Chapter 13: The Empty Interior

The Mountains


The Empty Interior and Big Sur are slightly similar in that they are known for their "stark contrasts of aridity and lushness, which intermingle with wide desert valleys and rugged high mountains." (Regional Landscapes of the U.S. and Canada pg 252) The steep mountains of Big Sur are incredibly gorgeous yet very difficult to hike due to the varied terrain. Climatic conditions, both historical and current have contributed to the rugged yet nature of Big Sur. Arid, desert like canyons, jagged mountain peaks, and small canyons are part of Big Sur's mountain range. 



Source: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.high-desert-memories.com/Mt_Whitney_and_Alabama_hills_653x456.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.svtperformance.com/forums/road-side-pub-17/607382-texas-vs-california-3.html&usg=__EjV50AC6t4NI5uJEkBB_5nKoJFc=&h=456&w=653&sz=85&hl=en&start=37&zoom=1&tbnid=chATxwLr7gmMNM:&tbnh=166&tbnw=221&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsnow%2Bon%2Bmountians%2Bnear%2Bbig%2Bsur%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D677%26tbs%3Disch:10,1873&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=523&vpy=298&dur=493&hovh=179&hovw=256&tx=110&ty=79&ei=zdr-TLvqMYT4sAPttO2vCw&oei=kNr-TIurAZK6sQPsyMSrCw&esq=2&page=4&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:10,s:37&biw=1024&bih=677 

Big Sur's Rugged Coastline

The Big Sur coastline is so rugged that you will wonder how anyone could have built a highway along it. The highway snakes along the coastline, twisting and turning, endlessly going up and down. This tortuous highway is an incredible feat of engineering. In just a few miles you can ascend to 1,000 feet above sea level and then plunge downward. At times you will feel that whoever built this highway must have also invented the roller coaster! As you turn every corner you will see before you a vast stretch of mountains falling sharply into the Pacific Ocean. The raw, savage beauty of the waves crashing onto the beaches and against the huge cliffs will leave you breathless.

Everywhere you drive, especially in spring and summer, you are bombarded by a multitude of colors: dark green from the pine forests; hillsides have turned red from the California poppies or yellow, white, and blue from the abundant wildflowers; light blue skies are above you and a seemingly endless sapphire-colored ocean is beside you; and interspersed along the entire coastline are emerald-green tidal pools. This profusion of colors makes an already scenic drive, even more spectacular!

Source: http://www.globetales.com/big-sur-californias-spectacular-and-rugged-coastline

The Human Imprint

Similar to the mountains and plateau's of the empty interior Big Sur's landscape must be preserved. Unfortunately, many people hike in areas without trails, step on plants, flowers, and other vegetation that does not grow back right away. In addition to protecting the land, forests, and mountains of Big Sur's coast, the ocean must be protected as well. Disease's have killed trees in Big Sur due to invasive foreign species brought in by humans, various plants, and bugs.

Source: http://www.plantsmart.org/whatsbeingsaid.php

Supporting organizations

The following organizations support Big Sur in various ways:

• Big Sur Chamber of Commerce: This organization promotes tourism in the Big Sur region and supports Big Sur regional businesses and services.
• Ventana Wildlife Society: This nonprofit organization's mission is to conserve native wildlife and its habitats. (This organization was formerly known as Ventana Wilderness Society.)
• Ventana Wilderness Alliance: This nonprofit organization's mission is to protect, preserve, enhance and restore the wilderness qualities and biodiversity of the public lands within California's northern Santa Lucia Mountains and Big Sur coast.
• The Big Sur Land Trust: This nonprofit organization's mission is to conserve the significant lands and waters of California's Central Coast for all generations.
• Big Sur Natural History Association: This non-profit organization provides interpretive and educational materials and activities for visitors to the Big Sur area State Parks and the Los Padres National Forest. The association sponsors nature walks, campfire talks, and interpretive displays. For information, write to BSNHA, PO Box 189, Big Sur CA 93920-0189
• Monterey Bay Sanctuary Foundation: This non-profit organization seeks to advance the understanding and protection of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This sanctuary, which extends along the entire Big Sur coastline, was designated in 1992 to protect unique marine resources along the Central California coast.
• Source: http://jrabold.net/bigsur/misc.htm

California’s First Network of Marine Protected Areas Established with LightHawk Support Driving down the coast of California is an all-American road trip. Flying the coast is an eye-opening, profound experience, bringing to light blue whales breaching, kelp forests that sway in the ocean swells, and the majestic beauty of the cliffs that slide well below the ocean surface. Until recently, California’s stunning coast and marine ecosystems were largely unprotected and in decline. The diving community was witnessing a decline in marine life, the fishing industry experienced a reduced catch of 50 percent from historic levels in just the last two decades, and beach closures were becoming commonplace. After many years of effort, in April 2007, the California Fish and Game Commission (CDFG) established a network of 29 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), covering approximately 204 square miles of state waters along the Central Coast, which ranges from Pigeon Point in San Mateo County south to Point Conception in Santa Barbara County. To help achieve this landmark success, LightHawk began collaborating in early 2006 with The Ocean Conservancy, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and The Otter Project to build public support for the MPAs. MPAs are designed to protect and restore fish and wildlife and their natural habitats from threats that range from coastal development to unsustainable fishing practices while enhancing outdoor recreation and ocean research opportunities. Early attempts to establish MPAs failed largely because there was limited input and buy-in from local stakeholders. Flights conducted by our volunteer pilots helped to further public understanding of the need for MPAs, which will protect deep undersea canyons, rich kelp forests, rocky reefs, and other underwater habitats vital to healthy marine habitats and abundant fish and wildlife populations. Big Sur's new reserve protects one of the largest and most productive kelp beds in the state, like this one found along the Central Coast. Ed Steinman/LightHawk

Point Lobos marine reserve, one of the state's oldest protected areas and best success stories, is now expanded and buffered with a conservation area. Erin Kunkel/LightHawk In addition to guided educational tours, LightHawk conducted flights throughout the last year to help gather aerial photos of proposed MPA sites. These photos enabled our partners to create visually stunning educational materials they used to encourage public support and convey the necessity and appropriateness of establishing MPAs along the Central Coast. LightHawk will continue to work with our conservation partners on this important issue. Our volunteer pilots already are flying missions for the next phase of protection, the North Central coast.

Source:http://www.lighthawk.org/WayPoint/WayPoint%208.htm