Fundraising efforts for Phase 2 of the Toro Coast Preserve Project have begun!
The goal of the 3-phase Toro Coast Preserve Project, begun in 2016, is to preserve nearly 2,000 acres of the Chevron property between and behind Cayucos and Morro Bay and to make it a County park. The conserved land will serve the public by preserving the rural setting of the two communities and protecting the spectacular inland views from Highway 1 and the beach.
Phase 1, in yellow below, has been completed and has preserved over 350 acres between Cayucos and Toro Creek, including the bluff and beach between Cayucos and Morro Bay.
Phase 2, in blue below, is expected to close as early as this June, focuses on the southern-most Chevron parcels - generally running east along Alva Paul Creek from Del Mar Park in Morro Bay. The valley will become part of the SLO County Park and will include a trail system. The almost 750 acre property will be purchased for $5.5 M.
The conservation partners - Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County, Morro Bay Open Space Alliance and the Cayucos Land Conservancy - have secured $5M in State grants which are conditioned on a $500,000 local contribution.
Phase 3, in orange below, the final 700 acre phase of this multi-year effort will geographically connect Phases 1 and 2. It will also become part of the County park and make possible a more extensive trail system, low-cost public camping and safer access to "dog beach". It will include Chevron's former facility headquarters and the ridge running above and to the south of the headquarters. The completion of this phase is expected in 2030-2032.
This is an exciting and time sensitive endeavor AND WE NEED YOUR HELP!
• The total cost for Phase 2 is approximately $5.5M.
• We have conditionally acquired $5M in State grants.
• The grants are conditioned on local communities contributing $500,000.
• With your generous and timely help, we can close escrow in the summer of 2024.
• If Cayucos Land Conservancy raises more than the amount needed to purchase Phase 2 the balance will be reserved and used to help purchase Phase 3
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Background of the Toro Coast Preserve Project
The Cayucos Land Conservancy, the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County and the Trust for Public Land, together with the County of San Luis Obispo, the City of Morro Bay and the Morro Bay Open Space Alliance, began working in 2015 to find a conservation solution for much of the coastal sections of Chevron's former oil facility between Cayucos and Morro Bay.
These are the goals that have driven this conservation effort:
Alva Paul Canyon - Courtesy of Morro Bay Open Space Alliance, photo credit Glenn Silloway
