COASTAL CONSERVANCY ACTIONS
In October and November, the Conservancy approved projects that will extend hiking trails and wildlife corridors, add strategically important land to parklands, help sustainable grazing to continue, provide new campsites and affordable overnight rentals in coastal parks, begin construction on the largest wetland protection project ever undertaken in California, and accomplish other conservation and public access goals. The projects approved include the following, mostly funded with the help of Proposition 40 and other voter-approved bonds.

Jazzing up Crystal Cove
The ongoing restoration of the Crystal Cove Historic District at Crystal Cove State Park in Orange County has been a big hit with visitors. The 13 restored cottages there that are available for affordable overnight lodging are occupied more than 95 percent of the time.

Together, State Parks and the Crystal Cove Alliance have restored 22 historic structures in the district since work began in 2003. The restoration will continue with the help of $1 million in Proposition 40 funds from the Conservancy for a $6-million project that will include rehabilitation of three cottages as an "educational commons" and new whole-access pathways throughout the commons area; restoration of two more overnight rental cottages; conversion of one cottage into a museum and lifeguard station; restoration of the bank of Los Trancos Creek; and conversion of several garages into park facilities and another garage into a public restroom (there is now only one public restroom in the historic district).

These upgrades are expected to greatly increase the number of visitors, and to double the 4,000 students who come there annually to study California geology, biology, and environmental and earth sciences through the Crystal Cove Alliance's education programs.

More South Coast Wilderness
Citizens have worked for many years to create the South Coast Wilderness, a greenbelt along the Laguna Beach coast, much of which was once part of the Irvine Ranch. So far, the Wilderness comprises 20,000 acres. Soon 4.5 more acres will be added, with the purchase of the 4.5-acre Bunn property, next to Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, about a mile inland from the beach in the Laguna Canyon Creek watershed. The City of Laguna Beach will use $679,000 in Proposition 12 funds granted by the Conservacy for the purchase, which will protect coastal sage scrub habitat against development, expand public access, and connect trails to the regional network. This will be the ninth property purchased since 2003 with Conservancy funds for addition to the South Coast Wilderness.