THE LAND CONSERVANCY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY

Case Study: The Finger Family, San Luis Obispo Creek

Overview/History

Through a volunteer-based water-quality monitoring program, the importance of San Luis Obispo Creek as an integral natural and recreational asset reached great heights. Around this time, former Land Conservancy Board member Bob Jones advocated for a creek-side trail that would simultaneously protect San Luis Obispo Creek while allowing the public to enjoy the beauty of this special place.

Agency Collaboration

• City of San Luis Obispo
• Department of Agriculture

Property Description and Location

The Land Conservancy currently owns three creek-side lands along 1.3 miles of San Luis Obispo Creek for a grand total of 102 acres. The Land Conservancy also holds conservation easements on two additional miles of riparian corridor. The remainder of the land along the trail is both privately and publicly owned.

The Bob Jones Bike Trail begins at Ontario Road just off San Luis Bay Drive. The trail follows San Luis Obispo Creek along Avila Beach Drive to Avila Beach, where it ends at the promenade with a view of the creek emptying into the Pacific Ocean. Plans are underway to expand the trail system to include a trailhead closer to the city of San Luis Obispo at the Octagon Barn on South Higuera.

Conservation Tools Used

• Conservation easement
• Land acquisition
• Educational signage
• Volunteer research & data (water quality monitoring)

Our Goal

The main goal of this project was to improve water quality of the lower San Luis Obispo Creek floodplain as well to maintain existing agricultural uses and the existing buffers between those uses and the creek. Other goals were to protect the scenic viewshed from Highway 101 and provide a route for the Bob Jones City-to-Sea Bike Trail.

The Challenge / Special Considerations

Because the area along the creek was mainly held by private owners, restoration efforts were looked at hesitantly. Once the Land Conservancy had completed a few sections along the creek and residents had an opportunity to see the quality of work, they were ready to assist The Land Conservancy with their efforts.

Actions

• Restoration work along the creek and riparian corridors
• Right of way easements trail
• Interpretive sign installation

Results

The Bob Jones City-to-Sea Bike Trail provides a beautiful and safe recreational path to Avila Beach that helps maintain water quality of the lower San Luis Obispo Creek Floodplain Preserve. Widely used by locals and tourists, the trail exemplifies a win-win situation for people, the economy and nature. The Land Conservancy posted interpretive steelhead trout signage along the route to educate people about this federally listed species.