Saving Special Places Forever: A Vision Plan to Complete and Sustain the San Luis Obispo Greenbelt
Authors
The Natural Resources Protection Program of the City of San Luis Obispo | Spring 2017
Introduction
The City of San Luis Obispo has established a proud land conservation and natural resources protection legacy over the course of the past 20 years through its Greenbelt Protection Program. Currently, the City of San Luis Obispo has acquired approximately 3,850 acres of open space lands comprised of fourteen major properties held in open space reserve, natural reserve, agricultural reserve, or ecological reserve status. The primary purposes for these open space acquisitions is the protection of natural resources. Where appropriate and compatible with natural resource protection, these properties, collectively, also feature a trail network of both single-use trails and multi-use trails totaling over 50 miles. Open Space and Conservation Easements permanently protect another 3,400 acres of scenic hillsides, riparian habitat, and working agricultural landscapes. The Natural Resources Protection Program works in close collaboration with the Parks and Recreation Department’s Ranger Service to form the “Open Space Team” in order to implement land acquisition projects, conservation planning, long-term stewardship, proper maintenance, and appropriate public use of the City’s Open Space network within the Greenbelt.
Natural Resources Roundtable
For the 2015-17 Financial Plan period, the City Council identified “Open Space Preservation” as a Major City Goal. This provided the opportunity to establish and convene a short-term, ad-hoc committee: “The Natural Resources Roundtable: the 20th Anniversary Proceedings of the San Luis Obispo Greenbelt.” Fifteen individuals agreed to serve on the Natural Resources Roundtable, representing environmental and conservation non-profit organizations, trail groups, academia and city advisory bodies, San Luis Obispo County staff, and at-large members of the community. Over the course of six meetings in 2016, the Natural Resources Roundtable had the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue about a variety of topics pertinent to the Greenbelt Protection Program. This document reflects the major outcomes of the 20th Anniversary Proceedings.
What’s in the Vision Plan?
It is the intent of Saving Special Places Forever: A Vision Plan to Complete and Sustain the San Luis Obispo Greenbelt to be an aspirational document by articulating high-level, thematic vision statements that can be achieved over the course of the next 20 years with continued City Council and community support. These are found on the following pages: 1.) Complete the Greenbelt; 2.) Protect, Restore, and Enhance Greenbelt Natural Resources; 3.) Foster a Culture of Stewardship; 4.) The Greenbelt is Relevant and Accessible; and, 5.) The Greenbelt is Sustainable. Saving Special Places Forever is not intended to be a management plan or day-to-day operating plan, nor should it be construed as being policy-setting or regulatory in nature. Rather, it is intended to provide implementation guidance that is consistent with other documents such as the Conservation and Open Space Element of the City’s General Plan (2006), Open Space Maintenance Plan (2015), Open Space Regulations (1998), and various property specific Conservation Plans that can be found by contacting Natural Resources Program staff or by visiting the City’s website.
