Big Sur, CA…The California Coastal Commission staff has reached an agreement with Sean Parker which will result in Parker and the Commission collaborating on programs that promote coastal conservation, improved public access and recreational opportunities in the coastal zone, and protection of coastal redwood habitats in the Big Sur Region of Monterey County.
“Mr. Parker has been extremely cooperative and actively involved in working with Coastal Commission staff to reach this resolution which both addresses our Coastal Act concerns and will result in greater coastal access and conservation in the Big Sur and Monterey Peninsula areas,” said California Coastal Commission Executive Director Charles Lester.”
The agreement is consistent with Sean and Alexandra Parker’s long‐standing commitment to the conservation of the beautiful coastal environment in the Big Sur area, and features financial commitments of $2.5 million to a variety of important conservation and public access efforts, which may include the acquisition of public easements and hiking trails in the Big Sur area, and protection of sensitive habitat in Monterey County. A portion will go to a fund administered by the Coastal Conservancy, with other support in the form of grants to respected 501c3 non‐profit organizations undertaking one or more coastal area conservation projects in the Big Sur area. These projects can range from the acquisition of public coastal access easements or trails to facilitating public access to the coastal zone by residents of underserved communities.
“We always dreamed of getting married in Big Sur, one of the most magical places on earth,” Parker
said. “In continuing my foundation’s mission, we are excited to support these important conservationrelated
projects for and with the local community.”
Parker will also apply his technology and marketing expertise to help bolster the Commission’s ongoing
public education efforts. Parker will take the lead in either producing and distributing a public education
video developed in consultation with Commission staff, or creating a mobile app aimed at helping
Californians and visitors explore the coast by identifying access points in proximity to their location.
“Mr. Parker is providing his technology savvy and expertise to help the Coastal Commission convey its
public service message to a far larger audience than we do today,” said Lisa Haage, Chief of Enforcement
at the Coastal Commission. “We’re pleased to be working with him and Alexandra on this precedentsetting
package of programs.”
The agreement results from the Coastal Commission staff’s review of activities leading up to Mr.
Parker’s wedding at the Ventana Campground in Big Sur. In addition, the agreement puts in place
environmental protections to ensure the structures built for the wedding did not impact the redwood
trees and creeks at the Ventana Campground. The Coastal Commission is expected to consider the
agreement at its next scheduled meeting.
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