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Audubon Canyon Ranch Adds to Mayacamas Sanctuary with Modini Bequest
The transfer was per the terms of Jim and Shirley Modini's trust; Shirley Modini passed away in July.
The year-long process to transfer ownership of the 1,750 Modini Ingalls Ecological Preserve in northern Sonoma and Lake Counties to Audubon Canyon Ranch (ACR) was completed this week.
In 2009, Jim and Shirley Modini bequeathed the land to ACR, and now the property has officially transferred per the terms of Jim & Shirley Modini's trust
In July 2012, environmental steward and lifelong rancher Shirley Modini passed away following a fall. She had recently been suffering from health challenges and was receiving hospice care. She was 89.
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The property is part of a protected area in the Central Mayacamas Mountains and plays an important role in regional conservation because of its connection to other natural areas.
The property features a rich blend of biologically diverse habitats, including oak woodlands, pine forests, grasslands, chaparral, riparian forests, natural springs, wild streams and serpentine outcrops that support several rare plants. The area is home to abundant and diverse wildlife, including deer, black bears, bobcats, mountain lions, coyotes and nesting golden eagles.
The focus of ACR’s work at the Modini Ingalls Ecological Preserve will be conservation science and habitat restoration to protect the native wildlife and plant species.
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In 2009, Jim and Shirley Modini bequeathed the land to ACR. The Modini property, combined with the Mayacamas Mountains Sanctuary (MMS), which ACR acquired in 2012, empowers ACR to permanently protect 3,370 acres of important natural habitat in the Mayacamas Mountains for native wildlife and plant species.
Although there is no public access to the Modini Ingalls Ecological Preserve, ACR’s adjacent 1,620-acre Mayacamas Mountains Sanctuary offers a variety of opportunities to explore and enjoy the natural habitat of the area.
ACR is an independent non-profit organization with 501(c)3 status and is not affiliated with the National Audubon Society. ACR’s preserves include the Cypress Grove Research Center on Tomales Bay, the 535-acre Bouverie Preserve in Sonoma’s Valley of the Moon near Glen Ellen, the 1,000-acre Martin Griffin Preserve on Bolinas Lagoon near Stinson Beach, and the 1,620-acre Mayacamas Mountains Sanctuary above Healdsburg.
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