GUARDING GAVIOTA:

The joint efforts of the Land Trust of Santa Barbara County and
the California Rangeland Trust were rewarded last week, as nearly
2,000 acres of rolling Gaviota rangeland were officially placed in
conservation easements. The long-speculated deal effectively
protects the agricultural and ecological value of the El Choro
Ranch and the Rancho La Purísima forever. Located three miles north
of Buellton just off Highway 101, the 1,007-acre La Purísima is an
active cattle ranch owned by Paul McEnroe, the director of the
County Cattlemen’s Association. The 871-acre El Choro
property – which is part of the original Rancho San Julian land
grant – is situated south of Lompoc, among the north ridges off
Highway 1. The financial terms of the preservation deal were
undisclosed as of press time.