A peek at Sonoma County’s wild coast
By ANDREA GRANAHAN
BODEGA CORRESPONDENT
Sonoma County residents have several chances over the next few months to explore the 5,630-acre preserve that has been added to public lands along the wild coast.
Hannah Scott, volunteer and trails coordinator with Coastwalk stands on an overlook at the Jenner Headlands above the mouth of the Russian River on April 22, 2012. (John Burgess / PD)
With nothing between the Jenner Headlands and Japan but wind and ocean, it provides unparalleled views, from the pupping harbor seals at the mouth of the Russian River all the way south to Point Reyes.
The wildflower meadow that overlooks the ocean was named last week for Jean Schulz, who in 2009 pledged a $2 million matching gift to the Sonoma Land Trust.
“I want our grandchildren and their children to be able to enjoy the same stunning vistas and to experience land that is as ecologically healthy as what we see around us today,” said Schulz, widow of the late Peanuts cartoonist Charles Schulz.
As research teams finish their assessment of the headlands’ natural and historic assets, the groups that partnered in the property’s acquisition continue to offer guided tours.
Next year, trails will be designed that don’t interfere with sensitive areas, and the land will be opened to the public.
The headlands acreage surrounds the town of Jenner and extends two and a half miles along Highway 1 toward Fort Ross. Before becoming the Rancho Torres land grant, the property was home to Kashaya Pomo Indians and Russian settlers. Rancher John Rule bought it in 1867, and cows still grazed on the headlands when a consortium of preservation groups purchased it in 2010 from investors who were harvesting the timber.
Ten public and private groups funded the $36 million acquisition, a major five-year effort that was orchestrated by the Sonoma Land Trust.
“It has been an outstanding collaboration on behalf of the public and future generations,” said Amy Chesnut, head of acquisitions for the trust.
(See more photos of the Jenner Headlands)
Since 2010, scientists have been cataloguing the property’s assets, which include remnants of Pomo villages, wildflowers, a number of endangered species and streams that are spawning sites. Their work should wrap up by the end of this year, and in 2012, a trail and development plan will be designed.
Not wanting to seal off the land until then, a number of groups are working with the trust, which is managing the property, to offer guided orientation hikes. Volunteers also are being sought for workdays on the headlands.
Among the opportunities to visit:
May 20, stewardship workday to remove invasive thistle seedlings, 10-2 p.m., 544-5614 ext. 2.
June 5, LandPaths-sponsored hike on the loop trail, free, BYO lunch, www.landpaths.org, 524-9318.
June 11, Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods, introduction to the headlands, www.stewardsofthecoastandredwoods.org, 869-9177.
June 18, CoastWalk will introduce people to the Jenner Headlands (also Aug. 21 and Oct. 15). Register at www.coastwalk@coastwalk.org or 829-6689. A note of caution: They fill up fast.
June 25, Sonoma Land Trust, www.sonomalandtrust.org, Coastal Prairie Hike to view the land’s biological and historic content, 10-3 p.m. 544-5614 ext. 2.
July 30, Sonoma Land Trust, www.sonomalandtrust.org, geology hike to learn about the land’s geologic history. 544-5614 ext. 2.
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