Preserving Habitat. Expanding Opportunity.
To advance conservation, teaching, and research, UC Santa Cruz and The Conservation Fund (TCF) announced a collaboration that will conserve more than 200 acres of currently privately held land adjacent to the residential campus.
In addition, the campus is pursuing a transformative plan to expand UC Santa Cruz’s research and education in sustainable organic agriculture through the acquisition of another 200-plus acres of private farmland that borders its coastal campus.
Together, these properties create an unparalleled opportunity to advance UCSC’s leadership in agroecology, conservation, and sustainability while preserving critical coastal landscapes for future generations.
These initiatives are being made possible through philanthropy and public and private grants.
“What we’re doing will protect species-rich undeveloped natural lands, provide our students with transformational hands-on learning opportunities, and expand the university’s research to help farmers sustainably grow healthy food for the region and beyond.”
– Cynthia Larive, UC Santa Cruz Chancellor
PHASE 1: Habitat conservation, research, and education
The first initiative involves more than 200 acres of privately held land bordering the UC Santa Cruz campus, Moore Creek Reserve, and Wilder Ranch State Park.
Made possible through private grants and philanthropy, the land was officially transferred from The Conservation Fund to the campus on August 20, 2025. UC Santa Cruz’s Campus Natural Reserves will steward the land to ensure its long-term protection.
The site will be preserved from development and nearly half of the property will include permanent habitat for protected species including the Ohlone Tiger Beetle and California red-legged frog.
The land will be used for research, field internships, outdoor experiential learning, and wildlife conservation.
The proximity of the property will allow students to integrate their classroom studies with hands-on experience, moving between main campus courses and the living laboratories of the inland reserve, making experiential learning a natural part of their daily academic life.
PHASE 2: Expanding sustainable organic agriculture
Phase two of the initiative involves UC Santa Cruz and The Conservation Fund working together to secure an additional 200-plus acres adjacent to UCSC’s Coastal Science Campus and Younger Lagoon.
This ocean-fronting property, mostly farmland, would allow the university to expand the nationally recognized UC Santa Cruz Farm, birthplace of the U.S. organic farming movement.
Both the university and The Conservation Fund are working to raise private and public resources to realize this ambitious vision by summer 2026.
The property shares an approximately one-mile border with the university’s Coastal Science Campus including Younger Lagoon (one of campus’ existing natural reserves) and Wilder Ranch State Park. The property would significantly expand the university’s work on sustainable coastal agriculture and provide an innovative example of sustainable organic farming practices on the Central Coast.
This coastal land—it’s one in a generation. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. These 220 acres of agricultural ground hold endless potential for shaping the future of agroecology at UC Santa Cruz.”
– Darryl G. Wong, Executive Director of UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology
Community voices of support
“This is a visionary step by UC Santa Cruz that will benefit our region for generations to come. By protecting this land, the university is not only strengthening the community’s vital greenbelt, but also advancing its mission of environmental research, hands-on education, and thoughtful stewardship. As a longtime advocate for conservation, I applaud UC Santa Cruz for once again demonstrating leadership in preserving the natural beauty and ecological integrity of the Central Coast.”
– State Senator John Laird
“I’m thrilled to see UC Santa Cruz expanding its commitment to conservation. Protecting open space on the Central Coast is essential for preserving biodiversity, supporting climate resilience, and providing meaningful opportunities for education and research. This investment reflects the university’s leadership in environmental stewardship and its deep connection to the Santa Cruz community.”
– Assemblymember Gail Pellerin
“UC Santa Cruz stewarding this land is a tremendous win for conservation, education, and the people of Santa Cruz. Expanding protected open space next to the Moore Creek Reserve for education and research as well as investing in resilient farming practices not only strengthens our local food systems, but it also positions our region to help meet the challenges of climate change. I commend UC Santa Cruz for its leadership in managing this land for public benefit and for deepening the connection between our community and the extraordinary landscape we call home.”
– Santa Cruz County Supervisor Justin Cummings
“The Conservation Fund is a national conservation organization. We’ve been working in California for 20 years, and in that time, we’ve had the chance to work on conserving over 600,000 acres of property throughout the state. We are so happy to have a partner like UC Santa Cruz that has a vision and the capacity not only to manage this property, but to use it as a laboratory for education and research for the future.”
– Dan Medeiros, Senior Field Representative at The Conservation Fund
Support our efforts
We are seeking philanthropic partners to help UC Santa Cruz secure this once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure the additional 200-plus acres adjacent to UCSC’s Coastal Science Campus and Younger Lagoon. This initiative will connect ecosystems, advance sustainable agriculture research, and create unparalleled experiential learning environments for generations to come.
For more information contact giving@ucsc.edu