Public Lands Conservancy

Working Locally to Save Endangered Coho Salmon

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Coho Salmon Spawing
Coho Salmon Spawning

The Public Lands Conservancy (PLC) endorses the acquisition of the San Geronimo Golf Course for open space to be managed and restored as parkland and critical habitat protection for endangered coho salmon.

The acquisition will be orchestrated by the Trust for Public Land. The Trust has signed an option to purchase the 157 acre golf course and eventually turn it over to the Marin County Parks.

The PLC believes the acquisition has many benefits. It will provide: critical habitat for wildlife species, eliminate millions of gallons of irrigation water use, allow for the restoration of streamside riparian habitat, provide flooding relief to San Geronimo Valley residents, and add recreation opportunities such as hiking, wildlife viewing, and picnicking.

Importantly, the acquisition will provide additional protection for critically endangered coho salmon. It is one of the most important actions that can be taken to protect and restore coho salmon in Marin County. This unique run of coho salmon in Marin and other Central California counties has teetered on the brink of extinction.

The Golf Course lies at the headwaters of the Lagunitas Watershed that saunters 33 miles through magnificent Douglas fir, redwood, riparian, and live oak habitat. The San Geronimo, Lagunitas, and Devils Gulch Creeks support the largest wild run of coho salmon along California’s Central Coast. This area is considered to be one of the last refuges for wild coho salmon.  The lower sections of the watershed are protected by Samuel P. Taylor Station Park and Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Marin County has led the way in environmental protection on many fronts. This acquisition is destined to become yet another crown jewel of Marin County and a gift to the nation.

If you would like to support this acquisition, please write a note or letter by October 31, 2017 to Dennis Rodoni, Marin County Supervisor, at drodoni@co.marin.ca.us.

Don Neubacher, Public Lands Conservancy

Celebrate National Public Lands Day!

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National Public Lands Day is September 30, 2017

America’s public lands and waters are treasures that move our hearts and spirits. They create a setting for recreation, inspiration, education, challenge, contemplation, and renewal.

Bald Eagle, Northern California

These lands and waters are precious to us as Americans and are often described as: the best of the best, our magnificent heritage, the heart and soul of our nation, an amazing gift, and places where we can feel and see that the world is bigger than ourselves.

They encompass pristine forests, stunning mountains, endless vistas, clear blue sky, ocean reefs, islands, amazing estuaries, gorgeous coastline, tundra, wilderness, waterfalls, clear streams, grasslands, wildlife and plants, and historic sites that tell our American stories. In many communities, parks, forests, and wildlife refuges have become sustainable economic engines because of growing tourism.

Giant Sequoia Tree
Giant Sequoia National Monument

As Teddy Roosevelt, our 26th president,  stated so eloquently and wisely:

“We have fallen heirs to the most glorious heritage a people ever received, and each one must do his part if we wish to show that the nation is worthy of its good fortune.”

Public lands and marine sanctuaries are facing unprecedented challenges today: declining budgets, climate change, and overcrowding to name a few. Our public land managers are also facing an Administration that has indicated that it wants to roll back long established protections ensuring preservation of our treasured landscapes. For example, the Secretary of the Interior Zinke wants to increase oil and gas leases on public lands. Also, Secretary Zinke’s assault to reduce protections and size of ten current national monuments is discouraging.

Pacific white-sided dolphins. NOAA photo.

As President Roosevelt knew each one us must do our part to protect and preserve public lands. This year on National Public Lands Day join the team.  Do your part by pledging to do something for our natural and cultural heritage. This might include volunteering, contacting your public representatives, speaking out at a public meeting, donating to a specific cause, and thanking public servants that are working to protect our sacred landscapes.

Help us protect the “good fortune” Roosevelt described.  We have been given an enormous gift.  All of us must step up. The time to start is today.

Don’t hesitate. The future is in your hands.

Don Neubacher, Public Lands Conservancy