OPEN THE ESTERO FOR ALL

Free public access, ecological restoration, and a lasting connection between people and place.

Help Open Estero Americano Coast Preserve

Every donation brings us closer to daily, free access for all. Here's how your gift can help support critical elements of the project:

  • $35 – Can help plant native species along the trail corridor

  • $100 – Can support the creation and installation of interpretive signage

  • $250 – Can contribute to erosion control and habitat restoration

  • $500 – Can help build trails and improve public access infrastructure

  • $1,000+ – Can support essential staffing and visitor services, ensuring the preserve is well-stewarded and welcoming to all

Opening Timeline

June 2025
Guided access begin through a new pedestrian gate on the existing Shorttail Gulch public trail

Midsummer 2025
Preserve opens three days per week

November 14, 2025
Preserve opens daily, from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset

Scroll down to learn more.

Thoughtful Access, Rooted in Stewardship

The Wildlands Conservancy believes nature is best protected when people are welcomed into it — with care, respect, and a long-term commitment to stewardship. That’s why we’re opening Estero the right way.

Following years of careful planning, The Wildlands Conservancy received unanimous approval of our Coastal Development Permit from the California Coastal Commission in November 2024. This milestone allows us to move forward with a phased, sustainable opening — and we now have one year to complete the improvements required to welcome the public, free of charge.

This progress was made possible by overwhelming public support, including letters, postcards, and emails from Wildlands supporters, donors, and partners who believe in expanding public access while honoring the ecological sensitivity of this landscape.

Our approach is shaped by:

  • Community collaboration, including a local working group helping guide safe and meaningful public access

  • Ecological restoration to protect native species and improve the health of the estuary

  • Well-managed access that balances public enjoyment with long-term care

A Rare Stretch of Coast, Protected for All

Acquired by The Wildlands Conservancy in 2015, the Estero Americano Coast Preserve is a stunning, 547-acre property at the mouth of the Estero Americano watershed, where Marin and Sonoma Counties meet. Tidal marshes, eelgrass beds, mud flats, and open water provide essential habitat for Central California Coast steelhead, tidewater goby, and the California red-legged frog — all within a landscape shaped by the estuary’s dramatic mix of saltwater and freshwater.

Thanks to a visionary public-private partnership — including support from Sonoma County Ag + Open Space and individual donors — The Wildlands Conservancy now stewards this ecologically rich estuary and is preparing to open it to the public for the very first time — free of charge.

We know how to do this — because we’ve done it before, right here on the Sonoma Coast and across the West.

Since 2018, The Wildlands Conservancy’s Jenner Headlands Preserve has welcomed the public daily, free of charge. With sweeping coastal views, miles of trails, and a carefully stewarded landscape, Jenner has become a trusted example of what responsible public access can look like.

But it’s not just Jenner. Across our entire preserve system — now spanning nearly 210,000 acres in three states — The Wildlands Conservancy has built a nationally recognized model for balancing access, stewardship, and ecological restoration.

At Jenner Headlands and beyond, we’ve shown it’s possible to:

  • Welcome the public without compromising ecological integrity

  • Maintain trails and facilities through dedicated ranger staff and active land management

  • Restore habitat while providing hands-on education and community connection

  • Build lasting partnerships with neighbors, agencies, and conservation allies

This is the same proven model we’re bringing to Estero Americano Coast Preserve — to ensure the land is protected, the community is respected, and people of all ages can connect with nature for generations to come.

A Proven Model, Just Up the Coast — And Across the American West

Make a Gift. Spread the Word. Stay Informed.

You can help open the Estero Americano Coast Preserve — thoughtfully, sustainably, and for everyone.

Here’s how to make a difference:

Make a Gift
Your donation helps build trails, restore habitat, and provide free public access to one of the most beautiful and ecologically rich places on the Sonoma Coast.

Spread the Word
Share this campaign with friends and neighbors who care about conservation, coastal access, and community.

Stay in the Loop
Sign up to receive updates about our progress and opportunities for guided access hikes this summer.