President Barack Obama designated a stretch of coastline in northern Santa Cruz County as a national monument on Thursday. Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument will consist of 5,800 acres. Situated just north of Wilder Ranch State Park and south of Swanton Pacific Ranch, the property links together a vast landscape of coastal open spaces and upland forests including state and local parks, private nature preserves, working forests, agricultural lands, public beaches, and a National Marine Sanctuary. The land encompasses critical wildlife habitats, coastal prairies, redwood forests, riparian canyons, and six watersheds. It is also an important area for Native Americans. “This is a historic day for Cotoni and Amah Mutsun descendents. Our Cotoni ancestors lived on these land for thousands of years as they raised their families and stewarded the lands so they provided for all living things. The National Monument designation will protect and conserve the beauty and spirituality of this land for all future generation. We thank those who supported this effort,” said Amah Mutsun Tribal Band Chairman Valentin Lopez. Four registered ancestral Native American archaeological sites have been documented on the property. "This is the 'stuff' of a dream come true. After years of hard work by so many, this majestic property will be protected in perpetuity," Rep. Anna Eshoo said. "I salute our region's environmental leaders and conservationists, the dedicated work of thousands of local citizens, local elected officials, conservation advocates, and tribal leaders who have worked so hard to secure this designation. And I thank President Obama for his extraordinary leadership of environmental conservation. Today's proclamation ensures that this jewel will forever remain a part of California's coastal crown, allowing future generations to learn from its history and enjoy its beauty." Obama used his authority under the Antiquities Act to add Cotoni-Coast Dairies to the existing California Coastal National Monument.

President Barack Obama designated a stretch of coastline in northern Santa Cruz County as a national monument on Thursday.

Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument will consist of 5,800 acres.


Situated just north of Wilder Ranch State Park and south of Swanton Pacific Ranch, the property links together a vast landscape of coastal open spaces and upland forests including state and local parks, private nature preserves, working forests, agricultural lands, public beaches, and a National Marine Sanctuary.

The land encompasses critical wildlife habitats, coastal prairies, redwood forests, riparian canyons, and six watersheds.

It is also an important area for Native Americans.

“This is a historic day for Cotoni and Amah Mutsun descendents. Our Cotoni ancestors lived on these land for thousands of years as they raised their families and stewarded the lands so they provided for all living things. The National Monument designation will protect and conserve the beauty and spirituality of this land for all future generation. We thank those who supported this effort,” said Amah Mutsun Tribal Band Chairman Valentin Lopez.

Four registered ancestral Native American archaeological sites have been documented on the property.

"This is the 'stuff' of a dream come true. After years of hard work by so many, this majestic property will be protected in perpetuity," Rep. Anna Eshoo said. "I salute our region's environmental leaders and conservationists, the dedicated work of thousands of local citizens, local elected officials, conservation advocates, and tribal leaders who have worked so hard to secure this designation. And I thank President Obama for his extraordinary leadership of environmental conservation. Today's proclamation ensures that this jewel will forever remain a part of California's coastal crown, allowing future generations to learn from its history and enjoy its beauty."



Obama used his authority under the Antiquities Act to add Cotoni-Coast Dairies to the existing California Coastal National Monument.

