Protected Lands

The San Benito Agricultural Land Trust works to conserve the working farms, ranches, and open spaces that define the character of our county. Each protected property represents a partnership with landowners and the community to ensure that agricultural heritage, wildlife habitat, and scenic landscapes are preserved for generations to come.

Our protected lands reflect a balance between productive agriculture and natural resource conservation. By safeguarding these places, we help keep local food systems strong, maintain healthy ecosystems, and honor the rural traditions that make San Benito County unique.

Explore our projects below to see the lands we’ve been entrusted to protect and the stories they carry forward.

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Soap Lake
– 1,113 acres

This conservation easement was established in 2014 and encompasses 1,113 acres of grasslands, wooded areas, and wetlands.

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Brandenburg
– 68 acres

This 68-acre parcel was protected in 1997 and is currently being used to grow lettuce.

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Rancho Larios
– 521 acres

This 521-acre property consists of beautiful foothill grazing land southwest of the city of San Juan Bautista.

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Silva Ranch
– 153 acres

This 153-acre parcel near the city of San Juan Bautista was protected by a conservation easement in 2014.

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Wilkinson Ranch – 3,173 acres

This remote, oak-studded ranch located in south San Benito County near Panoche protects grasslands.

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Cook
– 1,694 acres

Some of San Benito’s best grazing land was protected by this 615-acre conservation easement located near Tres Pinos.

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Phil Foster Ranch – 51 acres

Phil and Katherine Foster's farm in San Juan Bautista is SBALT’s most recent conservation easement, located on prime soils in the San Juan Valley, adjacent to the San Benito River.

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Nyland
– 540 acres

The San Benito Agricultural Land Trust took title of the historic Harvey and Gladys Nyland Property in June 2023 with a conservation easement protecting agriculture and wildlife.

Protected Lands

Soap Lake – 1,113 acres

Brandenburg – 68 acres

Rancho Larios – 521 acres

Silva Ranch – 153 acres