Press Room
Land Conservancy Works To Preserve a Portion of Eagle Creek Ranch
By Staff Report — Atascadero News
November 24, 2007
The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County has entered into a negotiating agreement to protect the agricultural heritage and ensure the continuation of a portion of the Eagle Creek Ranch as a longstanding family operation, a release issued by the organization said.
The Smith family has owned the ranch, located just south of Atascadero, since 1964. The family, which has continuously managed the area as a working cattle ranch and wildlife refuge since its purchase, has now entered into a conservation agreement with the land conservancy for a 3,000-acre portion of the approximately 6,000-acre ranch.
"We are truly honored by the trust that the Smith family has demonstrated in agreeing to work with the land conservancy for the long term protection and stewardship of their beautiful ranch," Bob Hill, the non-profit organization's conservation director, said in the release. "The natural, scenic and agricultural characteristics of the property represent the exact same values that are articulated in our mission statement — it couldn't be a better fit for us."
The land conservancy was founded in 1984 under the auspices of protecting and restoring land in SLO County with agricultural, environmental, scenic and cultural values. Since the group's formation it has permanently protected more than 9,000 acres of land in SLO County.
According to the land conservancy, the agreement will also shelter diverse oak woodlands and preserve natural plant communities as well as the headwaters of several local creeks. Eagle Creek Ranch is bordered by U.S. Forest Service land to the north and south and thus would "help create a larger mosaic of protected private and public lands in the Santa Lucia Mountain Range," the release said.
"The further back into the ranch you go the more wild it gets," Hill said. "Surely this land represents what the California of old must have looked like."
According to Hill, the conservation agreement will retire "significant development potential" while allowing for continued cattle ranching, natural resource protection and possibly limited public access where it is deemed appropriate.
"Three generations of our family have been fortunate enough to enjoy this unique property and we are excited by the opportunity to protect its most important features for future generations," Greg and Jeff Smith said in the release. The family has also discussed making other portions of the ranch, which include existing lots from the Atascadero Colony, a part of the city of Atascadero. The land conservancy and Smith family expect to finalize the conservation agreement in late 2008.