About Us
Vision
To permanently protect the rural character and ecological integrity of Rancho Tajiguas Preserve and ensure its management as a living landscape that supports ecological restoration, public access, and environmental education in partnership with the broader conservation community.
Conserving the Gaviota Coast
GCC’s long-term vision includes the permanent protection of additional Gaviota Coast properties in cooperation with willing landowners. Our work at Rancho Tajiguas Preserve complements and strengthens regional conservation efforts through collaboration and shared learning.
The Rancho Tajiguas Acquisition and Next Steps
From Urgency to Stewardship
In 2024, as development pressure intensified along the Gaviota Coast, GCC stepped forward to purchase the 3,272-acre Rancho Tajiguas. This decisive acquisition prevented irreversible loss and brought the land into local conservation stewardship for the first time.
Over the past year, GCC has been learning the intricacies of the property:
Mapping watersheds and native habitats
Assessing the health of orchards and grasslands
Strengthening infrastructure for fire readiness and ranch operations
Collaborating with conservation partners to guide the preserve’s long-term vision
Where We Stand
While the property is safely under conservation ownership, our work is far from done. Rancho Tajiguas carries $35 million in acquisition financing — a necessary bridge that made its protection possible.
The next step is to retire this debt and secure a conservation easement that will make the protection permanent under California law.
This dual focus — financial sustainability and legal permanence — defines the next chapter of GCC’s mission.
Looking Forward
We are developing partnerships and preparing a dynamic capital campaign to ensure Rancho Tajiguas becomes a model of enduring coastal conservation, regenerative agriculture, and community engagement.
With every step, we move closer to turning an emergency rescue into a lasting legacy.