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Carmel Topping: The Whisler-Wilson Ranch includes a redwood-lined creek flanked by open meadows, madrone-studded upland terraces and a stunning view of Point Lobos. Big Sur Land Trust

Big Sur Land Trust adds Whisler-Wilson Ranch to its bounty.

By Kera Abraham

Friday, December 3, 2010

Add one more sprig to Big Sur Land Trust's wreath of local land acquisitions.

On Dec. 3, the organization announced its $4 million purchase of the 317-acre Whisler-Wilson Ranch, across Highway 1 from Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and next to Palo Corona Regional Park. As part of Carmel River Parkway Vision Plan, the strategic acquisition allows the land trust to partner with state and regional park agencies on an integrated "parklands landscape," with the potential for a larger network of public access trails and education programs, according to BSLT Executive Director Bill Leahy.

"The acquisition preserves the San Jose Creek Watershed, a critical refuge for Central Coast steelhead, and secures a last key piece in a larger landscape of local and state protected lands that will help create new opportunities for future public access, recreation and outdoor education," states a BSLT press release. "The spectacular property is part of the historic Pt. Lobos Ranch once owned and cared for by the A.M. Allan family, who is credited with originally saving Pt. Lobos – since treasured for generations as a state park – from development in the late 1800s."

The land trust bought the property from the Whisler and Wilson Family Trusts, honoring with Whisler family wishes that the ranch never be developed. The purchase was funded primarily through the trust's McMahan Revolving Acquisition Fund, with $166,050 from The Nature Conservancy for redwood forest and stream habitat conservation.