Reprinted with permission from Sempervirens Fund interview of Verl Clausen by "The Mountain Echo," Spring 1999

Editor's Note: Verl Clausen was Sempervirens Fund's Executive Director for almost half of its modern existence. The Fund took over the Sempervirens Club's Charter in 1972 when Tony Look, Dorothy Varian, and Howard King revived the historic conservation organization. Tony served as Executive Director until his retirement in 1985 and Verl succeeded him. Looking back over the last 14 years in the following interview, Verl highlights the progress and changes through which he has guided the Fund, and he speculates on the challenges ahead.

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Thanks Verl - Happy Trails

Editor: Let's jump right to the bottom line. How are The Fund's finances in 1999 as compared to when you arrived?

Verl: Thanks to the contributions of our more than 15,000 active donors, and almost a decade of a booming economy, we are financially much stronger. When I arrived in 1985, the economy was not robust, there were fewer than 3,000 annual donors, and we owed almost $800,000 on previous land purchases. Today, we are paying our bills as we go, and we are maintaining reasonable reserves for land purchases, land management, and monthly operating expenses. This would not have been possible without the help of over 12,000 new donors.

Editor: How many land purchases were made during your tenure?

Verl: Since I arrived in 1985, Sempervirens Fund has made 34 land transactions protecting 3,300 acres of land valued at $14,000,000.

Editor: How has Sempervirens Fund changed over the years?

Verl: Let me say first that what hasn't changed is Sempervirens Fund's historic quest to provide redwood forests for public enjoyment and recreation. What has changed is a greater appreciation of the value of fish and wildlife habitat, the importance of preserving biodiversity, and the necessity of protecting entire watersheds. Each parcel we acquire must fit into an overall plan of preserving and restoring the integrity of streams, soils, trees, plants, fish and wildlife as vital components of public enjoyment and public responsibility.

Editor: Which watersheds are being protected?

Verl: We have preserved vital watersheds affecting the San Lorenzo River, Butano Creek, Gazos Creek, Waddell Creek, and our current purchase preserves land in the upper Pescadero Creek watershed. We have greatly advanced the ecological health of this entire area.

Editor: When did linking the parks become an objective?

Verl: Linking parks was important right from the start. In 1969, Sempervirens helped connect Castle Rock and Big Basin Redwoods State Park with the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail. Several years later, Hickory Oak Ridge was purchased to link Castle Rock State Park to Long Ridge Open Space Preserve. When we rewrote our mission statement in 1986, we officially expanded our focus of purchasing lands to complete Castle Rock and Big Basin state parks to include the goal of "linking parks and open spaces to provide an integrated parkland system."

Editor: In addition to linking Castle Rock and Big Basin, what other parks have been linked by The Fund?

Verl: We purchased land and recreational easements that linked Big Basin with Butano in 1992, Big Basin with Portola Redwoods State Park and Pescadero County Parks in 1994, Butano State Park with Ano Nuevo through the Gazos Creek in 1996, and Big Basin to Ano Nuevo in 1998.

Editor: What accounts for The Fund's success?

Verl: That's easy, our donors. Everything we have done is based on the generosity of people who share our commitment to preserving the natural character of the Santa Cruz Mountains. In 1985 we had fewer than 3,000 annual donors. Today, we have an active list of over 15,000 - a small city of people whose care is making a big difference. Bringing this support together has been guided by the Board and implemented by a talented and dedicated staff which translates our broad organizational goals into specific achievements, phone call by phone call, letter by letter, data entry by data entry, and meeting by meeting. It is with deep satisfaction that I commend the splendid staff I have had the privilege of working with all these years. They are motivated, dedicated, caring and professional.

Editor: What are your greatest satisfactions?

Verl: In addition to all the land we are saving, it is my great satisfaction to have sponsored the emergence of three groups of volunteers to complement our land stewardship efforts. The Wildlands Restoration Team, the Santa Cruz Mountains Bioregional Council, and the Gazos Creek Stream Monitoring Team enhance our land preservation work with thousands of hours of volunteer service.

Editor: Any regrets or disappointments?

Verl: Yes indeed. In 1989, we lacked the vision to see our vital role in protecting watershed beyond Big Basin Redwoods and Castle Rock State Parks. With over 2,200 acres on the market, we settled for the 809 acres within Big Basin's watershed and missed a golden opportunity to save another 1,400 acres of the upper Gazos at the same time. We failed to see the fullness of our opportunity and we lacked the courage to ask our donors to rise to new and broader challenges. This is the most disappointing memory I have of my years with Sempervirens Fund. It is a tribute to our donors that we are now able to rise to these challenges and take on bigger projects throughout a broad corridor of the Santa Cruz Mountains from the skyline to the sea.

Editor: Where has your greatest help come from?

Verl: No question about it! The California Department of Parks and Recreation has always been the our primary ally. When I arrived in 1985, the parks department was at a peak of effectiveness. Four state bonds had been passed, providing money for parkland acquisition; park staffing was stable and morale was high. Another bond issue passed in 1988 and our hopes were high that state funding would continue. When I arrived in 1985, the parks department was at a peak of effectiveness. Four state bonds had been passed, providing money for parkland acquisition; park staffing was stable and morale was high. Another bond issue passed in 1988 and our hopes were high that state funding would continue.

Editor: What has happened to state funding?

Verl: 1988 signaled the end of an era. Since then, the legislature has neglected public funding of parks, three bond issues failed at the polls, ranger positions have been cut to the bone, and maintenance was funded at 30% of the requested amounts causing a huge backlog of deferred maintenance. Planning and Land Acquisitions staff in Sacramento has been cut from more than one hundred positions to less than twenty.

Editor: How does the future look?

Verl: The new administration in Sacramento has begun restoring vital funding to the state parks. Governor Gray Davis appointed Rusty Areias Director of Parks and Recreation and there is optimism that park staffing will be replenished. A major bond issue is being promoted which will include money for land acquisition needed to complete parks to their intended boundaries.

Editor: You must have lots of wonderful memories?

Verl: Yes. One of my most whimsical and pleasant memories is of driving "Kermit" our rusty green (it's not easy being green) 1973 Chevy pickup down a dusty road on a sunny warm day checking out a new acquisition - and anticipating that glass of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale at Duartes before heading home on Highway I with the sun going down over the Pacific.

Editor: On a personal note, are there any redwoods near your new Oregon home?

Verl: About an hour's drive away. But, as my wife Ann and I head to our new home in Oregon, we know that a part of our heart remains with the Sempervirens community and the redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

For more about the Sempervirens Fund, see www.sempervirens.org