Montage Health land donation to Big Sur Land Trust enhances conservation of sensitive dunes habitat in Marina
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Monica Sciuto, Montage Health, monica.sciuto@montagehealth.org, (831) 622-2756
Contact: Carla Zilliox, Big Sur Land Trust, czilliox@bigsurlandtrust.org (831) 625-5523 x108
The donation provides opportunities for the public to care for conserved lands and experience the health benefits of connecting with nature through responsible access.
MARINA, CA — Martin Dunes, a 125-acre nature preserve in Marina, will benefit from increased stewardship and responsible public access thanks to a land donation from Montage Health of their share of the property interest to Big Sur Land Trust. The nature preserve, located south of the Salinas River Wildlife Refuge, is an important component of protected sand dune ecosystems along the arc of Monterey Bay.
The public will have more opportunities to experience and care for sensitive habitat while enjoying the natural beauty of the area and reaping the mental and physical health benefits of being in nature.
“Montage Health’s donation is an outstanding example of inspiring love of land across generations, conservation of our unique Monterey County landscapes, and access to outdoor experiences for all,” says Jeannette Tuitele-Lewis, President and CEO of Big Sur Land Trust. “Big Sur Land Trust’s managed access at Martin Dunes means that people can experience this rare, restored dune habitat through guided hikes and volunteer stewardship days.”
Successful dune restoration efforts implemented by Big Sur Land Trust make Martin Dunes a model for land stewardship in coastal habitats. Part of the Monterey Bay Dunes Complex, Martin Dunes is considered some of the best quality remaining dune habitat within this landscape. Conservation efforts afford locals and visitors the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful landscape while nurturing their physical and mental health in these serene settings.
“This partnership between Montage Health and Big Sur Land Trust is twofold,” says Dr. Steven Packer, President and CEO of Montage Health, “because we are supporting the proven health benefits of being outdoors in nature, and we're protecting the sensitive habitats that make this area so special.”
Theodore Leidig, a member of the extended Martin family, bequeathed his interest in Martin Dunes to Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula, now Montage Health. Now the donation of their share of the Martin Dunes property gives the Land Trust greater ability to care for and manage the land into the future. The donation is one example of Montage Health’s larger efforts to inspire the pursuit of optimal health for the Monterey County community. Please visit bigsurlandtrust.org/martin-dunes-marina for more information on the history of Martin Dunes and Big Sur Land Trust’s award-winning dune restoration efforts.
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ABOUT MONTAGE HEALTH
Montage Health is the local, nonprofit parent company of a family of organizations dedicated to improving lives by delivering exceptional care and inspiring the pursuit of optimal health. Through its subsidiaries and its partnerships with doctors and other clinicians, healthcare and community organizations, and, most importantly community members, Montage Health is dedicated to care that is coordinated across all care settings to meet each person’s goals and needs. Montage Health companies include Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, Montage Medical Group, Montage Health Foundation, Montage Wellness Center, Aspire Health, and MoGo Urgent Care. For more information, visit www.montagehealth.org.
ABOUT BIG SUR LAND TRUST
Big Sur Land Trust (BSLT) is a non-profit organization with a mission to inspire love of land across generations, conservation of our unique Monterey County landscapes, and access to outdoor experiences for all. We see a future where natural landscapes, working lands, urban open spaces and healthy communities are cared for by people who share a love of nature and a deep appreciation for the richness of their diverse cultures. Over the past 45 years our generous supporters, partners, and funders have conserved over 40,000 acres throughout Monterey County. Learn more at www.bigsurlandtrust.org.
