The final acquisition needed to complete the scenic and biologically rich NCCP habitat preserve on the Palos Verdes Peninsula was completed at the very end of 2009.

Stretching nearly five miles across the City of Rancho Palos Verdes from the San Pedro border to Point Vicente, the basic preserve covers about 1400 acres of coastal sage scrub and related habitats. It is home to a thriving population of California gnatcatchers and, where cactus occurs in denser stands, cactus wrens. Small portions of the preserve along the coastal bluffs also support the endangered El Segundo blue butterfly, and plans are underway to reintroduce another endangered butterfly, the Palos Verdes blue, into its historic home range.

The preserve is made up of a patchwork of private and public holdings, today largely owned by the City of Rancho Palos Verdes and managed by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy. While the final NCCP documents have yet to be signed, the underlying agreements have been worked out and what remains to be done are the last parts of the public review process. The final 50-year agreement is expected to be formally accepted by all parties in June 2010.

Over its lifetime, a few additions to the preserve are expected, however, none are critical to its success, nor is the total area expected to increase by more than 10-15%. Far more important will be the ability of the City and Land Conservancy to raise the management and restoration funds needed for operations. To date, funding for acquisitions has been attractive to local donors and the City, while state and federal agencies have given funds to meet NCCP goals.

All parties are celebrating the NCCP’s successful “completion.” In reality, though, the true test of the NCCP begins now. Can it become a self-sustaining entity that meets all needs of the plants and animals the NCCP is intended to protect?