Midpen Open Space to Recognize Assemblymember Marc Berman for Securing $8 million for Purchase of Cloverdale Ranch
Contacts:
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District: Leigh Ann Gessner or Kori Skinner
(650) 691-1200, lgessner@openspace.org, kskinner@openspace.org
Assemblymember Marc Berman: Kaitlin Curry (916) 319-2024, Kaitlin.Curry@asm.ca.gov
Peninsula Open Space Trust: Robin Carr, (415) 971-3991, POST@landispr.com
LOS ALTOS, Calif. [January 26, 2021] — The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District board of directors is recognizing Assemblymember Marc Berman at their virtual public meeting at 7 p.m. tonight for the largest state budget allocation Midpen has ever received for a single project: $8 million for the proposed purchase of a portion of the open space and agricultural land called Cloverdale Ranch near Pescadero.
“This remarkable property is an ecological jewel that is vital to the Coastside’s natural environment and agricultural heritage,” Midpen General Manager Ana Ruiz said. “Purchasing the Cloverdale Ranch uplands to manage as public open space in perpetuity is one of the top 25 priority projects in Midpen’s community-supported Vision Plan, and aligns with our unique mission on the San Mateo County Coast.”
The property is made up of coastal terraces rising from the Pacific Ocean to the forested slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The land includes large tracts of biologically rich coastal grassland and coastal scrub habitats that support many rare grassland-dependent species such as the California red-legged frog, grasshopper sparrow, American badgers and more. Cloverdale is unique on the Coastside for its abundant water sources, both natural and man-made, that also support rare, threatened, and endangered wildlife while supplying needed water for farmers. Several creeks flowing through the property host coho salmon and steelhead trout.
Midpen, a public agency, is considering purchasing a 6,300-acre uplands portion of the larger Cloverdale Ranch from its nonprofit land trust partner agency, Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), which has been protecting land in the area since 1997. Midpen has until December 31, 2023 to use the $8 million in state funding that Assemblymember Berman secured through the state budget process.
“I’m so excited to play a role in preserving 6,300 acres of the beautiful Cloverdale Ranch,” said Assemblymember Berman. “I know that San Mateo County residents and all Californians will cherish the rich open space and ecological diversity for decades to come.”
POST has preserved and currently owns and manages the approximately 6,700-acre Cloverdale Ranch, including the 1-mile Wilbur’s Watch Trail that is open to the public and leads to a lookout point with views of the ocean and Pigeon Point Lighthouse. Like much of the San Mateo County Coast, Cloverdale Ranch has a rich agricultural heritage that continues today, and POST would retain approximately 400 acres of farmlands as part of their Farmland Program.
“Cloverdale has been a flagship project for POST in both size and positive environmental impact for decades,” POST President Walter Moore said. “At almost 13 square miles, Cloverdale is a true multi-benefit property that presents an opportunity for all of us - Midpen, ranchers, farmers and the public - to ensure that the natural resource benefits are fully realized for our region.”
The projected cost for Midpen to potentially purchase the Cloverdale Ranch uplands from POST is $16 million. This price reflects a significant discount from POST. The cost to Midpen would be offset by the $8 million general fund budget request by Assemblymember Berman, a grant allocation of $1.4 million from the California Department of Parks’ Recreational Infrastructure Revenue Enhancement Program and a $500,000 Measure K grant from San Mateo County, sponsored by Supervisor Don Horsley. Midpen continues to pursue additional grant funding to support the project.
Currently, Midpen is evaluating the property, and will be engaging with partners and the public about the potential purchase. Learn more and sign up to stay informed about this project via email at: openspace.org/cloverdale.
To view the proclamation and get details on how to join the virtual public meeting at 7 p.m. tonight please visit openspace.org/public-meetings.
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The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s mission is to acquire and preserve a regional greenbelt of open space land of regional significance in perpetuity, protect and restore the natural environment and provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. On the San Mateo County coast, our mission also includes preserving agricultural land of regional significance and rural character and encouraging viable agricultural use of land resources. Midpen has successfully protected more than 65,000 acres of public open space land in the Santa Cruz Mountains region since 1972. openspace.org
Assemblymember Marc Berman represents the 24th Assembly District, which includes southern San Mateo County and northern Santa Clara County in the heart of the Silicon Valley. Website of Assemblymember Marc Berman: www.assembly.ca.gov/Berman. Assemblymember Marc Berman’s official headshot is available here.