The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County has further closed the gap in funding for the Pismo Preserve. On September 24 the non-profit announced that an anonymous donor had offered a $100,000 match challenge, agreeing to double any donations to the Pismo Preserve through October 15, 2019 up to that amount.
After a 22-day social media and e-mail blitz, The Land Conservancy announced on October 16 that 441 community members had contributed $93,509.94 towards the challenge match, and that another supporter had come forward to close the gap and donate the remaining $6,490.06 to meet the $100,000 goal.
“I continue to be amazed and humbled by the public support that this project has garnered. Our team is so grateful for every match donation these past few weeks, every person who shared the need, and those who came through with thoughtful support,” said Kaila Dettman, Executive Director of The Land Conservancy.
With the challenge match complete, the organization is $200,000 closer to finishing fundraising for the remaining construction at the Pismo Preserve. The total now left to raise is $550,000 of the $17 million project (excluding the construction of an ADA accessible walkway).
“We encourage everyone who has helped us get this far to continue to spread the word about this amazing place and our remaining funding needs,” said Dettman. “We know there are several individuals and businesses interested in providing significant gifts and we are well within striking distance of finishing this project. We are so incredibly close to opening the Pismo Preserve trails for everyone to enjoy and the time is now…adventure is waiting.”
To make a tax-deductible charitable donation to support the Pismo Preserve individuals and businesses can make an online donation on The Conservancy’s website at www.LCSLO.org or call Kaila Dettman, Executive Director, at 805-544-9096.
Access to the Preserve’s 11 miles of trail is closed while construction is ongoing, but the public can look forward to daily access, from dawn to dusk, once all construction is complete at the end of the year. Once completed, walkers, hikers, bikers, and equestrians will be able to enjoy the Pismo Preserve seven days a week.
The Pismo Preserve was purchased by The Land Conservancy in 2014 with outstanding support from the community. It will be a phenomenal public park for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians with high-quality single-track trails, beautiful panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, and stunning oak-studded canyons.
The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County is a community-supported local nonprofit land trust working toconserve and care for the diverse wildlands, farms, and ranches of the Central Coast, connecting people to the land and to each other. The land trust helps to protect drinking water sources, prevent poorly planned development, restore wildlife habitat, promote family farmlands and ranches in our region, and connect people of all ages and backgrounds to the land. The Land Conservancy leads collaborative efforts which have resulted in the permanent protection over 25,000 acres of land in San Luis Obispo County.