Vol. 26 No.
2 - Spring 2010
Upcoming
Events
DISAPPEARING
DESTINATIONS
Photo Slideshow &
Book Signing
Enjoy a first-hand account
from author Kim Lisagor of
world-renowned destinations
in peril and how we can help.
Earth Day -Thur. April 22nd
6:30-8pm
Land Conservancy Gardens
547 Marsh St., SLO
$5 suggested donation for
LCSLO members/bicyclists;
$10 for others
DuneQuest 2010
The Land Conservancy and
partners invite you to this free
educational symposium!
Thur-Fri. May 6-7th
8am-4pm
No. & So. County locations
dunescenter.org
Art After Dark
View and purchase original
artwork by Jessie Skidmore
with 25% of sales going to
The Land Conservancy.
Fri. May 7th
6-9pm
547 Marsh St., SLO
jessieskidmore.com
Bike Breakfast
May is Bike Month!
Start your day off with a
Bikers Breakfast Bonanza!
Thur. May. 20th
7-9am
Land Conservancy Office
547 Marsh St., SLO
Octagon Barn
Open House
Sun. July 4th
1-4pm
4559 S. Higuera St.
$5 suggested donation
New Director to Lead LCLSO
The Land Conservancy is pleased to announce Bob Hill as its new Executive Director,
following Brian Stark’s recent decision to step down in order to be closer to his family.
Over the course of The Land Conservancy’s 25-year history, other former Executive Direc-
tors have included John Ashbaugh (1984-1991) and Ray Belknap (1991-2004).
Bob has served as Conservation Director under the
Board of Trustees since 2004 and has significantly ex-
panded the scope and scale of the land conservation
department during that time. Bob joined The Land
Conservancy as an intern in 2001 while at Cal Poly
working on his Master’s degree in City and Regional
Photo by Kaila Dettman
Planning. As an intern, Bob updated the San Luis
Obispo Greenbelt plan and was hired as a full-time
employee upon completing his graduate studies.
“It’s a great feeling to have started off as an intern,
then join the staff, followed by a leadership role,
and to now have the trust and support of the
Board and our community to lead our local land
Bob on a recent site visit to Janet Andrews’
trust into the future.” - Bob Hill, Executive Director property along San Luis Obispo Creek.
Previously, Bob earned his Bachelor’s degree at UC
Santa Cruz and then worked for several years at a community bank where he learned real es-
tate and finance doing construction loans and commercial mortgages.
The Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Bob as the new Executive Director without
hesitation. “Bob has tremendous composure, diplomacy and conservation experience.
He is directly responsible for our organization’s recent land protection successes and
we are thrilled to have him at the helm of our organization.” - Gary Felsman, President.
As Conservation Director, Bob oversaw more than $15 million worth of important conserva-
tion projects countywide. He more than doubled our conservation holdings in the Fern Can-
yon area of Cambria; completed key conservation projects in Black Lake Canyon and the
Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes while serving as a chair of the Dunes Collaborative; helped forge
a successful conservation partnership with the Dana Adobe Nipomo Amigos and County
Parks; continued The Land Conservancy’s long-standing efforts working together with the
City of San Luis Obispo; and helped pioneer Camp San Luis Obispo’s Army Compatible Use
Buffer Program to further the San Luis Obispo Greenbelt.
In the Executive Director role, Bob sees a future for the organization that includes focusing
on the conservation of agricultural lands and local food production, embracing the Octagon
Barn as a signature project, and continuing our land restoration and stewardship activities.
Ensuring The Land Conservancy’s permanence and long-term sustainability are also hall-
marks of Bob’s vision.
In his spare time, Bob enjoys hiking, camping, canoeing, skiing, and rock climbing, while
playing and listening to jazz music fills his creative side. Bob lives on Terrace Hill in San Luis
Obispo with his wife, Jaime, their twin baby boys, Albert & Oscar, and their chocolate lab,
Barnum.
 Forbes Gift Boosts Octagon Barn Center Plans
The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County is pleased to announce a substantial donation by the Forbes
Family Fund which significantly boosts efforts to complete the Octagon Barn Center project. The Forbes’ generous
gift will support our endeavor to successfully usher the project through the County’s Conditional Use Permit (CUP)
process and ultimately bring the site closer to opening for community use. The Octagon Barn Center is envisioned as
a community gathering place to promote local agriculture, history, recreation and sustainability.
Land Conservancy leaders expect the permit process to take most of 2010.
“We are hopeful that we might be able to grade the site in spring 2011
and complete construction of other site amenities shortly thereafter.
The Forbes Gift is an incredible endorsement of our vision and truly
THE enabling gift for the CUP process.” -BK Richard, Project Manager
and Land Conservancy Board Trustee.
Although the Barn structure has been physically restored, a variety of studies
and site improvements are required by the County of San Luis Obispo before
allowing public use of the property. Just like all other private landowners, The
Land Conservancy must formally review and plan for fire safety, ADA accessi-
bility, water and electric usage, traffic patterns, event parking, drainage, ero-
sion and a variety of other occupancy contingencies. We must provide study
reports on possible impacts to biological, cultural and historic resources.
These essential components of the process are both time-consuming and
costly which underscores the importance of private support from Bert & Candace Forbes.
Land Conservancy leaders continue to seek out donors and partners to subsidize additional critical site infrastructure.
As a community amenity, the site will provide public access for biking, short trail walks and meetings. If you haven’t
been to the Barn or would like a tour of the site, join us for an Octagon Barn Open House on July 4th from 1-4pm.
Anyone interested in donating, sponsoring or making a special memorial gift should contact Wende David, Director of Development at
(805) 544-9096.

Future of Froom Ranch Looks Sunny

With overwhelming support from the community, the Froom Ranch Open Space campaign is well under way! But as
this newsletter goes to print, the project is still nearly $10,000 short of its goal.
More than 200 individuals and businesses have made donations—from $2 to $10,000—to protect Froom Ranch as
community open space. This 310-acre property includes rich wildlife habitat, sweeping views of the Morros, and exist-
ing trail infrastructure. Adjacent to the existing Irish Hills Reserve, the conservation of Froom Ranch will expand the
reserve to over 1,000 acres and allow for a series of new trails. You can help by sending your donation to The
Land Conservancy or giving online at www.LCSLO.org. Any funds raised beyond the Froom Ranch project goal
will go to The Land Conservancy’s Visionary Vistas Fund for future land purchases.

We have especially enjoyed the generous and lov-

ing donations made to Froom Ranch in memory of
Photo by Marlin Harms

the late William McWhinney. William’s love for

local lands did not go unnoticed. William’s daugh-
ter, Carol, was instrumental in permanently pro-
tecting Black Lake and other dune lakes in South
County during the 1990’s when she worked for the
CA Coastal Conservancy. Special thanks and apprecia-
tion to the McWhinney Family and those who donated in William’s memory.
Page 2
 Don & Mary Smith Support SLO Greenbelt
At 86 and 91 years old respectively, Mary & Don Smith are one of the most forward-thinking couples in San
Luis Obispo. The Smiths recently donated $10,000 to The Land Conservancy and another $10,000 to the City of
SLO for the Froom Ranch Open Space acquisition project. Until about ten years ago, their political activism, espe-
cially Don’s frequent appearances at public hearings, made them a household name among community leaders.
Today they’re making waves again in an effort to inspire others to think big about supporting local land conserva-
tion.
Both Mary and Don were raised on small family farms in Ohio where
they learned to love and value land. Because Don’s family didn’t have
electricity, he rigged their windmill to a generator to run the lights in the
house, barn and chicken coop. He still doesn’t understand why he was

Photo by Wende David

forced to take a bath every Saturday night only to get dirty and sweaty
hiking into the hills the next afternoon to check on the sheep out at pas-
ture. But he admits that it might have been good practice for the 500
miles that he and Mary have since hiked in the High Sierras.
Don earned an engineering degree and worked in electrical, radio and
aerospace engineering with military installations across the country.
Mary & Don Smith donated $20,000 towards
Mary raised their two boys and consistently volunteered at their school the permanent protection of local lands.
and scout troops outings. Since moving to San Luis Obispo in 1973 to
escape the smog of L.A., they’ve been instrumental in supporting conservation by helping elect environmentally-
friendly City & County representatives and by speaking out at thousands of public hearings. “I think I’ve at-
tended more meetings than most of the city and county staff members,” joked Don. With his eyesight and
hearing deteriorating, today Don regrets not being able to stay active in local politics. Instead, he and Mary chose
to “do what we could by contributing a small amount to the good work of The Land Conservancy.”
The Smiths recognize the importance of local land conservation primarily for protection of our County’s rich soils
and natural beauty. But they are quick to point out that “saving land also saves wildlife and saves the air
quality at the same time.” I think Mary summarized their approach to land conservation best when she suc-
cinctly noted, “If we don’t save it, it’s gone forever.”
In total, The Smiths donated $20,000 with half going to the City’s Froom Ranch Open Space purchase and the
other half to The Land Conservancy’s Conservation Impact Fund.
“We are doing this for future generations, not for ourselves. We want to set an example and make sure
there is something left for them to see.” - Don & Mary Smith

In Memory of Dean Morgridge

The Land Conservancy was deeply saddened by the passing of Dean Morgridge,
a generous conservation supporter and community member. As a RAM (Retired
Active Men) Taster, he helped coordinate and sponsor community programs.
Dean was also a champion of native plants and creating landscapes that blend in
with the natural ecosystem. Further, Dean and his wife Patty Ann were the single
largest community contributors to the 2006 Collaborative Conservation Project which
permanently protected more than 700 acres of important lands in the greenbelt
surrounding the City of San Luis Obispo. We would like Patty Ann and The
Morgridge Family to know that Dean’s legacy will continue forever in the lush
grass, sprawling oaks and wildlife that thrives on the very lands he helped conserve here in San Luis Obispo.
Special thanks to all those who donated in honor of Dean —especially his fellow RAM Tasters.
Page 3
 New Leaders, Renewed Energy
As the newly appointed Executive Director, one of Bob Hill’s first key decisions was to re-structure the organiza-
tion by distributing responsibility among existing leadership staff, while concentrating authority in a single Executive
Director. (Formerly two co-directors each directly served the Board of Trustees and supervised different program staff.)
Kaila Dettman now serves as Deputy Director overseeing the organiza-
tion’s fiscal budgeting, day-to-day operations and managing the restoration
program and its staff. Daniel Bohlman, as Director of Conservation
Science, is responsible for the stewardship, management and protection
of all the Conservancy’s conservation and restoration lands. Wende
David is stepping up as Director of Development to manage private

Photo by Melissa Sparks

fundraising, community relations and Board development.
“The Board of Trustees supports this strategic restructuring of staff
and is pleased to recognize the talent and experience of our existing
staff leadership. Bob, Kaila, Daniel and Wende are all extremely
professional and accomplished young leaders with an unparalleled
amount of energy for the work ahead..” - Lisa Wise, Vice President
(L to R) Daniel Bohlman, Wende David, Bob
In nearly four years at The Land Conservancy, Kaila Dettman has suc- Hill, and Kaila Dettman lead LCSLO.
cessfully won multi-million dollar contracts and supervised the implemen-
tation of major restoration projects that further the organization’s mission and also generate funds for overall opera-
tions. She holds a B.S. in Animal Science with a minor in Rangeland Resources and a M.S. in Watershed Hydrology
and Soil Conservation from Cal Poly. She is also a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC)
and currently serves as co-chair of the Dunes Collaborative.
Daniel Bohlman has served The Land Conservancy for nearly five years during which time he implemented formal
scientific monitoring protocols, elevated our profile among the scientific community, and monitored all conservation
properties to insure that conservation values were protected. He holds a B.S. in Ecology and Systematic Biology
from Cal Poly with a concentration in Botany. Daniel currently chairs the Dunes Collaborative Restoration Task
Force and is a member of the Morro Bay Natural Estuary Program’s technical advisory committee.
Wende David has grown The Land Conservancy’s private annual fundraising by nearly 200% over the last 4 years
and has helped increase awareness of the organization’s local community impact. She holds a B.S. in Environmental
Policy & Behavior from the University of Michigan and currently serves as the Chair of the SLO Chamber’s Sustain-
ability & Resources Committee and as a volunteer grant reader for United Way.
All four of The Land Conservancy’s new directors are younger than 35 and represent a new generation of conserva-
tionists that both value the hard-won advancements of previous conservation champions and recognize the dynamic
land-use challenges of the future. As emerging young leaders, they all share a keen sense for successful community
collaboration and leveraging staff talents through teamwork.

The Land Conservancy also welcomes new staff member, Carlos Torres, who
implements field tasks at our restoration sites as Project Coordinator. Carlos was
born and raised in Puerto Rico. He attended the University of Puerto Rico to
study Horticulture and then transferred to the University of Hawaii where he
earned a BS in General Agriculture and Tropical Forestry. Carlos worked on the
Big Island in a native plant nursery and surveying rare plants before moving to San
Clemente Island to grow native plants for a restoration project.
Graduate school at Cal Poly brought Carlos to San Luis Obispo, where he has
been studying and restoring rare plant species in the Guadalupe dunes for his Mas-
ters in Biology. For the past few summers he has been working in the Sierra Nevada, studying fens and rare plant
species. His other interests include traveling, surfing, reading, yoga, politics, and organic farming.
We wish a fond farewell to Restoration Specialist, Leah Lippe, who helped implement our mission by removing
major invasive plant infestations and planting thousands of natives. Thank You! Page 4
 Enhancing Carillo and Adobe Creeks
The only appreciative audience on a daily basis might be an elegant pair of Red-Tailed Hawks or a curious family of
deer. Rain might complicate planting the remaining shrubs and trees in the heavy clay which sticks to our boots and
clumps so tightly we can’t fill the holes. The auger might break, the irriga-
tion system may blow out, or one particular species may refuse to germi-
nate from seed. These are the constant challenges of our restoration pro-
jects.
Yet the same rain that leads to sticky boots brings welcome sustenance to
the plants that have already been carefully placed in strategically dug holes.
Despite soggy weather and occasional repairs, we persist! Above all, it is
the hawks, the delicate emerging grasses and wildflowers, the future vision
for a working landscape in harmony with nature, that make the little pro-
ject hurdles and all the hard work worthwhile.
Restoration Crew Leader, Melodie Grubbs,
These challenges and the lessons they teach have helped The Land Conser-
(left foreground) shows CCC members how to
vancy establish itself as a leading restoration specialist in San Luis Obispo properly install plants at the restoration site.
County. The extensive academic, professional and field experiences of our
veteran staff have earned the respect of other field professionals and encouraged
trust as we pioneer new techniques.
Our staff has been working diligently to install over 6,400 native trees and shrubs
and 160 pounds of native grass and wildflower seeds on Carillo Creek and Adobe
Creek across Nipomo Creek from the historic Dana Adobe. This winter and spring,
as Part II of this three-phased project, the largest planting effort the Land Conser-
vancy has ever installed at one time was completed. We did not do it alone. Grow-
ing Grounds, Grizzly Academy youth, the Dana Adobe Nipomo Amigos
(DANA), the California Conservation Corps, the Northern Chumash, and
many other community members and volunteers played important roles in making
this restoration installation a success.
The goals of this project are to restore wildlife habitat, reduce erosion, improve wa-
Restoration Specialist, Nate Reiss,
(right) helps a CCC member drillter quality, and increase infiltration along Nipomo Creek. By planting California
holes for thousands of plants.natives, we are setting the stage for improved soil health and stability and for estab-
lishing sustainable food sources for wildlife. A healthy stand of grasses, wildflowers,
shrubs, and trees along the stream corridor will buffer these freshwater tributaries from future grazing and farming
activities on the site.
“This project truly emphasizes how we achieve complete conservation
by protecting and enhancing a special place for community benefit.
We look forward to stewarding the site in the coming years and
observing its evolution from young trees and tiny new shrubs to a
mature stream corridor filled with life.” - Kaila Dettman, Deputy Director

This project is funded by the Department of Fish and Game’s Office of Spill Prevention &
Response and the California State Coastal Conservancy via Oil Spill Settlement Funds.
In-kind project support is provided by the California Conservation Corps.
Special thanks to the hard-working local CCC crews, like those shown at right.

Page 5
 No Santa Margarita Child Left Inside
Learning Among the Oaks, an extremely successful environmental education program, is celebrating 5 years of an
innovative partnership between teachers & families of Santa Margarita Elementary School, private landowners of
Santa Margarita Ranch, program funders from Wildlife Conservation Board & UC-Cooperative Extension and support
from The Land Conservancy of SLO County. This spring members of the Native Tree Committee and other special
guests are being treated to a “best of the trail” anniversary hike which will showcase the range of experiences that
Santa Margarita’s students and their families have enjoyed during the program’s first five years, and talk about the im-
pacts of the program for the school and community. Selected 6th & 7th grade students who are trail alumni will serve
as trail ambassadors.
Learning Among the Oaks (LATO) educational coordination is supported by Cal Poly interns, Casey Dilg and Ra-
chel McDowell, volunteer Carol Sinsheimer, and Program Director, Beverly Gingg. LATO is supported by 2005-08
and 2009-11 grants from the California Wildlife Conservation Board to the San Luis Obispo County University of California Coopera-
tive Extension.

Santa Margarita Community Forestry is another local program, supported entirely

by volunteers, that focuses on a Demonstration Forest at the elementary school. For-
est intern/Cal Poly graduate student Kevin Osborne recently trimmed the trees and
checked the overall health of the forest, while Sharon Drake and Betty Williams
worked with their classes on adopt-a-tree Easter decorations. Spring plantings are
being planned for the Demonstration Forest and the site is in need of weeding too.
Special thanks to Cub Scout Pack #125, and the California Conservation Corps (Ben
and crew!) for invaluable help with maintenance jobs. Visit SMCF.org for informa-
tion on volunteering and how to get involved.
Our hat is off to Beverly Gingg for masterfully creating and growing this out-
standing LATO education program that provides hands-on experiences for hundreds
of children each year. We should also point out that Bev’s coordination of Santa
Margarita Community Forestry projects are voluntary through support from private donors and The Land Conser-
vancy.
As it turns out, we aren’t the only one who noticed Bev’s good work. Beverly Gingg was recently awarded the 2010
Barbara George Women in Philanthropy Award during the 36th Annual Women of Distinction Program.
Congratulations and thank you, Beverly, for your dedication and community spirit. You are truly an incredible woman!

Volunteer Profile: Ted Aclan

For most people riding a bicycle from Arroyo Grande to San Luis Obispo would not be considered fun. But Ted
Aclan isn’t most people. Born in the Philippines, he didn’t even learn to ride a bike until he was in high school.
“I like having an excuse to exercise my body and my mind. By riding my bike
from home to my volunteer job at The Land Conservancy once a week, I get to do
both. And I ride slow and have fun.” - Ted Aclan, Office Volunteer
The father of 2 children, Ted feels blessed to have raised his family in San Luis Obispo
County. Over the past four years he has volunteered with The Land Conservancy by
pulling weeds, watering plants and removing trash from our restoration sites. Now, Ted
helps out one day a week in the office assisting with out-going mailings, helping with fil-
ing and office projects, and providing general staff support.
Ted’s easy smile and quick jokes have endeared him to The Land Conservancy staff. Even more, his dedication and
commitment to his community and his health are an inspiration to all. Thanks for all your great help, Ted!
Page 6
 *Local Food Feature: DeRosier’s With the Grain
When The Land Conservancy purchased 18 acres of prime agricultural land along San Luis Obispo Creek from
Karin Argano in 2006, we had a distinct vision; enhance the riparian habitat and farm the property in a sustainable
way. Since that time our vision has expanded to consider how we might be able to use our property, not only to
provide quality habitat for wildlife and grow organic crops, but also to help these crops find their way into our lo-
cal community. Over the past few years, while the lands remained fallow to qualify for organic certification, we
searched for the right person to help us realize this vision. Enter John DeRosier.
In 2006 John DeRosier set out on a quest to bring local grain farming back
to San Luis Obispo County. Based in Paso Robles, John has been success-
fully growing and processing traditional grains such as wheat, oats, and bar-
ley using dryland (non-irrigated) and biodynamic farming practices, then
selling them through his wildly popular Community Supported Agriculture
(CSA) program, With the Grain.
After several successful seasons in Paso Robles, John made the decision to
expand his offerings to include quinoa, amaranth, sorghum, and other
grains. As these varietals are sensitive to the type of frost common to a

Photo provided by DeRosier

Paso Robles spring, John set out to find a new lease property with the quali-
ties needed to explore these grains.
This past winter The Land Conservancy’s Director of Conservation Science,
Daniel Bohlman, met with John at the Conservancy’s property. The two
walked the soggy fields, in the waning winter light, each sharing their vision
and considering how the two might come together at the site.
In March, John DeRosier signed a five year lease with The Land Conser- John DeRosier inspects his biodynamic qui-
vancy to biodynamically grow heritage grains on the Conservancy’s 18 acres. noa. He is dry-farming this and other grains
Additionally, John has agreed to provide outreach to local schools in an ef- on 18 acres of Land Conservancy lands.
fort to re-connect school children to the land and the crops that provide
their lunches. Both John and Daniel hope that one day these locally-grown grains will be found in those lunches.
For more information visit: www.withthegrain.org.
*This series features local Land Conservancy partners who help protect and steward local lands.

6 Ways to Support Local Agriculture

Biodynamic agriculture is a
method of organic farming that
emphasizes the holistic interrela-
tionship of the soil, plants, and
animals as a self-nourishing sys-
tem. It is thought by many to be
the most sustainable farming sys-
tem because it emphasizes a big-
picture approach that incorpo-
rates the health of the crops, soil,
land and farmer. You might
think of biodynamic agriculture as
“extreme organic farming”.
• Shop at Farmer’s Markets (find your local market at: slocountyfarmers.org) or look for
locally grown food in your grocery store. If you shop there frequently, encourage the
store to stock more locally grown produce and packaged foods made in SLO County.
• Join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program to receive a weekly or
monthly “share” of the farm. You may even be invited to tour or help at the farm!
• Eat at and recommend restaurants that feature locally grown, seasonal produce.
• Thank a farmer by introducing yourself and sharing why you appreciate them.
• Stay informed on policies that impact agriculture and let your elected officials know
what you think. Get ag smart by visiting slofarmbureau.org.
• Don’t trespass on private land! That includes mountain biking, picking fruits or vege-
tables, and casual hiking. This upsets landowners and gives others a bad rap.

Page 7
 Ten in ‘10 Initiative: 10,000 Native Plants in 2010
Winter rains made it abundantly clear how essential natural areas are to managing flooding and refilling freshwater
aquifers. The Land Conservancy is looking to further enhance our County’s natural areas by planting 10,000 new na-
tive plants during 2010. We are asking community members to help by planting natives at their own properties in or-
der to reach this goal.
Recent restoration plantings by our staff have already launched the goal past its half-way mark with over 6,400 natives
planted along Nipomo Creek and another 1,100 native plants installed at Black Lake Ecological Area in South County.
But thousands of additional natives still need to be planted by the end of 2010—and you can help!

Help Plant 10,000 Natives

Get 10% off Your Native Plant Purchases
1. Purchase native plants at “Ten in
Present this flyer to a staff member at the following locations to receive 10% ‘10” sponsoring businesses to receive a
off your total purchase of native plants as part of The Land Conservancy’s discount.
“10,000 in 2010 Initiative”. Discount excludes vegetables or non-native ornamentals. 2. Plant natives at your home, school
or church and report your numbers to
Ten in ‘10 Sponsoring Businesses The Land Conservancy.
Farm Supply—SLO 224 Tank Farm Road 3. Volunteer at a planting day with
Mon. – Fri. 7:30am– 6pm; Sat. 8am – 5pm The Land Conservancy (this fall) or
another organization and report the
Sage Eco Gardens & Nursery—Los Osos 1188 Los Osos Valley Rd. number of native plants your group
Mon. - Sat. 9am-5pm, Sunday 9am-4pm installed.
Growing Grounds *Nursery & Farm—SLO 3740 Orcutt Road 4. Tell others about the “Ten in ’10
Open 3rd Tuesday each month from 2-4pm! Native Plant” Initiative.
*Not valid at Downtown Store 5. Watch for news about success in
reaching our goal!

How Important is Local Agriculture?

As you drive around our County or stroll through Farmer’s Market, it is obvious Top 10 SLO County
that agriculture plays a lead role in our local economy. But how big is that role Value Crops
and what has it been like lately for our neighboring farmers and ranchers? 1. Wine Grapes all $166,378,000
The County’s Department of Agricultural recently released crop statistics for 2. Strawberries $73,198,000
2009. Total San Luis Obispo County crop values for 2009 are estimated at a 3. Broccoli $60,162,000
gross value of $623,095,000 compared to $602,922,000 for 2008. Despite the
4. Cattle and Calves $51,992,000
3% increase, some local farmers and ranchers have struggled to make ends meet
5. Vegetable Transplants
solely on their agricultural operations.
$33,207,000
“Many growers continued to feel the negative effects of the four year 6. Head lettuce $27,721,000
drought in 2009.” - Bob Lilley, County Agricultural Commissioner
7. Cut Flowers $25,026,000
Nevertheless, local food production continues to be a major economic engine 8. Indoor Decoratives
for San Luis Obispo County. In 2000 total crop values were estimated at a gross $18,430,000
value of $487,658,000. That means the local agriculture market has increased by 9. Cauliflower $13,618,000
more than $135M over the past 9 years.
10. Leaf Lettuce $12,313,000
We’d like to tip our hats to the hard-working men and women who support this industry, espe- More info at:
cially the many who steward our local lands in the process. Thank you for providing us with www.slocounty.ca.gov/agcomm
locally grown food & fiber.
Page 8
 Farewell Friends
from Brian Stark, Former Executive Director
In the 15 years I served with The Land Conservancy I’ve had the opportunity to work with so many generous and car-
ing people. Together we’ve had many great successes for conservation and restoration of important natural areas.
We’ve also had our challenges, but these helped us grow and improve our organization. So, it is with a bittersweet note
that I step down as Executive Director of The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County.
As many of you know, I was married last August to the love of my life, Amy. Our story
is a fun one. We have been friends for 38 years after meeting in first grade, and we were
even prom dates in middle school and high school. Reconnecting with Amy made a big
difference in my personal life and has brought me much happiness. After our marriage, I
moved to Thousand Oaks to join Amy and her two daughters, and I have been commut-
ing back here each week to serve The Land Conservancy. While I have always loved my
job here, I also miss being with my new family. My decision to relocate permanently is
really about my desire to be there for my family full-time.
The good news for me, beyond being closer to my family, is that I will be staying in the
conservation and restoration field as the Conservation Director for the Ojai Valley Land
Conservancy. The good news for The Land Conservancy is that our Board of Trustees
acted quickly to appoint my long-time colleague Bob Hill to succeed me as Executive Director.
With Bob at the helm of an incredibly talented staff, and our Trustees playing a very active role in our suc-
cess, I have complete confidence that the Conservancy is in good hands and our transition will be very
smooth. In fact, my decision to step down at this time was made easier by the strength of our organization.
I am proud of the projects I was able to work on here, and I’m proud of the professionalism our staff has brought to
the conservation field in San Luis Obispo County. I have most enjoyed working with so many passionate people and
valuable community partners. San Luis Obispo County will always hold a special place in my heart, like I know it does
for many of you. I still plan to be a frequent visitor and hope to make it back up here someday.
Lastly, I want to thank everyone I ever worked with here for your support and participation over the years. The Land
of SLO County is truly remarkable, but it is YOU that makes San Luis Obispo County special. Farewell!

Designing for People In Nature

Walt Bremer, Cal Poly Professor of Landscape Architecture, and over a dozen students of his Natural Environments
Design Focus Studio spent a quarter applying the integration of landscape ecology, sustainability and environmental planning
principles by designing a site plan for a property on the edge of Los Osos where The Land Conservancy has acquired two
parcels of land adjacent to Morro Bay State Park which will be transferred to State Parks.
The students developed innovative site designs that showed progressive thinking and thoughtful consideration of how to
invite the public to use the properties while at the same time protecting sensitive natural resources and providing educa-
tional interpretive opportunities. Special thanks to Walt Bremer and LA403 students, especially Christian Boehr (designs below)

Page 9
 Local People, Local Land
Lucia Casalinuovo’s 2nd-grade students from
Santa Maria brought native oak seedlings they grew
in their classroom to a Land Conservancy restoration
site in Nipomo to plant their science projects.

The Land Conservancy’s Annual Conservation Reception

Celebrated Good Times!

Brian Stark holds the

golden axe given to him
by the local CA Conser-
vation Corps in honor of
Marguerite Erickson his “commitment to
Dr. John Perrine , Trustee Beverly & Joan Goodall, El conservation at the
Gingg, & Chris Cummings Camino Artist Association CCC.”

Nearly 20 hikers joined Land

Conservancy Restoration
Ecologist, Mark Skinner, for a
guided wildflower walk on pri-
Mary Bettencourt, Margo Heekin-Clark, vate lands in the Guadalupe-
Lisa Bertrand & Charlotte Gorton Nipomo Dunes.

Director of Conserva-
tion Science, Daniel
Bohlman, and Restora-
tion Ecologist, Mark
Members of our Special Events & Fun Committee toast to a Skinner, perform
successful Annual Reception which they planned & coordi- transect monitoring at a
nated. Left to right, BK Richard, Carol Courcy, Teresa restoration site.
Tibstra, Valerie Endres, Bob Lindquist and Kathy
Cohon. Not pictured is Margaret Whitson. Page 10
 Earth Day “Edu-tainment”
There are certain truths we hold about our world: Glaciers top Mount
Kilimanjaro, the Amazon is rainforest, the Rio Grande is a river (and
it’s grand) ... As it turns out, these “truths” may not always be.
547 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
On Earth Day, we’re hosting renowned local author,
Kimberly Lisagor, for an educational and entertaining photo Board Of Trustees
slideshow featuring highlights from her ground-breaking book Gary Felsman, President
“DISAPPEARING DESTINATIONS: 37 Places in Peril and Lisa Wise, Vice President
What Can be Done to Help Save Them”. Kim will also debut Valerie Endres, Treasurer
plans for a television series and sign books. Beverly Gingg
$5 suggested donation for LCSLO members; $10 for others Pete Jenny
Herb Kandel
Penny Rappa
Special Thanks & Congratulations BK Richard
Ed Carson, Emeritus
Thank You
• Judith Hildinger for stepping in to perform essential office work on a short- Staff
term volunteer basis. Many, many thanks for your commitment, Judith! Executive Director: Bob Hill
• McWhinney Family and Morgridge Family for requesting memorial dona- Deputy Director: Kaila Dettman
tions in honor of loved ones be directed to The Land Conservancy. Development Director and Landlines
• Guy Hackman at K Jewel Radio 1400AM for recording and airing a profes- Editor: Wende David
sional radio promotion to raise funds for Froom Ranch Open Space. Director of Conservation Science:
Daniel Bohlman
Congratulations Conservation Projects Manager:
Margo Heekin Clark
• Teresa & Robb Tibstra on the birth of baby Penelope, our newest member! Business Manager: Crystal Elwood
• Beverly Gingg, recipient of the 2010 Barbara George Women in Philanthropy Award. Restoration Ecologist: Mark Skinner
• BK Richard, recipient of the Morro Bay National Estuary Program Outstanding Contri- Project Coordinator: Carlos Torres
bution Honoree. Membership Assistant:
Teresa Tibstra
Wish List Field Crew Leader: Melodie Grubbs
Restoration Specialists:
• Wheelbarrow (Good, working condition) Tim Cole, James Deutsch, Thomas
Miller, Nate Reiss
• Stereo Amplifier (30 watt output & phono/mike input; for Barn sound system)
Interns: Anthony Baniaga, Lidia
• Binoculars (8 x 42 and waterproof/non-fog; for field use) D’Amico, Fallon Frye, Christine
• Metal dairy stanchion and milking equipment (For historic display) Kempsell, Sarah McCutcheon,
Melissa Sparks
Donations are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated!
Call 544-9096 to discussion your donation. Thank you. Nipomo Chapter
Contact Herb Kandel at
hkandel@slonet.org
The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County Santa Margarita
is your local, non-profit land trust working to permanently protect and restore Community Forestry
local lands for the benefit of people and wildlife. Contact Beverly Gingg at
bgingg@smcf.org
LANDLINES is printed on recycled paper. Sign up for our eco-friendly on-
line newsletter and preview all the same great photos & stories in full color! Page 11
 P.O. Box 12206
SLO, CA 93406

Phone: 805-544-9096
Fax: 805-544-5122

Email: LC@LCSLO.org

w w w. L C S L O . o r g

YES! I would like to be a member of

The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County.
Name:__________________________Address: ______________________________
Annual Donor Fund In addition to membership, I will contribute to:
$_____Octagon Barn Fund
___ $1000 + Council Helps open this community icon for public use by 2011

___ $500 Guardian $_____ Visionary Vistas Fund

Allows us to act quickly on time-sensitive land opportunities
___ $250 Benefactor $_____ Healthy Lands Forever Fund
Supports restoration and stewardship of our special landscapes
___ $100 Patron $_____ Strength in Numbers Fund
Provides resources to connect our community with our mission
___ $50 Steward
E-mail me more info:
___ $30 Sustaining
h a nks ___________________ (we do not share or spam our email list)
T
r y our ___ $10 Student ____ I’d like to receive the newsletter via email
fo
p port! ___$____Other ____ Please email me about upcoming events & volunteering
su ____ Please email me about planned giving options

Membership is on an annual basis. All contributions are tax deductible. Please make checks payable to:
Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County - P.O. Box 12206 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406

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