Santa Lucia Chapter Bishop Peak Ranch Fundraising

Sierra Club San Luis Obispo

One Earth, One Chance

Morro Rock, Home of the Peregrine Falcon

Saving a Special Place:
"Bishop Peak"
Acquisition and Fundraising Project

Bishop Peak Ranch Map

Project Overview

The City of San Luis Obispo, Sierra Club, Land Conservancy, for the past year have been working with Ray Bunnell to acquire up to 108 acres of land as an addition to the existing public land holdings at the upper elevations of Bishop Peak. On March 2, 1998, the transaction finally closed making a dream come true for many residents of San Luis Obispo County. The 108 acre addition will connect the 110 acres donated by the Gnesa Family and the 130 acres donated by the Ferrini Family. Creating 350 acres of contiguous land for wildlife habitat and limited recreation for the residents of San Luis Obispo County and permanently protect the upper reaches Bishop Peak. This acquisition would also reduce the number of new homes recently approved by the County Board of Supervisors from seventeen down to thirteen homes. It also removed an existing approved home site 600 foot elevation entirely.

This striking, 1546 foot peak is one of the famous Morros, a group of extinct volcanoes which stretch some twenty miles from near San Luis Obispo westward to the ocean at Morro Bay. The Morros are famous as a scenic backdrop for the local area, and are well-known to climbing enthusiasts.

The natural beauty, wildlife habitat, and recreational potential of the peak have prompted the City , the Sierra Club and many others to work together to preserve a place we all cherish.

The City of San Luis Obispo purchased the parcel for $895,000.. The City put up $400,000, $350,000 came from the State Coastal Conservancy, $100,000 from the Environmental Enhance Mitigation Fund and $45,000 came from funds raised by the Santa Lucia Chapter of Sierra Club, from local donations from individuals like yourselves.

To continue the effort of preserving the Morros, the Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club will continue to raise funds and place them in our Morros Preservation Fund, set up with the The Sierra Club Foundation. This tax-deductible fund has been set up specifically for acquisition of lands in the Morros Region. By raising funds now we cane be ready for the next project when it a rises.

We are asking our members and the general public to make donations or pledges of $5, $10, $25, $50, or $100 to the Morros Preservation Fund with the understanding that the funds will be used to acquire lands in the Morros Region. Together we can make a difference. Please send checks payable to: Sierra Club Foundation, The Morros Preservation Fund, P.O. Box 15755, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406.

To make a donation please click here and print the donation form.

I wish to thank all those who participated in this project and those who donated to the wonderful cause. For more information on how you can make this program a success call Gary Felsman (805)549-0532, e-mail: gfelsman@thegrid.net.

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How you can still Help preserve the Morros

If you shop at Scolari's and want to help, save your receipts and give the to the Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club. Through the Scolari's Friendship Fund we have raised over $300 towards preserving the Morros. For more information call Gary Felsman (549-0532)
Make a donation to the Morros Fund, (See Above)

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	Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club P.O. Box 15755 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406. Telephone 1-805-543-8717.
	Sierra Club National Office 85 Second St., Second Floor San Francisco, CA 94105-3441, USA. Telephone 1-415-977-5500 (voice), 1-415-977-5799 (FAX). Last updated 29 July 2001.