In a historic milestone for Indigenous-led conservation, the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County has reclaimed 1,720 acres of ancestral land in Big Sur through a transfer facilitated by The Wildlands Conservancy.
This land return marks the first time in more than 250 years that the Esselen people have regained ownership of part of their homeland. The Tribe plans to use the land for traditional ceremonies, ecological restoration, and educational programming centered on cultural and environmental stewardship. The acquisition was made possible through a partnership with The Wildlands Conservancy and support from the California Natural Resources Agency, signaling a new chapter for collaborative conservation. The Esselen Tribe of Monterey County is a current TCA Confluence Program grantee.
