Preserve Tejon Ranch as a new Natural Park

November 22, 2009 Subject: Preserve Tejon Ranch as a New Natural Park Please work to preserve the Tejon Ranch, one of the state's most valuable unprotected natural areas, as a new National or State park. The intact habitats, healthy watersheds, majestic scenery and unpolluted streams of Tejon Ranch are an important public resource. Because of its unique natural resources, importance for the California condor, and role as a critical wildlife corridor, Tejon Ranch should be the state's highest priority for protection of private wildlands. I urge you to work with conservation groups to maintain the biological values of Tejon Ranch, and to insure that this vital part of our natural and cultural heritage does not become a victim of more urban sprawl. The loss of the Tejon Ranch to inappropriate development is not necessary. We can preserve this important part of California's natural heritage while allowing sensible development in appropriate areas of the Ranch. I urge you to work to secure and preserve at least 245,000 acres of Tejon Ranch as a state or national park for the enjoyment and benefit of future generations. We will add your signature from the information you provide.		First Name* Last Name* Email* Street* Street 2 City* State/Province* Select a state Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware D.C. Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Armed Forces (the) Americas Armed Forces Europe Armed Forces Pacific Alberta British Columbia Manitoba Newfoundland New Brunswick Nova Scotia Northwest Territories Nunavut Ontario Prince Edward Island Quebec Saskatchewan Yukon Territory Other Zip/Postal Code* Send an Email
The time has come to preserve southern California's largest and most valuable unprotected natural area. Tejon Ranch is a hotspot for biological diversity and haven for rare and endemic species, ancient oak trees, condors, rare native plant communities, intact watersheds and streams, and wildflower fields. Tejon Ranch contains California's richest tapestry of natural habitats, wildlife and plants due to its location at the convergence of four "eco-regions" – the Great Central Valley, Mojave Desert, Sierra Nevada and South Coast. Tejon is home to as many as 20 state and federally listed protected species, and is designated as critical habitat for the California condor. The ranch is surrounded by protected public and private land and is a crucial biological connection for mountain lions, deer and numerous other animals between the Sierra, Coast Range and desert. Although no comprehensive land use plan has ever been prepared, the Tejon Ranch Company has recently proposed a series of urban sprawl developments that jeopardize the key natural and cultural features of Tejon Ranch. "Tejon Mountain Village" is a massive development proposed for the western side of Tejon Ranch near Lebec. The development would convert 28,500 acres of oak studded mesas and canyons on the west side of Tejon Ranch, wildlands essential to the survival and recovery of the endangered California condor, into a sprawling upscale resort. Tejon Mountain Village would include 3,450 residential units, 750 hotel units, four golf courses and 160,000 square feet of commercial space around Castac Lake, an area of the ranch important for the condor. Tejon Ranch Company also recently proposed the 11,600-acre "Centennial Development," at 23,000 homes one of the largest single development projects ever considered in California, as well as the 1,100-acre Tejon Industrial Complex East. It is possible to allow reasonable development on appropriate portions of Tejon Ranch while still preserving its world-class natural heritage. Conservation biologists estimate that approximately 245,000 acres of the Tejon Ranch should be preserved to ensure that ecosystem processes are maintained. Only a fraction of this land would be preserved under the Tejon Ranch Company's current set-aside proposal and much of the critical habitat for the condor would be destroyed or altered. The Center is campaigning to have the state of California or the federal government purchase and preserve Tejon Ranch as a new National or State park, to insure that this vital part of our natural and cultural heritage does not fall victim to more urban sprawl. A new Tejon Natural Park would preserve rich examples of California's natural heritage, situated at the joining of five geomorphic provinces and containing more than 23 different types of natural habitats. The park would also protect many Native American sacred sites, a bounty of native plant and animal communities, scenic views, and cultural and historic features. Tejon Natural Park would be a place for rejuvenation and enjoyment, and a step back in time, where visitors could appreciate unspoiled wilderness, hike trails, picnic in the shade of ancient oaks, view majestic condors and glimpse California landscapes as they were found more than 100 years ago. For more information about the Center's efforts to protect Tejon Ranch and the importance of the ranch to condors, visit our Tejon Ranch Web page.