California to convert 2,060 coastal acres into nature preserve with trails

A significant conservation initiative on California's Central Coast has secured funding to convert over 2,000 acres near the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant into a public nature preserve, marking a major expansion of accessible outdoor recreation in the region.

The Wildlands Conservancy announced the $42 million deal to acquire and develop the 2,060-acre Wild Cherry Canyon property. The preserve will feature a network of hiking trails and designated campsites designed to accommodate public access while safeguarding the ecological and cultural value of the landscape.

A key component of the project involves protecting Native American cultural sites within the preserve boundaries. The Wildlands Conservancy has committed to integrating Indigenous heritage considerations into management and visitor experiences at the site.

According to project timelines, the full preserve is expected to open to the public within five years. Guided tours of the property may commence as early as next year, allowing early public engagement with the site before comprehensive trail and facility development is completed.

The conservation project represents a broader effort to balance resource protection with recreational access along California's Central Coast, an increasingly significant objective as population pressures mount in the region.