POST Protects 26-Acre Coastal Bluff

POST and Coastside Land Trust Partner to Protect 26-Acre Coastal Bluff in Half Moon Bay

Expanding the California Coastal Trail & Exploring Safe Beach Access

(Palo Alto, Calif.)—Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) announced last week the purchase of a 26-acre property in Half Moon Bay, directly adjacent to POST’s 199-acre Wavecrest property. POST purchased the property in conjunction with the Coastside Land Trust (CLT) for $1,590,940 from the Halsted Family.

This acquisition will expand public access opportunities within the Half Moon Bay City limits, while protecting critical wintering habitat for raptors. Primarily coastal grass and wetland habitat, the property also provides habitat for endangered species like the red-legged frog.

“One day, there will be an uninterrupted 60-mile long California Coastal Trail through San Mateo County that enables us to experience the vast beauty of our coast. This acquisition represents a key step in helping us reach this goal,” said Rachael Lopes, POST Public Access Program Manager. Completing the California Coastal Trail in San Mateo County is one of POST’s regional trail priority projects.

CLT will immediately assume management responsibilities for the property and begin the process of transitioning the informal “social” trails on the property to become part of the California Coastal Trail. They will also explore the possibility of creating a new, safe beach access point on the property.

The Halsted family approached CLT who in turn, contacted POST, who provided the financial and technical support needed for CLT to complete the purchase and secure the opportunity to protect the property. “This has all happened very quickly. We would not have been able to purchase this property without POST and their ability to respond to timely opportunities like this one.” said Jo Chamberlain, Executive Director of the CLT.

CLT has already raised over $200,000 towards this project and is initiating a campaign to raise $230,000 in additional funds required in order to transfer the property and attain sole ownership of it.

This project is funded in part by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

About the Peninsula Open Space Trust
POST is a leading private, nonprofit land trust that protects and cares for open space, farms and parkland in and around Silicon Valley. Since its founding in 1977, POST has been responsible for saving more than 75,500 acres as permanent open space and parkland in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties. Visit openspacetrust.org for more information.

About the Coastside Land Trust
The Coastside Land Trust is dedicated to the preservation, protection and enhancement of the open space environment, including the natural, scenic, recreational, cultural, historical, and agricultural resources of Half Moon Bay and the San Mateo County coast for present and future generations. Visit www.coastsidelandtrust.org for more information.

About the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation fosters path-breaking scientific discovery, environmental conservation, patient care improvements and preservation of the special character of the Bay Area. Visit Moore.org and follow @MooreFound.