News Release

For Release:  May 13, 2008                                                            
Contact:  Stephen Razo 951-697-5217; email: srazo@ca.blm.gov
CA-CDD-08-50

 BLM, Land Conservancy Enter Coastal Monument Partnership

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy have signed a collaborative partnership memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will focus on the preservation and stewardship of the California Coastal National Monument (CCNM). The partnership will also help advance the understanding and protection of California's coastal and ocean resources and help in the development and implementation of a "CCNM Gateway" in the Palos Verdes Peninsula portion of the CCNM.

"The California Coastal National Monument is a critical component of the protection and public awareness efforts regarding the rocks and islands off of our beautiful California coast," stated Andrea Vona, executive director, Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy.  "We look forward to coordinating with BLM on educational opportunities to bring additional awareness to our coastal resources."

Founded in 1988 by a group of concerned area residents as a non-profit, non-political, public benefit corporation, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy’s mission is to preserve undeveloped land in perpetuity as open space for historical, educational, ecological, recreational, and scenic purposes. In addition, PVP Land Conservancy works cooperatively with cities, property owners, and environmental groups, locating funds for purchasing land, providing tax benefits for land donation, restoring habitat, and promoting the conservation of natural open space. They have also collaborated with the City of Rancho Palos Verdes in obtaining and coordinating  a grant from the Annenberg Foundation to develop a vision plan for linking the City’s coastal and upland parks.

"This partnership allows us to benefit from Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy’s outstanding network of community stewards who are anxious to bring public awareness to the coastal monument as well as to other significant treasures along the California coast," stated Greg Thomsen, BLM southern California coordinator for the CCNM.

Established by presidential proclamation on January 11, 2000, the California Coastal National Monument consists of "all unappropriated or unreserved lands and interest in lands owned or controlled by the United States in the form of islands, rocks, exposed reefs, and pinnacles above mean high tide within 12 nautical miles of the shoreline of the State of California."  Part of the BLM's National Landscape Conservation System, it provides important habitat for plants, seabirds and marine mammals. The rock and islands are also important in the heritage for many native people, and have historic significance in many areas.

-BLM-

California Desert District Office – 22835 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553- (951) 697-5217