LandPaths Protects Ocean Song
Category: Blog, LandPaths Preserves, Ocean Song
By LandPaths Staff
November 1, 2019
The iconic 421-acre property has a legacy of rural, wild, and agricultural heritage, and environmental education.
LandPaths announced the acquisition of Ocean Song, a 421-acre property, of which 240 acres is protected by a “forever wild” conservation easement. Situated in the coastal hills of western Sonoma County, Ocean Song teems with coastal grasslands, pristine creeks and ponds, canyons, oak woodlands, redwoods, and acres of garden and farmland. Set atop a ridge, the land inspires awe with sweeping views up and down the Pacific Coast. Abundant plant and animal life call this place home
“The purchase of Ocean Song allows for connectivity—for both nature and people—that is mind-blowing,” said Craig Anderson, Executive Director of LandPaths. “We are making the journey to Ocean Song not to change the landscape, but to allow it to change us. It’s clearly going to be a larger effort than any of our other acquisitions, to date. But what’s worth doing that doesn’t require courage, sweat, and love for our community and this place?
History of Ocean Song
The property that became Ocean Song, a former cattle ranch, was purchased by Pieter and Marya Myers in 1975 after they befriended Bill Wheeler, owner of the infamous Wheeler Ranch on the neighboring parcel, where hundreds of people lived and camped at the height of 1970s hippie counterculture. Along with a community of friends, the Myers took over the cattle barns and other infrastructure, creating from scratch an organic farm and one of the first local community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs.
In 1995, the Myers moved to the adjacent parcel and made a bargain sale of the property, creating Ocean Song Farm and Wilderness Center. In 1999, Ocean Song officially became a nonprofit, managing environmental education programs and public access.
A Shared Vision
The current Ocean Song Farm and Wilderness Board of Directors said in a statement: “We are very pleased by the purchase of the Ocean Song property by LandPaths. Ocean Song Farm and Wilderness Center has a legacy of fostering environmental education, particularly children’s nature education, community events and the stewardship of the plant and animal communities that live there. Our focus has been on a connection to and love of the land. LandPaths is well-positioned to continue and expand upon this tradition and provide the stewardship, program management, and volunteers needed for the land to reach its full potential as a public resource and model of ecological health and diversity. We look forward to the unfolding of our shared future vision.”
Pieter and Marya, Ocean Song’s founders and current neighbors, credit Anderson’s persistence throughout the two-year process to get the acquisition across the finish line. “It took Craig and other people a lot of work, time, and negotiations to see this through,” said Pieter.
He continued: “LandPaths is about connecting people to natural, open space areas for the experience, education, and inspiration. It was just a match. We don’t have to tell LandPaths what to do; they’ve got it figured out really well. Craig is completely committed to getting kids on the land—that’s the main event.”
Future Plans
LandPaths purchased the property from Andrew Beath of Malibu, California, for just over $3.1 million. Two local families donated anonymously to make the acquisition possible. LandPaths is in the midst of a fundraising campaign for the project’s next phase: to buy Pieter and Marya Myers adjoining property—with their full support.
“This land acquisition is a big win for the public,” says Congressman Jared Huffman. “I can’t imagine another place in my congressional district where Point Reyes and the Farallon Islands, wild coastal forest, and high coastal grasslands are captured in one view. This property conveys the tremendous natural beauty and resources along the north coast, and is arguably some of the most beautiful scenery on earth. We are very lucky indeed.”
