Redwood Coast Land Conservancy

Mill Bend Project In 2020 we had major fundraising for Stewardship to secure the 113 acre Mill Bend project. This parcel extends along both sides of Hwy 1 at the southern end of the town of Gualala and includes a quiet lagoon, historical landmarks and important habitat for steelhead trout, bald eagle, river otter and other wildlife. The project will protect wetlands and also restore an old mill site to a more natural state. This will be supported by several community groups and provide some public trails to connect with the California Coastal Trail and perhaps be a gateway to a more extended Gualala River Park with public trails going 7 miles up the river. This is a major new project that will benefit the local community and become the gateway to a possible Gualala River Park. We were able acquire the Mill Bend property in January 2021 with help from grants from US Fish and Wildlife and California Coastal Conservancy funds.

Gualala Bluff Trail (GBT)and Cooks Beach public access (CB) The initial phase of the public access Gualala Bluff trail was created in 1998. In 2004 RCLC received coastal development and building permits for phase 2 to continue the trail south another 700 feet. The Bluff top trail overlooks the mouth of the Gualala River Estuary and Beach and is centrally located in the commercial area of Gualala. We have many volunteers monitoring and maintaining it. Cooks Beach: In 2003 we accepted a public access easement to Cooks Beach and a viewing area on the bluff above it. In 2008 and 2009 we improved the trail and a new concrete stairway to Cooks beach was constructed. The new trail and stairway were dedicated in April 2010.Volunteers maintain this trail.

Public access lands and conservation easements. Hearn Gulch Headlands and Beach was acquired in 2001 and 2005. The property is 5 plus acres in five parcels, just south of Schooner Gulch State Beach on the ocean side of Highway 1. It provides coastal views and public access to a beautiful pocket beach and also has rare species of wildflowers. The California Coastal Conservancy provided the majority of funds. The California Native Plant Society and The Community Foundation of Mendocino County also provided funds for acquisition and improvements. New signage and trail improvements were added in 2008 and 2009 and we held a grand opening in May 2010. We maintain the beach trail and other trails and also periodically remove invasive weeds. We are planning to acquire an adjacent parcel to the north to allow a new 1 mile segment of the coastal trail.