Esselen Tribe of Monterey County reclaims ancestral Tularcitos Creek lands in partnership with The Wildlands Conservancy

Tularcitos Property / photo by The Wildlands Conservancy

CARMEL VALLEY, Ca. — On July 18, the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County, in partnership with The Wildlands Conservancy, completed the acquisition and return of 1,720 acres of culturally and ecologically significant ancestral lands along Tularcitos Creek in Upper Carmel Valley, Monterey County — marking a historic homecoming for the Tribe.

This land — featuring sacred village sites, ancient bedrock mortars, oak savannas, and rich riparian corridors — has long held cultural, spiritual, and ecological significance to the Esselen people. Among the sacred sites is “Cappanay,” one of the largest and most inland known Esselen villages, whose name means “little tules” in the Esselen language.

“This land is part of who we are. Returning it to Esselen stewardship is an act of healing — for our people, for the land itself and for the broader community,” said Tom Little Bear Nason, tribal chairman of the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County. “We are deeply grateful to The Wildlands Conservancy for standing with us in this journey, and to our partners at the Wildlife Conservation Board, the State Coastal Conservancy, and our community of supporters who understand that true conservation must center Indigenous leadership.”

The Wildlands Conservancy acquired the property in 2023 using private financing to secure its protection and enabling this historic return to tribal stewardship.

“This is one of the most meaningful projects we’ve had the honor and privilege to be part of,” said Frazier Haney, executive director of The Wildlands Conservancy. “We’re thrilled to see this extraordinary landscape returned to its original stewards, where it will be protected, restored, and cared for with the cultural knowledge and connection that only the Esselen people can bring.”

Public funding made the return of Tularcitos Creek possible, with support from two key state agencies. Both expressed that they were proud to support the project, which reflects the importance of Indigenous-led conservation in protecting California’s biodiversity and cultural heritage.

“Protecting these additional 1,720 acres adjacent to The Wildlands Conservancy's Rana Creek Preserve is a major conservation milestone that strengthens habitat connectivity and safeguards endangered species,” said Jennifer Norris, executive director of the Wildlife Conservation Board. “Just as important, this project supports the Tribe’s cultural traditions and honors their role in stewarding the ecological and cultural resources of this landscape.”

Echoing that sentiment, Amy Hutzel, executive officer of the State Coastal Conservancy, added: “The return of Tularcitos Creek reflects a broader commitment to equity, climate resilience, and restoring California’s lands to those who have cared for them since time immemorial.”

The acquisition permanently protects the land from subdivision and luxury development, safeguarding critical habitat for species such as steelhead trout, California red-legged frog, and California condor.

State Sen. John Laird, whose long-standing leadership in coastal conservation and support for tribal partnerships has shaped numerous land protection efforts on the Central Coast, emphasized the broader significance of the project.

“Protecting this land and returning it to the care of the Esselen Tribe is a meaningful step in preserving California’s natural and cultural heritage,” said Laird. “It reflects how we can work together — state agencies, conservation partners and tribal nations — to protect important places for future generations.”

With the return of Tularcitos Creek, the Tribe now faces a new chapter of stewardship and responsibility. This includes habitat restoration, cultural fire, youth education, and ecological resilience rooted in traditional knowledge.

“Our connection to this land has never been broken,” Nason said. “Now we can care for it as our ancestors did — restoring creeks and forests, protecting sacred places, and teaching our children the Esselen ways.”

To support this vision, the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County aims to expand its Stewardship Fund to enhance land stewardship, youth programs, forest health, and ecological restoration.

“We are at a critical point of growth,” said Nason. “With each land return, our operational needs grow — and so does our commitment. This work truly takes a village, and we invite our supporters and allies to walk alongside us.”

The Tularcitos Creek parcels connect with the 12,452-acre Rana Creek Preserve, which The Wildlands Conservancy and the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County will continue to co-steward. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to long-term care. Together, they are modeling a future rooted in respect, restoration, and reciprocity — for the land and for generations to come.

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About the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County

The Esselen Tribe of Monterey County is dedicated to preserving and protecting the recognized and unrecognized sacred lands and cultural heritage of the Esselen people and related tribal communities of the Central Coast. The Tribe’s work includes cultural education, environmental stewardship and the protection of sacred sites to ensure that future generations remain connected to their ancestral homelands.

About The Wildlands Conservancy

Since its founding in 1995, The Wildlands Conservancy has protected more than 2.3 million acres, safeguarding ecological connectivity and vast natural landscapes across the American West. Within these lands, their growing nature preserve system — now 25 locations spanning nearly 210,000 acres — remains dedicated to hands-on land stewardship, rewilding species, restoring native habitats, and fostering deep connections between people and nature. With free access for all, these preserves also provide outdoor education programs — focused on disadvantaged youth — inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards.

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