CASI presents the Rana Creek Preserve, the largest pristine land in Monterey County. Keynote speaker will be Kat Hardisty, the Preserve Manager. This amazing event will occur at the Rana Ranch Preserve in Carmel Valley on August 26 at 4:30 pm.

The spectacular 21 square mile open space Preserve is owned by the non profit Wildlands Conservancy has helped protect over 2.3 million acres in the western US and is the fastest growing nonprofit nature preserve system in the American West, growing 10 times faster than California State Parks in the last 25 years.

Hardisty not only has executive functions at Rana Creek, but oversees the biological investigations of wildlife and plant species in the Preserve, with her specialty background in wetland biology.

Kat has years of experience around the Monterey County as a biological consultant, studying Swainson’s hawks, western pond turtles, California tiger salamanders, and California red-legged frogs, among others, all of which are listed under state or federal law. Many listed species are present at Rana Creek Preserve, where Kat has implemented management strategies to protect them from human activities.

The Rana Ranch Preserve is not yet open to the public; it is situated on Carmel Valley Road, east of Carmel Valley Village. The event will give details of the ecology of Rana Creek Preserve, including the rugged terrain, native species, geology and endangered flora and fauna. Complimentary wine, non alcoholic drinks and appetizers will be served.