Arana Gulch's Changing Landscape

Arana Gulch's Changing Landscape. . Native People , Arana Gulch’s oak forest, coastal prairie, nearby lagoon, and coastline were a rich source for the Ohlone. These semi-nomadic natives lived in the region for thousands of years, moving with the seasons to harvest acorns, hunt waterfowl, deer, and tule elk and collect shellfish. They gathered plant material to weave baskets and construct shelters., Farming and Ranching , Cattle and grain crops became part of this landscape during Alta California’s rancho period. The Arana family came from Mexico City and settled in the area after 1834. They raised livestock and planted wheat, oats, and barley. In 1878, Fredrick Hagemann purchased the land and continued grazing cows on the coastal prairie., Dairy Land , In the 1920s, Arana Gulch was the site of the East Side Dairy under the Kinzli family’s ownership. Barns and other dairy buildings were located near this site. The dairy operated through the mid-1950s, and cattle continued to graze the property until the late 1980s., Our Open Space , Arana Gulch is now one of five City-owned Greenbelt lands that surround Santa Cruz. In 1994, the City opened this site to the public and is working to improve the reserve’s natural habitats for native plants and wildlife., Today you are part of Arana Gulch’s landscape. Enjoy this slice of California coastline as you learn about its unique features., What is one thing you can do to help protect places like Arana Gulch? , ¿Qué cosa puedes hacer para proteger un lugar como Arana Gulch?