Thank you for your support of our efforts to protect Wild Cherry Canyon! Below is a DRAFT of a sample letter to be sent to Governor Jerry Brown, Ruth Coleman, and John Laird (one letter to each). Every letter is important, but yours will have even greater impact if you write from your own perspective, using the sample below for key points you may want to include.

Thank you again -- together we will ensure this outstanding natural resource is protected for generations to come!

ADDRESSES:

SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear [name],

I am writing to request your assistance expediting the protection of Wild Cherry Canyon, a spectacular 2,400-acre coastal property near Avila Beach in San Luis Obispo County. This is one of the last remaining large-scale conservation opportunities on the central coast and we are within reach of ensuring it is permanently protected. But we urgently need your help.

Wild Cherry Canyon comprises one of the largest tracts of unprotected land within the Irish Hills, and has for many years been a high priority conservation target. It includes diverse habitats that support neotropical migratory songbirds and imperiled species, such as the threatened California red-legged frog. It also includes portions of four watersheds, coastal bluffs, terraces, coastal scrub, coast live oak woodlands, wildflower fields, and maritime chaparral. 

Further, its protection will add to outdoor recreation resources in the area by expanding Montaña de Oro State Park by 2,400 coastal acres and enabling the acquisition of the adjacent 1,500-acre Hibberd Preserve, resulting in a 65% expansion of the park. It will also make possible a 20-mile extension of the California Coastal Trail.

The American Land Conservancy (ALC), with strong support from local citizens like me and many others, has raised the majority of the funds needed to acquire Wild Cherry Canyon. But the last $6.9 million needed to purchase the property, which would come from California State Parks, must be allocated through the Public Works Board (PWB), and thus far has not been placed on the PWB agenda for a vote.

You can help us protect Wild Cherry Canyon by strongly urging the Department of General Services and the Department of Finance to expedite their review of this project so that it can be placed on the PWB agenda. Our community has come a very long way toward protecting this outstanding resource, but the window of opportunity is closing. Some funding sources will expire and ALC must act on the acquisition before the offer to sell is withdrawn. We have never been closer to protecting Wild Cherry Canyon than right now, but delays are threatening to extinguish our many years of effort. 

Thank you for considering my request. The $6.9 million in bond funds in question have already been allocated for conservation projects within the Irish Hills and will have no impact on the general fund. There is no reason to withhold them a moment longer when the chance to leave a lasting conservation legacy to our children and grandchildren is so close at hand.

Sincerely,

[your name]