Carmel Magazine

After exploring the Preserve's backcountry trails and old-growth redwoods, Thiele pur- chased a home on an oak-dotted ridge framed by San Clemente Creek. Since then, she's partic- ipated in wildflower walks, redwood research demonstrations, trout spotting strolls and plant- ing projects. Each is organized by the Santa Lucia Conservancy, the nonprofit land trust that sup- ports conservation efforts across the 20,000- acre Preserve. "To live somewhere with an organization so committed to learning about the land, protect- ing habitats, and helping us all become good stewards of this place we call home is remark- able," says Thiele. This year, the Santa Lucia Conservancy cele- brates 25 years of stewardship, community engagement and environmental research. Staff members work with residents like Thiele to implement science-based land management plans that prioritize habitat health, biodiversity and wildfire safety. From removing invasive weeds to installing owl boxes to monitoring wildlife with cameras placed on individual prop- erties (Thiele's lenses have filmed bobcats, deer, wild boar, California mice, mountain lions, a blue heron and a bear), the Conservancy team aims to be a resource for homeowners and the broader community. "The Santa Lucia Preserve supports roughly 12.5 percent of the Carmel watershed, so the conservation work that we do in partnership with our landowners sustains and benefits the 156 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 0 Photo: Kyle Meyer, Santa Lucia Conservancy Over 40,000 children have par- ticipated in the Conservancy's free education programs since 1999, many ran by educator Julie Sigourney, pictured here. Photo: Christy Fischer, Santa Lucia Conservancy Dr. Christy Wyckoff in the field with interns Avery Calhoun and Katie Mung, measuring the impact of conservation grazing in helping restore native grasslands. Early indications show an increase in native species where targeted cattle grazing was applied.

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