Coastal Sage, Chaparral and Nearby Mountains, Part 2

Oak woodlands where condors soar, the nation’s rarest pine tree, and the Mountains to Sea Trail

This section describes the national systems of public lands and notable private lands which protect natural landscapes in the Mediterranean climate ecoregions of western North America. The areas listed are between 115 and 120 degrees West and 31 and 40 degrees north. Other Mediterranean climate areas exist to the west. The categories listed are National Forest System, National Landscape Conservation System, National Marine Sanctuaries, National Natural Landmarks, National Park System, Federal Recreation Lakes, National Scenic Trails, National Wild and Scenic River System, Federal Wilderness Areas, and National Wildlife Refuge System. Some of these categories overlap. For example, wilderness areas exist on national forests, national parks, national wildlife refuges, and elsewhere in the national system of public lands. National wild and scenic rivers also exist in forests, parks, and other public lands. These lands differ in the amount of public access allowed, from none to extensive, the types and amount of outdoor recreation activities allowed, and in water and vegetation management. Over time, the management philosophies of these different categories of lands have come closer together as the recognition of the need to manage lands in a coordinated manner increases. The section concludes with information on state and local sites and private land conservation efforts. The list of federal, state, local, and private sites is selective and no effort is made to identify all such sites. Designation of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) is a private effort coordinated by BirdLife International internationally and the National Audubon Society and American Bird Conservancy in the U.S. Where an area is listed as an IBA, that is noted in the description. Continue reading