Historic Agreement on Cattle Ranching and Wildlife Management at Point Reyes National Seashore Ends Decades of Conflict

Today, the National Park Service, Resource Renewal Institute, Center for Biological Diversity, Western Watersheds Project, the Point Reyes Seashore Ranching Association, and other Point Reyes National Seashore (PRNS) ranchers, reached a landmark agreement to settle a decades-long land-use conflict over the future of dairying, cattle ranching and wildlife management at Point Reyes National Seashore. The agreement allows some beef ranching to continue while prioritizing ecological protection, wildlife conservation and continued recreational access.  

The settlement is based on the voluntary decisions of 11 multi-generational family lessees to retire their 12 ranching operations on the National Seashore in exchange for compensation from The Nature Conservancy. In response to these decisions, the National Park Service determined it was appropriate to issue a Revised Record of Decision on its general management plan amendment which affects 28,000 acres of former and current ranch and dairy lands in Point Reyes and the north district of Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). Under the revised management plan, NPS will rezone approximately 16,000 acres of former agricultural lands into a Scenic Landscape zone, which prioritizes resource conservation activities. Under the revised plan, tule elk will be allowed to generally roam freely within the National Seashore and expand their numbers without a population cap.  

The settlement resolves a long-standing and complex conflict at Point Reyes that created an untenable situation. Multi-generational family ranchers regularly voiced concern about the constant challenges and uncertainty surrounding their leases, which impacted the viability of their family operations. Environmentalists pointed to the impacts of agricultural leasing on wildlife management and the protection of the park’s natural resources. Concerns over environmental degradation led the Resource Renewal Institute, Center for Biological Diversity, and Western Watersheds Project to file lawsuits against the National Park Service in 2016 and 2022. Numerous ranchers then intervened in the litigation to help the National Park Service defend the General Management Plan EIS and Record of Decision.  

During the summer of 2022, the parties to the litigation voluntarily agreed to enter into mediation to seek a mutually acceptable solution that acknowledges the legacy of agriculture in the Seashore and establishes a plan to support departing lessees, their ranch workers and their families, while ensuring the protection of the Seashore’s unique and irreplaceable natural and cultural resources in the long term.  

“The solution represents the hard work and dedication of all parties and is only possible by the ability to find common ground and mutually move forward in a positive direction,” said Mediator Bradley O’Brien, principal at O’Brien Conflict Resolution. “The negotiations were difficult and complex, but ultimately the parties recognized the settlement represents the best possible outcome of a long-standing controversy that was once deemed an insurmountable challenge. I’m proud of the collaborative spirit that led to this resolution, including the significant participation of individual ranchers and their families.”  

As part of this settlement: 

• 11 lessees who currently operate 12 organic dairies or cattle ranches within the Point Reyes National Seashore will receive compensation payments as part of their voluntary agreement to end their operations and transition off the Seashore.  
• Nine ranches will continue at PRNS and Golden Gate National Recreation Area: Seven historic ranches in the north district of GGNRA will receive new 20-year leases to support viable agricultural operations with continued protection of park natural and cultural resources, and the NPS will negotiate long-term leases for two ranching operations within the Point Reyes National Seashore. 
• The departing lessees will have approximately 15 months from the signing of the agreement to complete the wind-down of their operations on the Seashore and move off the land. 
• The Nature Conservancy will collaborate with the National Park Service through an agreement to mutually support and share resources to promote conservation activities on the vacated lease areas. Both entities are interested in using the best available science, traditional ecological knowledge through consultation with the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria and an array of management tools to pursue park natural and cultural resource objectives.      
• A tenant and employee transition support plan is well into development and financial resources have been secured to proactively support finding employment and housing alternatives for the employees and tenants of the departing ranchers residing at Point Reyes.   

Expert organizations in employment and housing transitions have been consulted and will play a key role in these efforts. Direct financial support to employees and tenants for transition is critical, with some funding already secured and additional public and private fundraising underway to ensure equitable and compassionate assistance. All those involved in the mediation and several partner organizations are actively pursuing financial, housing and employment resources in order to deliver comprehensive support to the impacted Seashore residents and workers. 

The Nature Conservancy joined the mediation at the request of all litigation parties seeing this as a once in a generation opportunity to enhance the conservation of the unique habitats and species found in California’s vanishing coastal landscapes. TNC is leading the effort to raise private funds necessary to cover the costs of the compensation payments for departing multi-generational ranches and dairies. Over half of the capital needed has been raised for this transition, but there is still additional support needed to complete this deal.  

“With each party to the mediation coming from a vastly different perspective on what’s best for the Seashore, the solution achieved was hard-fought, requiring all parties to come to the table with creativity to resolve this long-standing conflict. While this agreement marks an important milestone, our work is far from over,” said Michael Bell, Director of Protection at The Nature Conservancy in California. “We are deeply committed to seeing through a smooth transition and working with philanthropic and elected leaders in the community to secure the necessary funding to support this agreement. The agricultural tradition will continue on this protected land, both through the cattle ranches that will secure long-term leases and because targeted grazing will continue to be an important tool to achieve ecological management goals related to wildfire risk mitigation, weed abatement and wildlife habitat management on the Seashore.” 

“Given the important role that dairies and ranches have played in the local community, this has been a difficult journey, but we are relieved that an agreement has been reached,” said Tim Kehoe, a Seashore dairy farmer. “The mediation made the best out of a bad situation, and we’re grateful that we’ve reached a solution that puts this years-long conflict to rest.” 

“Our family, and our neighbors’ families, have loved and cared for this land for generations, and it has been a very difficult decision to leave,” said Kevin and Nancy Lunny, Seashore ranchers. “We worked hard to protect the natural resources of the Seashore while providing certified organic food for our family and our community, and we are proud of our legacy. Each of these ranching families has garnered intimate and irreplaceable knowledge of the lands they have been tending for over a century and have used this knowledge to inform their stewardship of this land. While this transition will be painful, we believe it’s ultimately what is best for our family, given the difficult circumstances.” 

“No one got everything they wanted, but we see this agreement as an important step forward for tule elk, and it offers a chance to restore rare coastal grasslands on Point Reyes,” said Erik Molvar, Executive Director of Western Watersheds Project. “This agreement represents a major shift in Park priorities, offering significant conservation opportunities. The new plan contains a number of conservation objectives, and we remain committed to making sure that these conservation commitments are fulfilled.” 

“This agreement marks a crucial milestone in safeguarding and revitalizing the Seashore’s extraordinary ecosystem, all while addressing the very real needs of the community,” said Deborah Moskowitz, President of the Resource Renewal Institute. “It balances compassion with conservation, providing essential support to affected ranch workers, tenants, and their families while ensuring that this priceless national treasure is preserved and cherished for generations to come. As a National Park, Point Reyes belongs to us all, and this agreement makes that foundational promise a reality.” 

“This settlement is a major win for tule elk and Point Reyes’ environment, wildlife and native plants,” said Jeff Miller, a senior conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity. “I’m proud of what this collective agreement has accomplished and I'm looking forward to the improved management approach it can usher in. This is a historic opportunity to expand elk herds, restore coastal prairie habitats, and protect endangered species.” 

“The Point Reyes National Seashore is one of our most treasured and beautiful landscapes and represents an intersection of values that haven’t always fit neatly within one national park. All of these values are important – agricultural heritage of multi-generational ranchers, cultural and natural resources and tourism,” said Congressman Jared Huffman. “I want to recognize how difficult this has been for everyone, and I’m proud of all involved for finding a way to come together and work through this challenge to secure the future of the Seashore.”  

"Today’s settlement agreement ensures vital resources for farmworkers and tenants with a transition period that provides time to deliver support to those living and working on the ranches. This is an opportunity for our community and local government to collaborate and support vulnerable community members. In addition, the County remains committed to supporting Marin County agriculture and its vital connection to our local economy and communities,” said Marin County Supervisor Dennis Rodoni. “I am deeply grateful to the community for standing with the workforce and tenants, enhancing access to services, and fostering a sense of belonging. Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive community."