Contact: Brian Steen
(650) 968-4509

State Adds Redwood Park Land Funding
Dilemma May Delay Public Access

Sempervirens Fund, California's oldest land conservancy has agreed to sell its remaining 1,069 acres of the San Lorenzo River Redwoods to the California Department of Parks and Recreation for the bargain price of $2.785 million. The deal was accepted by the State Public Works Board at its meeting on October 8th, 2004 following intense negotiations.

This purchase was the second and final phase of this project. Phase One involved 277 acres for which the State paid $2.215 million. Altogether, Sempervirens Fund will be selling 1,346 acres of prime redwood forest to increase the size of Castle Rock State Park by 37%. Sempervirens paid over $12 million for this property, financed by 15,283 generous private sector donations, and will sell it to the State for a bargain price of $5 million. The State's funding will come from conservation funding approved in recent Park Bonds passed by the voters of California.

"It is a great deal for the people of California," said Brian Steen, Sempervirens Fund Executive Director. "Park visitors will come from all over the world to see these magnificent redwood forests. Adding this natural treasure to the California state park system is the first crucial step to protecting it in perpetuity and making it available for people to enjoy."

Planning for public access will begin immediately. However, full implementation of public access is being delayed by the State Department of Finance's current policy prohibiting the use of state money to cover operating costs of newly acquired parkland.

This policy nearly derailed the purchase of the San Lorenzo River Redwoods. State Parks official Dave Vincent, Superintendent for the Santa Cruz District, is working with Sempervirens Fund to find a solution. Vincent says, "We're being challenged to find the resources needed to manage and protect the San Lorenzo River Redwoods without any additional operating money from Sacramento."

Sempervirens Fund, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has traditionally focused on preserving critical land by purchasing property from willing sellers. The Fund's mission is to protect the natural character of the Santa Cruz Mountains and help provide for appropriate public access.

Sempervirens Fund will use the proceeds of this sale to replenish its Opportunity Fund to preserve more redwood forestland.