Vol. 25 No.
1 - January / February 2009
2009
Signature Events
Annual Conservation
Reception
&
25th Anniversary Kickoff
Wednesday, January 28th
6-9pm
Beth David “Green” Synagogue
10180 Los Osos Valley Rd, SLO
“San Luis Beautiful”
Art at the Octagon Barn
Saturday, May 2nd
11-5pm
Sunday, May 3rd
11-3pm
4595 South Higuera St, SLO
SLO County
Creek Cleanup Day
Saturday, October 3rd
9am –12noon
Sites Countywide
Thanksgiving Day Hike
Thursday, November 26th
9-11am
Black Lake Eco.Area, Nipomo
Octagon Barn
Holiday Lighting
Saturday, December 5th
5pm
4595 South Higuera St, SLO
Help plan & host this year’s
exciting events by joining
the 25th Anniversary
Committee. Meetings are
3rd Wednesdays at 12noon.
Celebrating 25 Years of Land Conservation
This year marks the 25th Anniversary of The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo
County. Born around a kitchen table in 1984 and incorporated on May 30, our organization
was created by a group of visionary ranchers and community leaders that knew the value of
land and the importance of protecting it.
Those who appreciate what they see outside of our urban centers should know
that our county looks this way because of local ranchers and farmers.
From humble beginnings, our organization has grown and diversified to encompass conser-
vation and restoration of scenic landscapes, important wild areas, family farms and ranches,
and cultural, historic sites. Throughout our history we have retained our focus on helping
private landowners and local government agencies achieve their conservation goals.
For an organization to last 25 years, it needs a steady
and constant stream of support. There are many
people and institutions in San Luis Obispo County
that collaboratively sustain our efforts— we owe our
success to them. Yet our success stems not just from
financial support, but through volunteerism, pride in
our local lands, kind words, and more. We’d like to
thank YOU, our supporters, for helping us save
special places over the last quarter-century.
So what’s in the future for the next 25 years?
One of the first things we plan to do is celebrate, and you’re invited! We hope you’ll join us
and bring new supporters to our Annual Conservation Reception & 25th Anniversary
Kickoff later this month in San Luis Obispo. We also have a new look thanks to our friends
at Webfeet Integrated Marketing who have donated their services to help us bring a fresh
innovative look to our timeless conservation mission.
In preparation for another 25 years of service, the Land Conservancy’s Board of Trustees
spent considerable time over the last several months to prepare a new strategic plan for the
organization. With clear attainable goals we will increase the pace of local land conservation
and reduce our dependence on grants. We will also expand programs to help local people
form lasting connections with the land around them. Developing community partnerships
will remain a focus to bring more people to our effort.
Most importantly, we will keep doing what we’re best at—
preserving local land for the benefit of people and wildlife.
We are proud to have helped protect the scenic beauty, quality of life, and natural function
of our County throughout our 25 year history, and we look forward to sharing more good
news with you in the coming year. From all of us to all of you, a happy new year!
- Gary Felsman, President & Brian Stark, Executive Director
 New Technology Brightens Up the Old Barn
During our 1st Annual Holiday Lighting of the Octagon Barn, friends and
supporters gathered to celebrate holiday cheer at the festive old barn. Oohs,
aaws and applause accompanied the official lighting as Jim Buenrostro, Barn
volunteer and PG&E employee, ceremoniously flipped the switch brightening
the chilly night with cheerful colored twinkle outlining the iconic building.
Nearly a mile of LED energy-saving holiday lights, donated by PG&E,
decorated the historic structure with roughly 8,000 bulbs sparkling inside and
out. Highly visible from Highway 101, the Octagon Barn light display used
minimal energy. PG&E says LED holiday lights are 90 percent more efficient
than traditional, incandescent holiday lights. “The Land Conservancy is showing true leadership by using this great
new tradition to emphasize the importance of energy efficiency,” said Patricia Wilmore, PG&E local area manager.
“We hope the lighting of the Octagon Barn will become an annual holiday tradition.
Photos by BK Richard 2008

It’s really neat that our local partnership with PG&E lit up this rare, historic structure
using the most advanced energy-saving technology of today.”
- BK Richard, Land Conservancy Board Trustee
Thanks to recent milestones, completion of the Octagon Barn Center is planned for fall 2009.
To achieve this goal, The Land Conservancy is looking for additional volunteers, committee
members and major donors. We are planning for public events to begin in 2010.
Thank you to Pacific Gas & Electric and local PG&E representatives, Patricia Wilmore &
Thomas Jones, for partnering with us to light the Octagon Barn during the 2008-2009 holiday
season.

Page 2
 Land Protection Program Expands
We welcome Margo Heekin Clark as our new Conservation Planning Associate. Margo will assist in preparing
conservation easements under Conservation Director, Bob Hill. With her background in agriculture and financial
planning, Margo has worked with local landowners and their advisors who share an interest in conserving land.
Margo earned her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Animal Science (Cal Poly SLO and Kansas State University respectively)
and has holistic ranch management experience. She has worked on ranches in Kansas and California, managed the
Ted R. Cooper Ranch in Creston, California, and been a member of the California
Photo provided by M. Heekin Clark

Beef Cattle Improvement Association. In 1990, Margo became a Certified Financial

Planner and practiced in Templeton for 13 years.
Joining the Land Conservancy provides Margo with the opportunity to use her di-
verse background and experience to give back to the community. She says, “I’m very
excited about being involved in helping to preserve our ‘sense of place’ in San Luis
Obispo County.”
An avid mountain biker, Margo serves on the board of the Central Coast Concerned
Mountain Bikers (CCMB). She also enjoys riding her road bicycle on the beautiful
back roads of San Luis Obispo County and hiking in local open spaces.
This new position was created in response to the growing demands of larger, more complex conservation transactions.
Through an exciting private donor program—Conservation Partners Guild—we engage sponsors in underwriting
the costs to expand our Conservation Program and helping us double the pace of local land conservation. The inaugu-
ral member of the Conservation Partners Guild is Board Trustee, BK Richard, whose donation allowed us to hire Margo.
We are sincerely grateful for BK’s generosity and leadership, and we hope that other community members will join him
as members of the Conservation Partners Guild or as donors of other critical programs.
For more information about private giving programs, contact Wende David at 544-9096 x10 or visit www.LCSLO.org.

Strategic Plan Unveils Our Future

Under the direction of our Board of Trustees, the Land Conservancy has adopted a new strategic plan that lays the
foundation for our success over the next four years. The plan calls for strategic investments in our fundraising and public
outreach programs, as well as our land conservation program. This ambitious plan will aid us in increasing the pace of
land conservation and securing our long-term future in the community.
“During this time of economic turmoil, more than ever, the strongest organizations are those that
stay focused on their mission despite outside forces and that function with a strong sense of eth-
ics. These are two cornerstones of our strategic plan.” —Brian Stark, Executive Director
The following objectives comprise the backbone of the Land Conservancy’s strategic plan:
1. Important conservation lands are protected for future generations.
2. Degraded habitat resources are enhanced to return their environmental benefits to the community.
3. The Land Conservancy is an enduring and effective organization capable of protecting and managing local lands
and undertaking vital restoration projects within the scope of its mission.
4. The Land Conservancy has a stable, diverse, and growing base of community and financial support.
5. The Land Conservancy provides information about and access to outdoor areas to help all San Luis Obispo
County community members develop a personal land ethic and connection to the land.
We invite you to view the full Strategic Plan online to find out what specific milestones and tasks have been identified.
Visit www.LCSLO.org and view the PDF found in “About Us.”
Page 3
 Herb Stroh Leads Estate Planning Council

Congratulations to Herb Stroh, on his recent election as president of the Estate Planning Council of San Luis Obispo.
Herb Stroh is Vice President of The Land Conservancy and serves on the

Photo provided by Herb Stroh

Executive, Finance and Land Committees. Since joining the Board in 2006, Herb has
helped The Land Conservancy build a planned giving program and provided
expertise in managing estate gifts.
“I hope my leadership on the Estate Planning Council will strengthen
local planned giving programs that connect donors with important
community needs, like preserving land in San Luis Obispo County.”
- Herb Stroh, Land Conservancy Vice President & Estate Planning Council President
The Estate Planning Council of San Luis Obispo was established in 1996 to bring
together professionals involved in estate planning—such as attorneys, accountants,
trust officers, life insurance professionals and financial planners. They meet five times
a year for professional development.
Herb, a partner in the business law firm Sinsheimer Juhnke Lebens & McIvor, LLP, is a certified specialist in estate
planning, trust and probate, with 23 years of practice and teaching. He also serves as president of the Cambria Sunrise
Rotary Club and board member & treasurer of Hospice of San Luis Obispo County.
If you or someone you know is considering The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County in their estate plans,
please contact Herb Stroh at 541-2800 or Land Conservancy Executive Director, Brian Stark, at 544-9096 x12.

Octagon Barn on TV Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival

San Luis Obispo artist, writer and
reporter, Joan Sullivan, produces
“Picture the Past Productions” - a series of
‘history in the making’ documentaries
about local artists and events of note.
Throughout the month of January, the
historic Octagon Barn is featured on
Channel 2, Public Access TV. Check
out the show at:
• Tuesday 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Wednesday 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
January 16-19
The Land Conservancy’s Stewardship Manger, Daniel Bohlman, is
leading a birding field trip at Filipponi Ecological Area on January
18th from 9am-12pm in collaboration with Morro Coast Audubon
Society during this year’s Winter Bird Festival.
Filipponi Ecological Area is owned by the City of San Luis Obispo
and has been restored by The Land Conservancy. This 80-acre
preserve includes creekside willows, pools, wetlands and rocky
outcroppings. Birders can expect a variety of wintering sparrows
and perhaps waterfowl and raptors. A brief discussion of the site
restoration will also be covered. Birding and walking conditions may
be difficult due to mud (rubber boots suggested).

• Thursday 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. On-line registration & information available at (805) 275-4143 or
www.morrobaybirdfestival.org.

On May 2nd and 3rd, The Land Conservancy is hosting “San Luis Beautiful”
Art at the Octagon Barn in celebration of its 25th Anniversary. The festival
of fine art, music, and history will feature original artwork by famed artisans of
San Luis Outdoor Painters for the Environment, like the painting on the left.

We are requesting raffle item donations at $10-$50. To donate an item, contact

Carol Courcy at 305-7327 or email: carol.courcy@charter.net. Thank You!
M a r gu e ri t e C o s t i ga n Page 4
 GPS Helps Define Restoration Success
This past spring The Land Conservancy added handheld GPS receivers to the Landlines “Wish List.” Shortly after that issue went in
the mail we received not one, but two GPS units via generous donations! We thought it would be interesting to let you know what we are
doing with our newly acquired technology as reported by Stewardship Manager, Daniel Bohlman.

The Land Conservancy uses GPS (Global Positioning System) technology on an

almost daily basis for everything ranging from scientific and easement
monitoring to mapping of potential land acquisitions. With the addition of
these two new units we have been able to bring GPS technology into the
Guadalupe-Nipomo dunes to help us better resolve and inform our invasive
species management program.
Prior to employing GPS, The Land Conservancy would record its daily
treatment work via visual estimates - literally looking out across the treatment
area with a trained eye to estimate the total area of the treatment site.
Furthermore, when bringing this data back to the office we were unable to
parse out the actual treatment area within a Land Management Unit (naturally
defined vegetation patches), from the entire Land Management Unit. This made it
Don Applegate uses a GPS unit to
difficult to effectively track changes in invasive species expansions and contractions record a data point in the field.
over time.
Having GPS capability in the field has changed all that. Now, Land Conservancy field crew leader, Brian O’Sullivan
is able to capture accurate information following daily treatments. As a result we are now able to determine and map
with certainty the specific treatment area (acres) and location. This will greatly assist us in tracking changes over
time, creating accurate and truly useful maps, and assessing treatment efficacy.
Figure 1 below shows an example of what our treatment map would look like for our August work - 13.5 acres.
Note, that if any work occurred, however small, within a Land Management Unit (the black outlined shapes) the en-
tire unit would become highlighted.

Whereas GPS technology allows us to determine exactly where we worked within each Land Management Unit and
produce more detailed and functional maps. Figure 2 below shows what our August treatment area truly looks like.
The area treated is still 13.5 acres but now shows exactly where treatment occurred.

We would like to once again thank Rudy Bachmann of Specialty Construction and Roger Longden
for generously donating GPS units which are greatly appreciate and well used.

Figure 1 - Old Method Figure 2 - New Method Using GPS

Page 5
 Local People, Local Land
Volunteers of all ages—from toddlers
to senior citizens— helped out at Black
Lake Ecological Area (BLEA).
Under the direction of Project
Manager, Don Applegate, about 30
volunteers had fun getting “down &
dirty” planting natives and enjoying this
beautiful eco-preserve.

Restoration Program
Manger,
Michael LeBrun,
was appointed to
represent District 4 on
the County’s Bicycle
Advisory Committee.

REC Solar donated

$3,200 to The Land
Conservancy through their
“Solar Rebate Program”. Crew Leader, Brian O’Sullivan and
Staff from REC Solar also Restoration Specialists, Lance Haro,
participate in volunteer Ryan Ihm & Matt Logue are
work days at our SLO restoring a site near the Dana Adobe in
restoration sites. Nipomo. They hydro-mulched nearly 5
Thank You, REC Solar! acres along the creek, as shown above.

Page 6
 Celebrating 25 Years
of Land Preservation in SLO County
547 Marsh Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
547 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Board Of Trustees
Special Thanks Gary Felsman, President
Herb Stroh, Vice President
Lisa Wise, Treasurer
Thank You to the following for your outstanding contributions: Valerie Endres
• Catherine Oster and her volunteer crew at RSVP— Joanne, Carol, Mary,
Beverly Gingg
Herb Kandel
Goldie, Norma, Joan, Grace, Kathleen, Pat, Lorraine, Amy, & Elmer for
Penny Rappa
stuffing and mailing the annual appeal to our community supporters. BK Richard
• John & Cindy Wallace for donating an 8-ft windmill to the Octagon Barn Center. Alex Rothenberg
Ed Carson, Emeritus
• Pam & Mike Lee at WebFeet Integrated Marketing for our fresh new look.
• KCI Environmental for providing 50 mulefat plants & 8 large willow trees. Staff
• Ed Carson for donating an air compressor, circular saw and framing square. Executive Director: Brian Stark
• REC Solar for giving $3,200 to support local land conservation. Conservation Director: Bob Hill
• Ali Semon & Sara Egerer at Frame Works for collaborating with us for the 3rd Restoration Program Manager:
Michael LeBrun
Annual Art Eco Exhibition. Check out www.SLOART.com to purchase art!
Membership & Development Manager
and Landlines Editor: Wende David
Wish List Stewardship Manager:
Daniel Bohlman
• Irrigation piping & supplies (used or new; good condition ) Business Manager: Crystal Elwood
• Pop-up canopy for outreach events (10’x10” or larger; good condition) Project Managers:
• “Game” camera (weatherproof, outdoor, motion-detecting camera)
Mark Skinner & Don Applegate
Conservation Planning Associate:
All donations are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated! Margo Heekin Clark
Contact Michael LeBrun at 544-9096 x 15 to make donation arrangements.
Community Connection Liaison:
Dave Rau
The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County Community Program Aide:
is your local, non-profit land trust working exclusively in nearby Judith Hildinger
communities. That means your donations go to work right here at home. Crew Leader: Brian O’Sullivan
We use voluntary and collaborative measures, to permanently protect Restoration Specialists:
lands having scenic, agricultural, habitat and cultural values Lance Haro, Ryan Ihm &
for the benefit of wildlife and people. Matt Logue
Protecting the health of our communities means assuring that land Nipomo Chapter
conservation keeps pace with growth. We know that our communities are Contact Herb Kandel at
growing, and it is our job to make sure that this growth is always balanced with hkandel@slonet.org
conservation. This is our pledge as your local land trust.
Santa Margarita
If you support what we do, please tell your friends Community Forestry
and encourage others to join. Contact Beverly Gingg at
bgingg@smcf.org
LANDLINES is printed on recycled paper. Sign up for our eco-friendly on-
line newsletter and preview all the same great photos & stories in full color! Page 7
 P.O. Box 12206
SLO, CA 93406

Phone: 805-544-9096
Fax: 805-544-5122

Email: LC@LCSLO.org

w w w. L C S L O . o r g

YES! I would like to support the Land Conservancy of San

Luis Obispo County—my local land trust.
Name:__________________________Address: ______________________________
Annual Donor Fund
___ $1000 + Visionary
___ $500 Guardian
___ $250 Benefactor
___ $100 Patron
___ $50 Steward
___ $30 Sustaining
h a nks
T
r y our ___ $10 Student
fo
p port! ___$____Other
su
In addition to membership, I will contribute to:
$_____Octagon Barn Fund
Help open this community icon for public use by 2010
$_____ Visionary Vistas Fund
Allows us to act quickly on time-sensitive land opportunities
$_____ Healthy Lands Forever Fund
Support restoration, maintenance and legal defense
$_____ Strength in Numbers Fund
Provides resources to connect our community with our mission
E-mail me more info:
___________________ (we do not share or spam our email list)
____ I’d like to receive the newsletter via email
____ Please email me about upcoming events & volunteering
____ Please email me about planned giving options

Membership is on an annual basis. All contributions are tax deductible. Please make checks payable to:
Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County - P.O. Box 12206 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406