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The Nature Conservancy

In December 2017, The Nature Conservancy, through a generous philanthropic donation from Jack and Laura Dangermond, acquired over 24,000 acres of a former private ranch at Point Conception, California.

This unique natural area, now called the Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve, offers enormous opportunities for conservation, scientific research, education, and understanding of historical human ecology.

In acquiring the Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve, The Nature Conservancy’s first responsibility is to build a nature preserve capable of protecting this irreplaceable collection of natural and cultural resources for the benefit of future generations. We aim to do this through four main strategies.

Dangermond Preserve Strategies

In acquiring the Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve, TNC’s first responsibility is to build a nature preserve capable of protecting this irreplaceable collection of natural and cultural resources for the benefit of future generations. We do this through four main strategies. Click on the graphic to learn more.

Preserve

The Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve is an enduring nature preserve protecting intact and resilient natural and cultural resources—last-of-their-kind coastal ecosystems, natural communities and species, and significant cultural resources—at a dynamic, ecological crossroads between land and sea and northern and southern coastal California at Point Conception. Learn more on our About page.

Restore

The Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve has some of the most unique, biodiverse, and intact ecosystems in coastal California, however, there are still opportunities and mandates to restore critical ecosystems and ecosystem function to the area. Learn more about our stewardship and restoration of the preserve here.

Learn

The preserve serves as a global platform for applied conservation research and education to inspire the next generation of conservation leadership. Check out our Environmental Education Program, Research, Data, and the Point Conception Institute.

Innovate

The preserve is a living laboratory of exceptional natural and cultural legacy for conservation research; technologies deployed to accelerate learning, improve management and disseminate findings globally; engagement of the leaders of tomorrow and inspiration of widespread public commitment to conservation. See the many ways we are innovating through the Point Conception Institute.

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Preserve Restore Learn Innovate

Point Conception Institute Anthony LaFetra Research Fellowship

TNC is pleased to announce that the inaugural Point Conception Institute Anthony LaFetra Research Fellow is Dr. Erica Nielsen, a coastal marine scientist who shares the deep passion for California and its native wildlife that Anthony LaFetra personified throughout his life.

Meet Erica

Short Videos About the Preserve

Welcome to JLDP Welcome to The Nature Conservancy’s Jack & Laura Dangermond Preserve, one of the last places along the Southern California coast that remains largely untouched by development.
Place We Protect Experience the Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve through the eyes of our scientists at The Nature Conservancy. From large carnivore research to archeology, the advances being made here are leading the scientific community across the globe.
Protecting 24,000+ Acres Jack and Laura Dangermond have been working with The Nature Conservatory to help acquire and preserve an important place in California, one of the last intact large tracts of coastal habitat near Point Conception California. The preserve covers over 24,000 acres and includes over eight miles of connected coastal habitat, protected marine areas, and crucial wildlife corridors.
Determing Decades Webinar A webinar by TNC California, where we take you on a virtual exploration of The Jack & Laura Dangermond Preserve.
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Overview

Description

Located near Santa Barbara, Point Conception and its surrounding lands comprise one of the last and best “wild coast” areas in Southern California and have some of the highest biodiversity and cultural values in the world.

The Dangermond Preserve is quickly becoming a world-class conservation platform and with The Point Conception Institute is realizing the vision of a living laboratory for research, education, and innovation in conservation practices.

The Preserve is closed to the public except for use by approved research, educational, and guided activities.

See more on our Public Programs page and our Environmental Education page.

Access

Limited Access

The preserve is closed to the public except for use by approved research or education

Highlights

6,000 acres of oak woodland, 9,000 acres of grasslands, 6,000 acres of chapparal and shrublands, 8 miles of coastline, 8 sq. mile Jalama watershed, 50 miles of streams, 300 acres of wetlands, 600 + plant species, 200 + wildlife species

Size

More than 24,000 acres

Explore our work in this region

Explore

Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve Strategic Plan
Vision for a Wild Coast

Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve Strategic Plan.

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Explore the Preserve

The Nature Conservancy’s Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve sits at the intersection of two ocean currents, and its topography ranges from sea level to 1,900 feet. Those rare combinations—plus the absence of residential development—make it a trove of biodiversity. Click through this map to learn more about each of the distinct habitat types that exist within the Preserve.

Oak Woodlands

Coast live oaks are unique among California’s oak trees in their ability to thrive near the ocean. They are drought-resistant and adapted to fire, and they support acorn woodpecker, western scrub jay, western gray squirrel and dusky-footed wood rat.

Chaparral and Scrub

The coastal hillsides are blanketed by extensive coastal sage scrub and chaparral shrub communities. These are biodiversity hot spots that support badgers, bobcats, mule deer, mountain lions, pack rats, lizards, snakes and a variety of avian species.

Streams and Arroyos

Precipitation that falls on the preserve eventually flows to the ocean. In addition to Jalama Creek, the preserve contains major perennial streams, coastal wetlands, and smaller unnamed seasonal short-run streams, locally known as “arroyos.”

Shores and Marine

Point Conception sits at a marine intersection, where ocean currents from the north and south overlap, bringing a diverse mix of plant and animal life. The ecosystem is supported by the offshore upwellings that bring nutrients from deep in the ocean.

Wetlands

The 328 acres of wetlands include seeps, springs, seasonal wetlands, wetland swales, in-stream wetlands, perennial marshes and artificial ponds. These extensive habitats support abundant freshwater biodiversity.

Grasslands

The grasslands are used by a large, diverse group of plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects. Cattle grazing and prescribed burning play an essential role in making sure these grasslands continue to provide plant and animal habitat.

See the Habitats RETURN
Topography of Dangermond Preserve in California with points indicating locations of various habitats within the preserve. Oak Woodlands Chaparral and Scrub Streams and Arroyos Shores and Marine Wetlands Grasslands