Photo: PVP Land Conservancy
In July 2022, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes and the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy closed escrow as co-buyers on the acquisition of 96 acres of scenic coastal land to expand the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve. The acquisition of the Lower Filiorum and Plumtree properties located above Palos Verdes Drive South in Portuguese Bend will forever protect this natural land from threats of development. The land is now owned by the City and the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy holds a conservation easement to restore critical wildlife in its duties as the Preserve Habitat Manager.
“For over 35 years, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes and the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy have collaborated to acquire and conserve approximately 1,500 acres of land within our city. These beautiful lands can now to be protected forever,” said Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor Dave Bradley. “The acquisition of this 96-acre parcel will further protect the scenic landscape and provide a coastal wildlife corridor connecting the coast to lands above. This is a dream fulfilled for the founders of Rancho Palos Verdes and residents throughout the Peninsula. This success is the product of a long and strong partnership between the City and the Land Conservancy.”
The acquisition was made possible in part by $19.7 million in public funds, including $1.3 million from the City, a $12.6 million grant from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and $4.8 million in matching funds from the California Wildlife Conservation Board. $2.3 million was contributed by the Land Conservancy, of which $1 million was a grant from the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District from Measure A and the remainder from generous community supporters. Stay tuned for the “Go Wild for the Peninsula” $30 million campaign to create a wildlife corridor on this important new parcel of land. For more information visit: GoWildPV.org.