The POST post: a chance to be part of history
Its expansive panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean extend all the way down to Monterey Bay. Facing south, breathtaking landscapes of the Santa Cruz Mountains are shaded periwinkle blue in the distance. Natural springs, numerous creeks, and wetland habitat are distinct features as well as its bigleaf maples, bay laurels and lush grasslands. Across its 1,047 acres of premier hilltop ranchland, opportunities for fine hiking experiences abound.
Located within a strategic swath of nearly 33,000 acres of open space, Mindego Hill is a critical link in a chain of open lands extending along the spine of the Santa Cruz Mountain range. Image source: Peninsula Open Space Trust.
This isn’t heaven, but it’s close. And though this dramatic mountain property is quite real, its future as a wilderness destination may not be. That’s why the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) is asking for our help in preserving the landscape known as Mindego Hill, which is adjacent to the Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve near the junction of Skyline Boulevard and Alpine Road.
Since its founding in 1977, POST has been responsible for saving 60,000 acres as permanent open space and parkland in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties. From the POST website, GoMindego.org:
Mindego Hill requires immediate and extraordinary action to prevent private development of the land. With its proximity to Silicon Valley and world-class views, this premiere property is a prime candidate for subdivision, which would result in a gradual diminishing of resource values and scenic protection.
If we don’t protect Mindego Hill now, we could lose this signature landscape forever. POST seeks to protect the land’s visual impact, wildlife habitat, watershed resources and recreation potential for the benefit of all. By purchasing this property for ultimate transfer to a public agency, we can ensure permanent protection of the land, so that views remain beautiful, wildlife corridors uninterrupted, watersheds pristine and hiking trails bountiful.
POST purchased the ranch in October with the hope of transferring the land to the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD) later this year. They’re now trying to raise $6.9 million to permanently protect the Mindego Hill open space. They have recently received a dollar-for-dollar challenge grant from a foundation (who wishes to remain anonymous) that will match our gifts to help POST raise the remaining funds needed to safeguard this natural area. In effect, if you were to make a $50 donation, your donation would be doubled to $100 by the foundation.
The good news is that of that $6.9 million, $6.4 million has already been donated! If you’d like to help make up the difference and perhaps make a little history while you’re at it, you can make a donation here to prevent Mindego Hill from becoming McMansionville. For more information, including a photo gallery and a series of videos, check out GoMindego.org.
Editor’s note: I donated $100 to the Mindego Hill cause and dedicated my donation to my high school music teacher Don Carre, who was also an avid backpacker. (See my post titled In Memoriam to a profound man.)
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