Campus News
Announcing a transformative collaboration to conserve regional habitat and pursue sustainable organic-farm expansion
These initiatives — funded through philanthropy and grants — safeguard habitats for rare and endangered species, and expand opportunities for experiential learning in conservation, land stewardship, and sustainable food systems.
Dear Campus Community,
I am delighted to share some transformative news for UC Santa Cruz. In collaboration with The Conservation Fund and through the generosity of donors, the university has become the long-term steward of more than 200 acres of undeveloped coastal land next to our residential campus.
In addition, campus and TCF are pursuing the acquisition of 200-plus acres of farmland that borders our coastal campus. This property would be managed by our Center for Agroecology. In tandem, these properties will allow us to advance our work in teaching and conservation, and expand our innovative research in sustainable organic agriculture and agtech.
The parcel next to our residential campus is remarkable. Bordering city-owned Moore Creek Preserve and Wilder Ranch State Park, it stretches from Highway 1 to Empire Grade Road, and is home to both protected species and endangered habitat. It will be managed by the UC Santa Cruz Campus Natural Reserves, ensuring its long-term protection as a refuge for wildlife, living laboratory for our students, and source of inspiration for all who visit it.
The 214-acre coastal farm, which we are working to secure by 2026, abuts Younger Lagoon and our Coastal Science Campus. The land will significantly expand the UC Santa Cruz Farm, birthplace of the U.S. organic agriculture movement. This property offers us an unparalleled opportunity to advance sustainable organic farming practices, train future leaders in agriculture, and undertake research that addresses the urgent challenges of food security and environmental change.
These initiatives — funded through philanthropy and grants — safeguard habitats for rare and endangered species, and expand opportunities for experiential learning in conservation, land stewardship, and sustainable food systems. Students will be able to step directly from the classroom into these extraordinary landscapes, conducting research, engaging in fieldwork, and building the skills and knowledge needed to launch their careers and care for our natural world. The research that will be made possible will benefit communities throughout the region and the state.
This opportunity is the result of a collaboration with The Conservation Fund and the Younger family. The Conservation Fund’s commitment to protecting natural lands is instrumental in making these acquisitions possible. The Younger family has owned both properties for generations. Their history in Santa Cruz County dates to the mid-1800s, and our campus has had a relationship with the family for more than half a century. The family’s 1973 gift of Younger Lagoon and part of the land on which our coastal campus resides set the stage for decades of coastal conservation and research at our campus, and these new properties will further that work.
This is a legacy moment for UC Santa Cruz. It reflects our deep commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainability, and the creation of knowledge that serves society. I am so proud of the work we have done to preserve this land, and I am excited for what comes next as we work to complete the second phase of this visionary effort. My thanks to the many individuals and organizations who are helping to bring this vision to life. We have much more work to do, and I look forward to pursuing those efforts together with our community partners.
At UC Santa Cruz, we are working diligently to advance conservation, perform cutting-edge environmental and agricultural research, and provide wide-ranging experiential-learning opportunities for students. This initiative will allow us to expand these efforts, widening our impact and furthering our mission to serve our students and society.
Sincerely,
Cindy
Cynthia Larive
Chancellor