How Well Do You Know the Ranch?

By KITTY CONNOLLY

This year marks the 25^th anniversary of the purchase of Fiscalini Ranch Preserve as a public open space. Let’s test your Ranch knowledge. True or false:

1. The Fiscalini family donated the Ranch to the people of Cambria.

2. San Luis Obispo County owns the community park portion of the East Ranch.

3. Most of the vegetation on the preserve is non-native.

4. Friends of the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve manages the preserve.

5. Friends of the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve receives public funds.

6. Local artists designed the Ranch benches.

7. The Ranch was saved so dogs could run off-leash.

8. Electric bikes are allowed on the Ranch.

9. East and West Ranch are both part of the preserve.

10. The Ranch is managed for fire safety and forest health.

11. Friends of the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve has the best volunteers.

How well did you do?

1. FALSE – When Lucy Fiscalini died, her heirs were unable to keep the land, so they sold it to developers. Eventually, the people of Cambria, through North Coast Small Wilderness Area Preservation and the American Land Conservancy, purchased the property for public access and restoration.
2. FALSE – Cambria Community Services District holds the title to the entire property. SLO County gave funds toward planning for a park and CCSD discharged that obligation years ago when they developed a park plan.
3. TRUE – As a result of 100 years of ranching, most of the site is covered in non-native grasses. Friends of the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve volunteers work hard every week to keep invasive species in check so native plants can thrive.
4. FALSE – Cambria Community Services District has sole responsibility for managing and maintaining the preserve. The Friends of the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve holds the conservation easement and provides volunteer labor and financial support for projects as funds allow.
5. FALSE – Although Friends of the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve did receive public support during the COVID crisis, it gets no regular income from any government agency. FFRP relies on private donors.
6. MOSTLY TRUE – Cambria artists designed and built several benches, but the majority are the vision of Friends of the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve volunteers, who are artists in their own right.
7. FALSE – The Ranch was saved to preserve its scenic beauty and natural resources for public access. Although dogs do seem to have a wonderful time on the Ranch, the law requires that all dogs, without exception, always be on leash.
8. TRUE – By California law, pedal-assisted electric bikes can be ridden on Ranch trails where regular bikes are allowed. Like all visitors, though, electric bike riders should take care when approaching pedestrians and keep speeds down.
9. TRUE – The preserve encompasses more than 430 acres on both sides of Highway 1.
10. TRUE – Under grants from the Fire Safe Council of San Luis Obispo County, Cambria Community Services District works with Friends of the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve to craft responsible and ecologically-informed approaches to forest management.
11. ABSOLUTELY TRUE! – Volunteers groom trails, restore native vegetation, offer outreach and educational programs, and put on public events, like marching in the Pinedorado Parade. In 2024 alone, FFRP volunteers donated enough hours to equal almost 2.5 full time employees!

Score:

0-4 Maybe you could spend more time enjoying the Ranch.

5-8 You know your town but need to keep reading the cambriaca to stay on top of the news.

9-11 You are a Ranch expert!