California is renowned for its breathtaking and varied landscape. From coastlines and fertile valleys to arid deserts and imposing mountains, California features a rich and diverse ecology. In some areas of the state, multiple ecosystems collide, creating unparalleled biodiversity. One such area near Point Conception, the Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve (named after the cofounders of Esri), has become a protected “living laboratory.” The preserve, which was established in 2017, is managed by The Nature Conservancy.
This map from Megan Webb of The Nature Conservancy highlights the unique geography of the preserve. Designed with antique flourishes, it evokes hand-drawn maps from the 19th century.
The beige background and sepia-colored photos around the map set the tone. Hachures, contour lines, and canyon names emphasize the terrain of this swath of the Santa Ynez Mountains. While roads and rail lines are present, they are not the focus. Blue dots mark hot springs, and the general hues of the map reflect the landscape as seen from above. Zooming in reveals clusters of forested areas and other points of interest, like abandoned army barracks. Inset maps showcase the small footprint of buildings on the preserve that support management and enable research. When viewed in total, the map’s message is clear: The natural environment is what matters here.
More than 200 wildlife species and nearly 600 plant species can be found on the preserve. It’s the only place in California where biomes from the north and the south meet, both on land and in the water. The map’s vintage aesthetic hearkens to an era when wild places were plentiful. That same untamed nature has made the preserve an ideal place for science and research.
