Coastside Land Trust (CLT)

Although CLT?s solution ? protection and restoration of bluff-tops ? improves Half Moon Bay?s resilience to climate change impacts, it was not originally conceived of and implemented for this purpose. In 1997, a key property on open bluff-tops was on the verge of being developed into condominiums. This particular development would have prevented public access to the bluffs and beach by blocking off an existing street ? the only one that leads to the ocean along a 3 mile stretch of the city?s coastline. It also would have blocked views of the ocean from an established (and well-to-do) neighborhood. Community members came together around this issue and formed partnerships with established conservation organizations (e.g., Sequoia Audubon, Peninsula Open Space Trust) and agencies (e.g., parks systems at the city, county and state levels) to get the word out about the loss of public access and open space. They approached their state assembly member to pass a bill that granted $2 million to the city to purchase the land. The new community organization, HMB Open Space Trust (now CLT), also raised $100,000 from the community to secure a conservation easement for the property from the city. The momentum from, and support for, this effort were strong enough to enable CLT to continue this work of permanently protecting open space. With community support, CLT has since expanded its scope of work beyond land acquisition, to include other activities that support its mission. These efforts include habitat restoration and long-term stewardship with the help of dedicated volunteers; community outreach and education through youth programs, wildlife events (e.g guided walks and workshops) and a gallery at our main street office that features coastal art and local artists. CLT?s land acquisition and ongoing financial support have been primarily driven by more affluent members of the community with access to more resources. And, frankly, members of the community who were more vulnerable (to the challenges identified in answer to question 1) were not actively engaged in the decision-making process that led to the development of this approach to land conservation during CLT?s formation. However, CLT is reaching out to vulnerable members of the community, and taking their needs into consideration in its decision-making. For example, CLT staff and volunteers lead environmental enrichment classes on the bluff-tops for Half Moon Bay elementary students ? many of whom come from low-income, non-English-speaking homes. This Junior Land Stewards program (begun in 2011) aims to foster connections and an understanding of the importance of stewarding our public lands for current and future generations. Additionally, CLT has designed a new segment of the California Coastal Trail on bluff-top land that it owns to be fully accessible to users of all abilities. It is also worth noting that CLT?s work protects existing and provides new, free recreation opportunities for all; many local and Bay Area residents do not have enough money and time to travel far, and they would not otherwise be able to enjoy the coast and ocean. This work ? protecting open space in perpetuity ? does not have a finish line. As a land trust, CLT must fulfill its ongoing obligations to manage and protect its existing fee title properties and conservation easements. CLT has also committed to being financially and organizationally prepared to acquire more bluff top open space ? by accepting land donations and purchasing properties. CLT?s experienced staff members oversee and facilitate several, fully integrated management systems to support these efforts. These include a Stewardship Advisory Committee that meets at least monthly, volunteer monitoring teams that carry out annual monitoring; current management plans for all properties and easements; a violation tracking and follow-up program. CLT relied on a few information sources to understand the climate impacts to the resources it manages, and the implications for the community. In planning a new segment of the California Coastal Trail on bluff-top land that it owns, CLT completed site assessments that addressed the following: ecologically sensitive areas; drainage and erosion patterns; exotic and invasive vegetation; connections to both the north and south; accessibility and safety; and scenic views and unique features. CLT has not completed its own climate change vulnerability and risk assessment. However, the County of San Mateo (in which Half Moon Bay is located) recently assessed climate change vulnerabilities (available at: http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/planning/rechargesmc/docs.html), and a member of CLT?s board of directors participated in this assessment. Information about existing threats and potential climate impacts to Half Moon Bay?s resources were developed from a combination of the information from the trail site assessment, long-term monitoring data collected by CLT on its managed lands, the County?s climate assessment and mapping done with the NOAA Sea Level Rise Viewer, along with local knowledge about community resources.