The dramatically beautiful Sonoma coast at Stewarts Point has been cared for by five generations of the Richardson family, since they settled here in the 1870s.  On June 29, 2010 the stewardship of the 871-acre coastal ranch was transferred to new owners, with the assurance that this historic environmental treasure will be protected forever. 

The Stewarts Point Ranch has been purchased by a partnership of conservationists, with Save the Redwoods League taking title with plans to transfer ownership to the Pacific Forest Trust in the near future.

The transaction was supported by many conservation-minded non-profit public and private contributors, with the plan that Pacific Forest Trust will manage the property as a working model of forest stewardship that sustains wood, water and wildlife.  Public access studies and planning will ultimately result in this spectacular coastline becoming a part of the California Coastal Trail.

With the prominent location of the land along the scenic coastal route, and the stunning panoramic views, there has been a lot of interest in the sale of the ranch. The listing broker, Bill Brown of Coldwell Banker Pacific Real Estate in Gualala, reports inquiries from prospective buyers ranged from Hollywood celebrities to foreign interests half a world away, as well as individual and corporate developers. Brown says “it has been a long effort to find the right buyer, but it’s well worth it to have come to such a beneficial conclusion for the whole community.” 

The ranch is rich in cultural history, being part of the historic “Rancho German” which was one of the last Mexican land grants, and has been important to the local Native American community. It has a heritage of stewardship among generations of the Richardson family, and active forest management for the past hundred years.

The land features 750 acres of well-managed, older coast redwood and Douglas-fir forest, abundant wildlife and a mile of stunningly beautiful coastal bluffs fronting the Pacific Ocean. The eastern boundary is along a significant stretch of the South Fork of the wild Gualala River, through an area that includes relic old growth redwoods, and is critical for salmon habitat.  There are also two sandy beaches and a seal rookery. Improvements include barns, water system, post office and several buildings clustered near Highway 1 at the intersection with Stewarts Point-Skaggs Springs Road.

The recently restored Stewarts Point Store is not included in the ranch sale, as it has been owned and operated independently since 2004 when it was purchased by other members of the Richardson clan.

Richardson family members will continue to lease a residence on the ranch property and be involved in property management, including the grazing of sheep and goats in the meadows and use of the barn to the west of Highway 1.

Public access and education opportunities will be central to the land’s management.  Because it is only 2.5 hours north of San Francisco, Pacific Forest Trust will be able to offer regular field trips, media tours and other in-the-forest experiences for the greater San Francisco Bay Area.

The public access planning is focused on the coastal terrace and bluffs west of Highway 1, and along the floodplain of the Gualala River. The goals are to ensure protection of sensitive habitat for wildlife and the on-going stewardship of Stewarts Point Ranch, while providing scenic enjoyment, hiking opportunities, and education about the resources and heritage of the working ranches of the Sonoma coast.

When studies and public input have been completed, the oceanfront bluffs are planned to ultimately be a portion of the California Coastal Trail.  This portion features an old barn and is leased for sheep grazing, a use which will continue with appropriate protections from possible impacts of public access. Additionally, California Fish and Game recently designated this portion of the coast as the Stewarts Point State Marine Reserve.

Public access will be carefully gauged and controlled to avoid degradation of conserved lands and the off-shore areas governed by the new marine protections. In addition, special considerations will be made to ensure public safety near busy Highway 1. Given physical access issues and likely public interest, Pacific Forest Trust currently anticipates that coastal access would consist of a designated trail area on the coastal bluff, and access along the Gualala River would be guided upon appointment.

Pacific Forest Trust plans to manage the property as a model forest, demonstrating stewardship forestry techniques that promote natural forest characteristics while providing a range of environmental benefits including sustainably harvested wood products, enhanced climate benefits from carbon sequestration, improved watershed quality and diverse wildlife habitat. A history of selective harvests on the property have left a legacy of mature redwood trees, which will be protected while conserving and restoring older forest habitat along the river floodplain, at the sag ponds on the San Andreas Fault, and in the older redwood stands.

Planning includes a biological assessment, and investigation of pre-historic and historic archaeological resources along the proposed trail route and staging/parking area, including search of the California Historical Resources Information System, and contact with the Native American Heritage Commission and local tribal representatives. Questions or comments on the public access plan can be directed to Jessica Neff, Stewardship Manager, Pacific Forest Trust at (415) 561-0700 ext. 26, or jneff@pacificforest.org.

Outreach to stakeholders in the region is beginning, with two public workshops planned. The first will be held July 22, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Sebastopol Veterans Hall (282 South High Street, Sebastopol, CA) in the Fireside Room.  The second workshop, anticipated for mid to late August 2010, will review a draft plan for public access.

The purchase of the historic coastal ranch was made possible by a partnership of Pacific Forest Trust with Save the Redwoods League, and funding support from the California State Coastal Conservancy, the Wildlife Conservation Board, the Sonoma County Agricultural Protection and Open Space District, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the Mary A. Crocker Trust and the Schulz Donor Advised Fund of Community Foundation Sonoma County, and others.  As Brown notes, “It was important to all that the new owners of the Stewarts Point Ranch are dedicated to preserving the legacy of the land.”

Each of the contributing non-profits as well as the interested agencies, other stakeholders and the public will provide input on the development of public access.  The plan will be compatible with the property’s continued management as a working ranch with a tradition of sustainable forest harvests.

This transaction has been a collaboration of conservation-minded efforts working in partnership on behalf of the environment and the public.  Along with the outstanding scenic beauty of the unspoiled coastline, there will be ecological and heritage values for future generations, with the continuing preservation of California’s beauty and natural resources.

For further information: http://www.pacificforest.org/news/index.html;
http://www.landpaths.org/index.cfm/page/Stewarts-Point-Ranch-public-planning-meeting-72210/