December 11, 2018
Dear Members of our Campus Community,
I am writing to share with you the news that we received formal approval from the UC Regents for the acquisition of Las Varas Ranch, a 1,800-acre agricultural property located six miles west of our campus. The ranch stretches between the Pacific Ocean and Los Padres National Forest.
This land has been gifted to our campus through the tremendous generosity and unique vision of philanthropist Charles T. Munger, who is interested in the long-term benefit of our campus. We are immensely fortunate to have been entrusted with this “coastal jewel,” which includes two miles of coastline. With more than 500 acres of pastureland, an 18-acre lake, and fruit orchards, the land offers rich agricultural resources and exceptional educational opportunities. For a long time, UC Santa Barbara will maintain the property in its current state as a working ranch.
Previously, in 2014, Mr. Munger designed and funded the Charles T. MungerPhysics Residence, a premier living and collaborative environment for our Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics.
In the years ahead, I will consult with our campus community and local community on the future vision of this working ranch.
I am grateful to the Regents and our colleagues at the Office of the President for their advice and support. And, of course, we are most grateful to Charlie Munger for blessing our campus with a gift that will benefit our University for generations to come. This is much more than just a gift of land, but rather a living legacy, a vision for the long-range future of our campus.
Sincerely,
Henry T. Yang
Chancellor