To walk through Rana Creek Preserve is to encounter a California that is increasingly rare: a landscape of oak woodlands, spring-fed creeks, and open ridgelines stretching toward the Pacific.
Situated between the Salinas Valley and the Santa Lucia Range in the upper Carmel Valley, Rana Creek is one of the largest historic landholdings in the range, with 12,422 contiguous acres ranging from 500 to 3,400 feet in elevation. It is a place of remarkable biological diversity: golden eagles patrol the thermals above exposed ridges, mountain lions move quietly through the oak understory, and on rare and fortunate days, a California condor, or two, comes to rest in gnarled oaks. The Preserve is co-stewarded by The Wildlands Conservancy and the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County, a partnership that honors both its ecological significance and its deep cultural roots.
In July 2023, The Wildlands Conservancy completed a $40 million acquisition of the property, funded through a combination of private generosity and public support. Since then, we have brought on a dedicated Preserve Manager to begin guiding Rana Creek’s transformation, stewarding its sweeping landscape and laying the groundwork for a public access and environmental education program worthy of this place.
Rewilding is central to our long-term vision for Rana Creek. Tule elk were once native to this landscape, and returning them is among our most ambitious goals. We have already begun habitat assessments, and while much careful planning remains, including working with neighboring stakeholders and coordination with wildlife agencies, we are actively moving toward the day when elk once again roam these hills.
What Comes Next
The motto at the core of our mission — Behold the Beauty — reflects a commitment to sharing majestic places with others so that everyone can enjoy something quintessentially human. The chance to walk beneath a canopy of valley oaks or watch the light fade over the Santa Lucias is not a privilege, but a birthright.
To make that vision real, we are launching a campaign to raise public and private funds for a two-year planning and permitting process. This work begins with listening: engaging local stakeholders, Tribal partners, and community members to ensure that public access and education programs are developed thoughtfully and in step with the Preserve’s natural and cultural values.
With a successful planning and permitting phase, Rana Creek Preserve can open for free daily public access while we raise additional funds and build the planned infrastructure. Outdoor education programs will follow, designed to inspire the youth of Monterey County, especially those from under-resourced communities, through meaningful connection with the natural world, through trails, outdoor classrooms, and hands-on experiences with this landscape.
The opportunity to shape the future of this land, for wildlife, for community, and for generations to come, is one we hope you’ll be part of.
