Dana Point, California, is a small coastal city just south of Laguna Beach. Like much of the southern California coast, it has been developed. The Dana Point Preserve is a 29 acre site on a point nestled between the pacific ocean and existing and future development. Through land mitigation efforts, this land is now part of the Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM). Friday I spent the afternoon with the board and senior staff of CNLM, toured the Preserve and discussed the organizations’ existing operations, challenges and opportunities. I was fascinated to learn that CNLM manages more than 60 natural areas in California plus a preserve in Washington State. My cousin introduced me to the organization as he volunteers regularly at their site in Twenty-Nine Palms. At the Dana Point Preserve, the habitat includes 105 native plant species of which 8 are considered rare, 109 animals species including two on the Endangered Species list. One of those is the Pacific Pocket Mouse. This mouse was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered at the Preserve in 1993. There are trails through the Preserve where not only do you see the vegetation, many types of birds, but spectacular views of the ocean. The Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center sits at the entrance to the preserve and is operated by the City of Dana Point. www.cnlm.org
