Western Rivers Conservancy (WRC) has transferred the 327-acre Pico Blanco property to the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County, continuing a collaborative conservation effort that preserves critical ecological habitats and returns ancestral lands to their original stewards.
The property, located on the Little Sur River, holds profound cultural significance for the Esselen Tribe. Situated at the base of a mountain called Pixchi, which the tribe considers the "Center of the Esselen World," the land encompasses 1.3 miles of river and one of the largest old-growth redwood stands on the Central Coast.
This land transfer represents the second major conservation project between WRC and the Esselen Tribe, following the 2020 conveyance of the 1,199-acre Adler Ranch. Together, these properties protect 2.3 miles of critical habitat for endangered species, including California condors, red-legged frogs, and threatened steelhead trout.
Tribal Chairman Tom Little Bear Nason emphasized the spiritual importance of the land, noting that the opportunity to reconnect with the river and ancient redwoods fulfills a deeply meaningful part of the tribe's mission. The project was made possible through funding from the Wildlife Conservation Board and support from individual donors.
The conservation effort highlights a growing trend of collaborative land management that centers Indigenous stewardship and ecological preservation. By returning lands to the Esselen Tribe, WRC not only supports cultural restoration but also ensures long-term protection of a biologically rich ecosystem.
