Home / Environment / Hollywood Star's Ranch Saved for Rare Wildlife
Hollywood Star's Ranch Saved for Rare Wildlife
31 Aug
Summary
- Actor James Cagney's former land now protects rare species.
- The Nature Conservancy bought 417 acres for $2.7 million.
- The land is a vital grassland habitat in Southern California.
For decades, the expansive grasslands near Ramona, California, served as a natural landscape. A portion of this land, once owned by Hollywood actor James Cagney and his brother William, was held by the William J. Cagney Trust. By the early 2000s, this 417-acre remnant was recognized as a crucial grassland habitat in coastal Southern California, vital for rare flora and fauna.
In 2003, The Nature Conservancy acquired the former Cagney property for $2.7 million, initiating its long-term protection. This significant grassland, supporting species like the Stephens' kangaroo rat, San Diego fairy shrimp, and arroyo southwestern toad, also contained rare plant species within its vernal pools. The preservation of this land was critical to maintaining habitat connectivity in a region prone to development.
The acquisition followed years of negotiation and fundraising, with contributions from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the state, and California's Wildlife Conservation Board. This purchase was a key step in a broader conservation ambition to maintain substantial grassland areas while balancing development needs in San Diego County.
