SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today applauded the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) announcement of the approval of $15.8 million for grants to acquire conservation easements covering more than 62,000 acres of Tejon Ranch:
“In 2008, we reached an historic conservation agreement that protected both the environment and the ongoing operations of Tejon Ranch. That day, I said my Administration would do the work necessary to assist the plan to come to fruition, and I want to thank the board for taking another step toward protecting this California treasure. These grants are a vital step to maintaining the largest ever privately-conserved parcel of land.”
The WCB approved $15,800,000 for five grants to the Tejon Ranch Conservancy to acquire five conservation easements covering approximately 62,003 acres for the protection of significant natural landscapes and wildlife linkages and corridors, south of the city of Bakersfield and north of the city of Los Angeles, adjacent to Interstate 5 and State Highway 138.
The Governor is committed to building California’s conservation legacy. On May 5, 2008, the Governor visited Tejon Ranch to announce a historic agreement among the Tejon Ranch Company, conservation and environmental groups that will permanently preserve up to 90 percent of the expansive 270,000 acre ranch.
Since taking office the Governor also:
Designated 40,000 acres of the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve as a California Natural Landmark. Last month, 40,000 acres of the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve became the first landmark to be designated through the California Natural Landmarks program.
In 2006, the Governor signed AB 2900 by Assemblymember George Plescia (R-San Diego) to create this voluntary program. The goal of the program is to help preserve the ecological and geographical characteristics of California while helping protect history and natural heritage.
Finalized the 82,000 acre Hearst Ranch conservation plan. In February 2005, the Governor announced that the Hearst Corporation, American Land Conservancy and California Rangeland Trust partnering with the state had closed escrow on a conservation plan for Hearst Ranch. The plan preserved 128 square miles of pristine rangeland and is one of the most significant coastal land gifts ever made to the State of California.
