Dana Ridge Nature Preserve
Sustainability
Energy & Recycling – California and San Luis Obispo County have some of the most advanced efficiency standards in the nation. Dana Reserve is designed to comply with these standards including increased energy efficiency in buildings, water and resource conservation, reduction of waste generated by construction projects, and long-term building operation and maintenance costs. Compliance also includes designing homes with improved indoor air quality for future residents and occupant health. To meet the state and local commitments, the Dana Reserve project is designed with many features to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Oak Trees – Conservation & Preservation – A majority of the centrally-located oak woodland is to be maintained as part of the Dana Reserve Specific Plan. Where development is to occur adjacent to coast live oaks, county oak tree protection measures will be implemented. A combination of both on-site and off-site mitigation will be used to offset the live oak trees. Dana Reserve has purchased property that was part of the original Dana Rancho Nipomo for the off-site mitigation featuring a natural habitat and oak preserve deemed similar in character and quality of the coast live oaks to be removed within the Dana Reserve. This 388-acre natural habitat and oak preserve will be permanently maintained through a conservation easement with management and oversight by a local non-profit conservation group.
Water Resources & Conservation – For the first time ever, more water will be returned into the Nipomo groundwater basin than extracted by the Nipomo Community Services District (NCSD) because of the return flows from the Dana Reserve. The additional water connections at the Dana Reserve will not use groundwater from the Nipomo basin—now or in the future. Dana Reserve empowers the NCSD to further reduce groundwater pumping by purchasing previously contracted imported water, which saves current ratepayers money.
The Dana Reserve recognizes water as a precious resource that needs to be used wisely and efficiently. The plan incorporates the most current standards for use of drought-tolerant native vegetation wherever practicable, using state-of-the-art irrigation systems and best practices for the establishment of plantings and long term maintenance.
Transportation, Transit & Trails – The Dana Reserve is making approximately $40MM of regional and on-site improvements to help relieve congestion on Tefft Street and Ten Oaks corridors which includes the extension of North Frontage Road to Willow Road and the North-South connection from Pomeroy Road to Willow Road. Other improvements include a transit stop in Village Center and at the Park & Ride lot on Willow Road. A network of trail systems includes pedestrian, bike, and equestrian connections weaving throughout on-site neighborhoods and parks. To learn more about specific improvements, please visit our Circulation page.