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Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy
Proposition 1 Competitive Grant Program
Robin's Nest Acquisition Project

I Proposal Overview
Provide a short general overview, including applicant, location, general timeframe, amount asked, total Project budget, etc.

The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is pleased to submit a Proposition 1 grant proposal for the acquisition of
the 51.4-acre Robin's Nest property in Acton, CA, in the San Gabriel Mountains. The protection of this
property will achieve the purposes of Proposition 1 by protecting and allowing for the restoration of land
which contains 0.5 miles of the Santa Clara River, one of the few remaining free-flowing riparian systems in
southern California. The Project will also protect over six acres of wetlands and more than 23 acres of
permeable soils for groundwater recharge. Protecting this property and the species that depend on its unique
and functioning riparian and upland habitat will close a critical privately-owned gap between two sections of
the Angeles National Forest. The Project will also prove transformative from a recreational standpoint,
protecting and expanding a critical section of the Pacific Crest Trail, which crosses the property.

The Robin's Nest Acquisition Project is named after the RV Park and campground that previously operated
on the property. The developed portion of the property was heavily damaged by the Sand Fire in July 2016. If
it is not preserved, the owners will seek to rebuild the RV Resort or transform it into residential housing in
one of the fastest growing regions in Los Angeles County.

The fair market value of the property (APNs 3209-008-12, -013, -16) is expected to be $2,500,000, and TPL is
requesting $1,000,000 in SMMC Proposition 1 funds to be put towards this acquisition. The Project is
expected to be completed by February 2018. Please see both “Scope of Work” and “Project
Readiness/Feasibility” below for more detailed information on the timeframe and milestones.

II Applicant and Partner Background
Provide applicant background and partner background. Show how applicant/partner has successfully completed multiple Projects
of similar size and scope; talk about how the Project is a partnership between two or more organizations and each organization
has committed to contributing toward Project implementation; show that applicant/partner has 1+ years experience maintaining
and operating Projects of similar size and scope.

The Trust for Public land is partnering with the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA)
to complete the Project, consisting of the purchase and conservation of 51.4 acres of land. Upon acquisition,
TPL will transfer ownership to MRCA to be owned and managed as part of their significant open space
reserve system.

Both TPL and MRCA have long histories of successful land conservation and stewardship and have
partnered on fourteen projects in Los Angeles County alone, from pocket parks on the Los Angeles River to
large open-space preserves. Since 1972, TPL has completed more than 5,000 conservation projects, and
protected more than three million acres nationwide. Established in 1985 pursuant to the Joint Powers Act,
the MRCA is a partnership between the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, a state agency established by
the Legislature, and the Conejo Recreation and Park District and the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park
District, both of which are local park agencies established by the vote of the people in those communities.
The MRCA works in cooperation with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and other local government
partners for the preservation and management of local open space and parkland, watershed lands, trails, and
wildlife habitat. The MRCA has acquired fee title to over 10,000 acres for natural resource conservation and
manages over 75,000 acres of parkland.

III Scope of Work

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