Brazil Ranch tours offered   Gene Blankenbaker, Deputy Forest Supervisor for the U. S. Forest Service stands by the log house on Brazil Ranch.   The U. S. Forest Service is updating its Land and Resource Management Plans for the Los Padres forests and has been holding local information meetings, workshops, and open houses in order to encourage public participation in this process. One of the most fascinating properties being studied at this time is the newly-acquired 1,200 acre “Brazil Ranch” in Big Sur, so-called because it was owned by the Brazil family for decades. In 1977 Alan Funt of “Candid Camera” fame bought it and built several buildings including a large horse barn and a log home decorated with Native American motifs. After his death, the family sold the property to land speculator Brian Sweeney who turned a $20 profit when he sold it to the public. At the time of the sale, the property was known as the “Bixby Ranch” as it is near the historic Bixby Bridge. In September 2002, the ranch officially passed to the U. S. Forest Service. One idea which is being explored and has gained some popularity with local residents is to create an artists-in-residence center with visiting artists who would use the spectacular Big Sur scenery for inspiration and creative expression. Integrated with this concept is a need to provide public access to satisfy the conditions of the purchase with public funds. While the property is now being managed with seed money from the Trust for Public Lands and the Los Padres Association, a long-term solution which will make the ranch self-sustaining, is being sought. Tours of Brazil Ranch are being offered to the public twice a month in February and March on a first-come, first-served basis. For tour information, email: , or check out the Los Padres website at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres/recreation/trails/mrd/brazil-hiking.shtml

[an error occurred while processing this directive]