Natural History Wanderings

An important step forward just happened with our Saunders Landing project, about 12 acres of land situated between Hearn Gulch and a Caltrans vista point, south of the city of Point Arena. Caltrans acquired this property for MLT and will restore the coastal prairie by removing invasive plants such as the ice plants, which cover most of the western headlands. MLT obtained title to this land on Friday, and will be moving forward with the planning of a new trail, adding approximately 0.4 miles of new coastal trail across the Landing.

The State Coastal Conservancy funded the required environmental studies, including archaeological and biological surveys. The Conservancy also supported the staff time needed to prepare permit applications and establish trail layout and designs.

The property will continue the state’s and MLT’s work to connect publicly accessible trails. In this case, it will add to the California Coastal Trail in southern Mendocino County, connecting Hearn Gulch to the Caltrans vista and, eventually, Schooner Gulch State Beach.

The Landing includes a perennial, class II stream—Hearn Gulch—and associated high-quality riparian habitats. It is three-quarters wetlands and contains sensitive upland plant communities that include coastal terrace prairie, northern bishop pine, northern coastal scrub, and coastal bluff scrub. It is also habitat for sensitive animal species, including the Sonoma tree vole (Arborimus pomo), shoulderband snails, and cormorant species.

Owning Saunders Landing will help MLT deliver its mission of conserving and restoring habitat, protecting scenic areas, and providing public access.