Fundraising efforts for the Toro Coast Preserve Project continues!
The goal of the 3-phase Toro Coast Preserve Project, begun in 2016, is to preserve nearly 2,000 acres of the Chevron property between and behind Cayucos and Morro Bay and to make it a County park. The conserved land will serve the public by preserving the rural setting of the two communities and protecting the spectacular inland views from Highway 1 and the beach.
Phase 1, in yellow below, has been completed and has preserved over 350 acres between Cayucos and Toro Creek, including the bluff and beach between Cayucos and Morro Bay.
Phase 2, in orange below, expected to close in late 2024, focuses on the southern-most Chevron parcels - generally running east along Alva Paul Creek from Del Mar Park in Morro Bay. The valley will become part of the SLO County Park and will include a trail system. The almost 750 acre property will be purchased for $5.5M.
The conservation partners - Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County, Morro Bay Open Space Alliance and the Cayucos Land Conservancy - have secured $5M in State Grants and the locally raised $500,000 which was a requirement of those Grants.
Phase 3, in blue below, the final 700 acre phase of this multi-year effort will geographically connect Phases 1 and 2. It will also become part of the County Park and make possible a more extensive trail system, low-cost public camping and safer access to "dog beach". It will include Chevron's former facility headquarters and the ridge running above and to the south of the headquarters. The completion of this phase is expected in 2030-2032.
We are proud to say the conservation partners will be working diligently in cooperation with state agencies and Chevron to complete phase 3 as soon as possible. Any donation made to the Toro Coast Project will be used on phase 3.
Background of the Toro Coast Preserve Project
The Cayucos Land Conservancy, the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County and the Trust for Public Land, together with the County of San Luis Obispo, the City of Morro Bay and the Morro Bay Open Space Alliance, began working in 2015 to find a conservation solution for much of the coastal sections of Chevron's former oil facility between Cayucos and Morro Bay.
These are the goals that have driven this conservation effort:
Alva Paul Canyon - Courtesy of Morro Bay Open Space Alliance, photo credit Glenn Silloway
