The Board of the State Coastal Conservancy authorized a $42 million grant to protect Wild Cherry Canyon in Avila Beach.
The canyon is a 2,060-acre undeveloped property of coastal hills and canyons. It is part of the 12,000 acre land surrounding the Diablo Canyon Power Plant.
The grant will allow the Wildlands Conservancy to purchase the land and protect it.
The acquisition will occur in two parts. The Wildlands Conservancy says it will purchase the leasehold interest by the end of the year, followed by the acquisition of the underlying fee title which is anticipated to close by mid 2027.
The Coastal Conservancy and The Wildlands Conservancy says they will work with the local community and local tribes to develop conservation, public access, and tribal access easements to help protect the community's vision of the land.
Senator John Laird says plans to conserve this land have been in the works for 25 years.
Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) released the following statement:
After over 25 years of local efforts, I am thrilled that nearly 2,200 acres of our Central Coast lands near Avila Beach at Wild Cherry Canyon will be preserved for future generations," said Addis. "Across every year in the State Legislature, I have worked to ensure needed funding for land acquisition was allocated and I am grateful for the State Coastal Conservancy's approval of $42 million for conservation today.
