Pajaro Estuary Restoration (Land Trust of Santa Cruz County)

Led by the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, the Pajaro Estuary Restoration program will restore agricultural properties affected by flooding to estuarine wetlands, as mutually agreed on by the Land Trust and landowners.

The program includes the fully acquired 247-acre Beach Ranch and planned acquisition of conservation easements on the 63-acre Malatesta Ranch and 111-acre West Beach Ranch. Together, these properties encompass 2.8 miles of shoreline and 70 acres of coastal wetlands. Restoration efforts aim to enhance estuary function, provide accommodation space for floodwaters, protect inland farmland, roads, residences, and park infrastructure, and establish a nature-based buffer to reduce climate-related risks such as storm surge, sea level rise, and saltwater intrusion.