The Violini Ranch

Small_violini_may_2_2007_004

West of Gonzales, stretching over the Sierra de Salinas ridgeline into Carmel Valley, there lies a remarkable expanse of land that evokes a California of another time. Owned and protected for over three decades by Salinas farmers and brothers Henry and Johnny Violini, the 4000-acre Violini Ranch supports a diversity of blue and valley oak woodlands, native grasslands, savannas, and wetlands—all of rare quality. The property’s rolling hills and narrow canyons serve as an important link in the wildlife corridor connecting the Ventana Wilderness to the northern edges of Salinas Valley. This is land that recalls the iconic grandeur of California wilderness, of sycamore and cottonwood forests winding down through the Salinas Valley and golden grasslands blanketing the Sierra de Salinas range.

With a lead gift from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Land Trust worked with The Nature Conservancy to purchase a conservation easement in 2007 that will help the Violini brothers preserve their ranch forever. Under the terms of the agreement, BSLT will hold and monitor the easement. The Nature Conservancy, which provided assistance in developing the easement and monitoring guidelines, has dedicated a generous endowment for future monitoring and management. The Violini easement covers 3,200 acres of the property and ensures that the land will remain in a natural state. It allows the Violinis to maintain ownership of the entire property, while permanently preventing development from occurring on the portion included in the easement. The easement supports continued cattle grazing and low-impact recreation, with all activities conducted in ways that do not threaten the ranch’s natural resources.

The Violini brothers have cared for this land with a gentle hand and an impressive stewardship ethic, respectful of their property’s rich native landscape and its diverse wildlife. As Henry Violini says, “My brother and I love this land and have spent decades exploring every part of it. We’ve enjoyed the views of the Salinas Valley and Monterey Bay and relished seeing bucks and other wildlife. We wanted to make sure this land stays just the way it is, forever.”

Learn more about how conservation easements work.
You can support stewardship of our lands and waters.