The Nature Conservancy will receive a $10 million grant from the state of California to make improvements to land on the Point Reyes National Seashore that originally belonged to family ranchers.
Earlier this year, a dozen livestock producers agreed to a settlement with The Nature Conservancy to end beef and dairy cattle ranching at the seashore. In return, the group planned to work with the National Park Service on “natural resource restoration projects” on the former ranchlands. The settlement came to fruition following years of conflict with environmental groups about ranching operations and the management of tule elk.
Now, a recent report by The Press Democrat details that The Nature Conservancy is to receive $10 million from the state for fencing and water infrastructure improvements. However, the appropriations were added to the state budget in June 2024, six months prior to any signed settlement. Ranchers told The Press Democrat that they were unaware of any discussions about grant funds from the state.
Senate Bill 108, signed June 29, 2024, by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), reads that of $10,200,000 appropriated to the Wildlife Conservation Board, $200,000 was targeted for studying wildlife corridors, and “Of the funds appropriated in this item, $10,000,000 shall be available for Point Reyes.”
