WATCHDOG for issues affecting character, culture, and natural beauty of the Big Sur Coast.
PRESERVE Big Sur’s natural beauty and the public’s access provided in the 1986 certified Big Sur Land Use Plan.
EDUCATE the community of the uniqueness and fragility of Big Sur .
ENHANCE current protections by assuring the preservation, in perpetuity, of its wilderness character and environmental integrity.
Keep Big Sur Wild is a small but passionate nonprofit devoted to protecting the Big Sur Land Use Plan—a 40-year framework that preserves the coast’s wild beauty and guarantees public access to Highway 1’s iconic views. We educate residents and government officials through letter-writing campaigns, newsletters, PSA videos, and cleanups along Highway 1. Today, Monterey County is rewriting the Land Use Plan under pressure from developers eager to turn rustic campsites into luxury glamping resorts. We are at a critical juncture: the new plan will be released later this year or early next, and we will launch a focused community education campaign to review and respond to it. We hope to hold a public meeting once the draft is issued. Our goal is to preserve 5,000 acres of wild land, protect 20 miles of rivers, and ensure outdoor access in Big Sur remains affordable and inclusive.
Our work defending the Big Sur Land Use Plan impacts all of Monterey County by ensuring that the Big Sur Coast remains an accessible, unspoiled natural area for everyone. This preservation helps maintain the region's rustic character and public access, benefiting both residents and visitors. By preventing commercial interests from degrading the land, we protect the natural beauty and public safety of the entire county. Additionally, our efforts to ensure equitable access to outdoor spaces support historically underrepresented communities, promoting inclusivity and equal opportunity for all Monterey County residents to enjoy the natural splendor of Big Sur.
As a longtime resident of the Big Sur coast, I have seen firsthand the increasing pressure on our fragile landscape from overcrowding, overdevelopment, and environmental degradation. Keep Big Sur Wild has been a vital voice in protecting what makes this place so special. Their commitment to upholding the Big Sur Land Use Plan is unwavering. Through public education—via newsletters, pamphlets, PSA videos, and community engagement—they ensure both officials and the public to understand the importance of conservation over commercialization. Their boots-on-the-ground efforts, like organizing highway cleanups and assisting in the removal of invasive plants, directly preserve Big Sur’s scenic beauty and ecological health. They also advocate for equitable access, working to keep outdoor experiences available to all, not just the wealthy. Their work is smart, strategic, and deeply rooted in love for this land. Supporting Keep Big Sur Wild is supporting the future of Big Sur itself. Corinne Colen Coastlands
- Corinne Colen, Big Sur
