The Morro Coast Audubon Society recently announced the acquisition and permanent protection of eight acres adjacent to its existing Sweet Springs Nature Preserve in Los Osos, San Luis Obispo County. The deal to acquire the shorefront property was made possible with the help of the Trust for Public Land, which executed an option to purchase the land, then worked with MCAS to raise funds for the acquisition. The east Sweet Springs property includes 400 feet of Morro Bay’s southern shoreline which hosts critically important coastal wetlands, marsh, mudflats, and upland coastal scrub.

The property has long been threatened by residential development due to its large lot size, shorefront location, proximity to urban amenities, and stunning views of the bay and Morro Rock. MCAS and TPL have been trying to acquire the property as an addition to the Preserve for almost a decade. Negotiations began in 2001, died in 2003 and started up again in 2006. TPL and Audubon are extremely grateful to the Donovan family for their ultimate agreement to sell the property for the benefit of the public and wildlife.

“We are thrilled to expand the Nature Preserve to include this important shoreline property. We look forward to expanding our restoration efforts and trails on this new property and opening the site up for public enjoyment and education,” said Jan Surbey, president of the Morro Coast Audubon Society.

In 1995, the Morro Bay Estuary was included in the National Estuary Program (NEP) due to its water quality issues and critical importance for migratory birds on the Pacific Flyway. A community and multi-agency effort known as the Morro Estuary Greenbelt Alliance (MEGA) emerged shortly thereafter to protect the multiple endemic special status species, the remaining undeveloped lands on the shoreline, and important habitat lands and trails between Montana de Oro State Park and Morro Bay State Park. 

“Every year, Morro Bay ranks among the Audubon Society’s Top Ten Birding Areas in the nation.  This acquisition will greatly expand birding opportunities for everyone,” said Henry Pontarelli, strategic development chair of MCAS.

A special community event to celebrate the new addition to the Preserve will be held on Sunday, September 21, 2008, at 2 p.m. The event is open to the public and will include a brief ceremony about the project and land, docent-led tours, fun activities for kids, food and drinks  Everyone is welcome.

Funding for the acquisition was generously provided by the Wildlife Conservation Board, State Coastal Conservancy, the USFWS National Coastal Wetlands Program, and the USFWS Section VI – Recovery Land Acquisition Program, with support from Senators Feinstein and Boxer for the federal monies.