Las Californias

You can help protect one of the world's most beautiful and diverse habitats when you Adopt an Acre® today.

Miles of mountainous coastline, beautiful sandy beaches and ancient redwood forests — few places in the world contain such stunning landscapes and seascapes. Boasting sunny, dry summers and mild, wet winters, Las Californias shares its unique and desirable climate with the Mediterranean Basin, and is one of only five Mediterranean habitat zones on Earth.

Taking up a mere 2.2 percent of the Earth's land area, these five Mediterranean habitats harbor 20 percent of the world's plants species — thousands of which are found nowhere else on Earth. Within Las Californias alone, chaparral, grasslands, oak woodlands and coastal forests support 1,500 plant species found only here.

Unprecedented Growth

The region's stunning natural beauty and highly sought-after climate draw people from the world over. Experts predict that by 2020, California's population will have soared to 43 million. This rapid growth threatens the region's remaining natural areas, farms and ranchlands. Approximately 40,000 acres of working farms and ranchlands are lost to development and urbanization every year. In Northern Baja California, coastal wetlands and other delicate habitats face similar threats from an increase in both population and tourism.

How The Nature Conservancy Works in Las Californias

With a strong network of partners — including landowners, ranchers, wine industry leaders and developers — The Nature Conservancy is working to conserve Las Californias. We are doing this in a variety of ways, such as:

• Creating 600,000 acres of new protected areas
• Establishing a network wildlife corridors
• Working with the wine industry to develop innovative and sustainable vineyard designs

How Can You Help Save Las Californias?

When you give today to the Adopt an Acre® program, you will help the Conservancy protect and restore one of the world's most extraordinary yet highly threatened regions. You can also call 1-800-84-ADOPT to donate.

With your $50 donation per acre to the Adopt an Acre® program, you will receive:

• Personalized certificate with signature photo of Las Californias commemorating your generosity
• Colorful fact sheet about Las Californias
• Adopt an Acre® U.S. magnet set
• Four issues of Nature Conservancy magazine to keep you informed all year about the many places the Conservancy is working to protect. (Plus, we'll rush the current magazine issue along with your personalized certificate!)
• An invitation to create a personalized nature homepage on nature.org
• Great Places E-Newsletter subscription filled with local and global conservation updates, enviro-tips you can use and stunning nature photography.

Best of all, you'll get the satisfaction of knowing you're helping to protect this extraordinary wild habitat now and for future generations. Please Adopt an Acre today!

Give Adopt an Acre as a Gift

You can also give Adopt an Acre® as a gift. Your friend or loved one will adore this one-of-a-kind nature gift and enjoy it throughout the year. View all the benefits your gift recipient will receive.

Adopt an Acre in Las Californias in the United States and your gift will help preserve miles of mountainous coastline, beautiful sandy beaches and ancient redwood forests.