Esselen Return: Restoring Land and Water, Reviving Tradition

The Esselen Tribe of Monterey County was founded with the goal of continuing cultural traditions and preserving the cultural heritage of the historic tribes that are located within Monterey County, along with protecting and preserving the recognized and unrecognized sacred lands and archeological sites. Over the next couple years, they will be building up their capacity to care for and restore the lands that they have already regained and co-steward, while working to acquire and co-manage additional landscapes. This includes: (1) the 1,199-acre Eagle Peak Rancheria that they acquired in 2020, (2) restoration of 387 acres of wilderness along the North Fork of the Little Sur River in partnership with Western Rivers Conservancy, (3) acquisition of the 1,720-acre Rana Creek Ranch South parcel and (3) co-management of multiple parcels with California State Parks, the Big Sur Land Trust, and the Wildlands Conservancy that includes public access/recreation opportunities.