Survey Finds Support for Land Preservation

About 60% of residents on the Palos Verdes Peninsula are prepared to pay an extra $25 to $100 a year to help preserve more open space there, according to a recent survey.

Because it has strong local support for preservation, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, which organized the survey, is considering putting a measure on the November ballot to raise funds to buy open land. The conservancy has preserved two peninsula parcels since it formed in 1988.

“We are highly encouraged by the results,” conservancy President Bill Ailor said.

“It’s clear that residents of all four cities look at preservation of natural areas as important to maintaining their quality of life, and even in these hard economic times are willing to pay to make it happen,” he said.

The survey by J. Moore Methods of Sacramento questioned 600 peninsula residents. Three peninsula cities, local organizations and several land owners helped pay $28,000 for the survey, Ailor said.

Survey results show an initial 49% of respondents supported a property tax measure, but the figure jumped to 60% after arguments for and against land preservation were explained.

Of four specific properties the conservancy is considering buying, an 838-acre parcel in the Portuguese Bend area is the highest priority in the community.

“It’s heavily used for hiking and equestrian riding. It’s a wildlife habitat. It’s the largest piece of open space in southwest Los Angeles,” Ailor said. “It’s just a beautiful place.”

The other three properties are 14 1/2 acres at Hawthorne Boulevard and Windport Drive, a 6 1/2-acre open field along Palos Verdes Drive North, and 163 acres at the end of Forrestal Drive.