Public lands—national parks, national forests, and national monuments—belong to all of us, but over time, small parcels of public lands have been turned over to private ownership. These “inholdings” often date back decades, relics of homesteading laws and old mining patents. Some are located along the outer edges of parks and forests, while others are deep in the heart of these special places. Wherever they are found, private inholdings can leave large chunks of public lands vulnerable to development, road construction, and resource extraction like mining, fossil fuel drilling, or logging.
Hundreds of private inholdings are found in Los Padres National Forest, Carrizo Plain National Monument, and other public lands in our region. These inholdings can break up the continuity of public lands, restrict public access, and place nature at risk.
ForestWatch strategically purchases inholdings from willing sellers and also receives donations of land. We protect our properties over the long-term using conservation easements and responsible land stewardship practices that allow the forces of nature and wildness to flourish, that allow ecosystems to thrive, and that may provide for some low-impact recreation and access. We are not a traditional land trust, but occasionally we partner with some and use the power of our own 501(c)(3) nonprofit status to rapidly mobilize and purchase property so that it can be protected in perpetuity.
Once we acquire an inholding, we conduct baseline assessments, create a long-term management plan, and place a permanent conservation easement on the property. A conservation easement is a legal mechanism that places permanent restrictions on the land to protect wildlife, open space, and cultural sites.
Our Conservation Portfolio
ForestWatch currently owns 68 acres atop Tecuya Ridge in the San Emigdio Mountains. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we purchased this property in 2023 and are now working on several short- and long-term conservation initiatives.
This property is only open on a limited basis by written permission, to allow us to complete surveys and a long-term management plan. If you would like to access the property, please submit your request to us in advance. The property is monitored regularly. Hunting, shooting, and trespassing are not allowed in this wildlife preserve.
Work With Us!
As other opportunities become available, we hope to expand our land acquisition program. If you are considering selling your inholding , or would like to donate or leave property to ForestWatch in your will, please contact us.
