How We Work: Case Studies
Case Study
Defense of Place Defends Pepperwood Preserve
Challenge
Pepperwood Ranch is a biologically rich 3,117-acre property located in the Bald Hills of Sonoma County in Northern California. The property belonged to Kenneth Bechtel, who had offered to donate the land to the California Academy of Sciences, but the Academy did not want to take the land with use restrictions at that time. Following Mr. Bechtel's death, the Academy changed its position on accepting the gift and agreed to permanently preserve the land. The deed specified that the Academy "preserve the property in its present natural state and to utilize the property for research and educational activities in the natural and environmental sciences..."
However, the Academy later concluded that the best use of the property would be to sell the land to a "special kind of buyer" who would retain the vast majority of the land in a conservation easement while permitting the academy to continue its scientific and educational programs. In 1995 a "For Sale" sign went up on the preserve offering 37 home sites.
Strategy
Local supporters of the preserve and Defense of Place went to work. Their strategy centered on a publicity campaign that focused on ethics and the responsibilities of scientific institutions to maintain their commitment to landowners who donate their land for the purpose of education or preservation.
A Defense of Place editorial "Academy of Science's sale of Pepperwood breaks a promise," published in the San Francisco Examiner mobilized long-time supporters of Pepperwood including scientists and members of the California Academy of Sciences to publicly questioned the sale. The negative publicity caused the Academy to take the property off the market.
Result
The fact that the Academy's board took Pepperwood off the market did not finally guarantee its permanent protection. While Defense of Place maintained that the Academy should be bound by its responsibility to the donor to preserve the land in perpetuity, the Academy scaled back its plans to subdivide the land for housing. Under the agreement, a single buyer will build a home on a portion of the property where development currently exists. Ninety percent of the land will be permanently protected by conservation easements. The Academy continues to use the preserve for research by graduate students and professionals, as well as adult field classes, Camp Academy, Junior Academy classes, and field trips. Defense of Place continues to monitor the agreement.
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