LandWatch’s mission is to create a blueprint for sustainability, using Monterey County as a model.

We work to enhance Monterey County’s future by addressing climate change, affordable housing, reliable water supplies, and related land and water use policies.

LandWatch is committed to climate action in Monterey County. We are actively seeking ways to mitigate climate impacts and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Learn more on our ClimateWatch page.

LandWatch is at the forefront of ensuring affordable housing options are available to local families because this also reduces climate and transportation impacts.

Learn more on our HousingWatch page.

LandWatch engages throughout Monterey County and for more than a dozen local cities to ensure climate, water, housing, public safety, and social equity issues are addressed.

Learn more on our CommunityWatch page.

LandWatch’s Recent Actions

Comments on Monterey’s Element Updates
LandWatch urges Monterey to keep Fort Ord lands as permanent open space in its Conservation and Open Space Elements, citing safety, climate, and wildlife concerns, and noting the City can meet housing needs through downtown infill that better advances equity and sustainability goals. (05.08.26)

Comments on the General Plan Update
LandWatch urges Salinas to require higher residential densities, delay or tightly phase the East Area Specific Plan to protect prime farmland, avoid premature SOI expansions, and align the 2040 General Plan with compact growth, affordable “missing middle” housing, and existing agreements like the Greater Salinas Area MOU. (04.28.26)

Comments on Surface Water Resources
LandWatch urges the Salinas Valley Basin GSA to revisit feasibility studies that treat surface water supplies as fixed, limiting canal and ASR options, favoring an overly costly brackish groundwater project, and missing chances to reoperate reservoirs and rebalance subbasin benefits and costs. (05.09.26)