Bell Point

Bell Point sits by the southern edge of the Village of Westport. It consists of approximately 50 acres of open coastal headlands, coastal meadows, riparian wetland, and a bishop pine forest. Across Highway 1, an additional 100 acres of mixed  redwood-fir forest, meadowland, and ocean view ridgelines will also be preserved. The headlands offer a jaw-dropping 180º degree view of our rocky and dramatic Mendocino coastline.

The project will include planning a new portion of the California Coastal Trail as well as return of the property to Kai Poma, a nonprofit representing three local Native American Tribes, who will also soon own nearby Blues Beach to the south. Mendocino Land Trust is honored to work with Kai Poma to facilitate the return of this land to three local Native American Tribes — Sherwood Valley Pomo Band of Indians, Round Valley Indian Tribes, and the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians — as a vital step towards restoration and reparation. Mendocino Land Trust will plan, construct and maintain new public access trails and related amenities on the property, and will transfer the ownership of the property to Kai Poma. Bell Point project lead, MLT Director of Land Protection Emily Griffen, observes: “We are so thrilled to have been able to purchase this property to ensure its conservation and protect this special part of the Mendocino Coast from private development forever. The property will be opened to the public for the first time, and returned to local Native American Tribes for long-term ownership and management.”