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California Ranch Acquisition Protects Wildlife Corridor
21 Sep
Summary
- 1,921-acre ranch acquired by POST for $24 million in 2026.
- Acquisition creates conservation linkage for wildlife in Santa Cruz Mountains.
- Ranch may eventually connect a gap in the Bay Area Ridge Trail.
In March 2026, the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) finalized the $24 million acquisition of the 1,921-acre Mead Ranch. This significant property is situated in the Santa Cruz Mountains, west of Morgan Hill in Santa Clara County, California.
The ranch is strategically located between existing open-space preserves, contributing to a substantial conservation area of approximately 50,000 acres around the South Bay's Coyote Valley. This acquisition is primarily intended to protect the ranch's valuable wildlife habitat, which serves as a crucial corridor for species such as mountain lions, bobcats, the bay checkerspot butterfly, California tiger salamander, and western pond turtle.
POST is currently evaluating potential management plans and public access for Mead Ranch. While no firm plans are in place, the property holds potential to help complete a gap in the Bay Area Ridge Trail, a planned 550-mile loop. The addition could provide about 1.5 miles of new trail, though specific routes will depend on understanding the property's ecological sensitivities.
