Description
This collection contains the organizational records of
Small Wilderness Area Preservation, a conservation organization founded by Los Osos resident Emily Polk for the purpose of buying up small parcels
of land for preservation as nature parks and reserves. It is includes correspondence, financial records and tax documents,
incorporation documents, meeting minutes and membership rosters, newsletters and publicity materials, press and clippings,
and program files. The program files include correspondence, proposals, permits, and other working documents related to the
various projects undertaken by S.W.A.P. for purchasing and setting aside parkland in California.
Background
Small
Wilderness
Area Preservation (SWAP) was a conservation organization founded in 1971 by Emily Polk, a resident of Los Osos, CA, to purchase
and set aside small parcels of land as parks, reserves, and open spaces. SWAP was incorporated in 1971 and solicited tax-
deductible contributions from individuals in order to purchase land that would be “either saved from being destroyed, or returned
from misuse to a natural wild state.” (1) It worked with and was supported by the Nature Conservancy and the Sierra Club,
to which it deeded parcels. It approached landowners in order to persuade them to sell or donate their properties, which it
could then lease, sell, or grant to landholding agencies or other foundations or corporations.
Extent
8 Linear Feet
(5 cartons, 2 document boxes, 3 card file boxes)
Restrictions
Materials in this collection may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction
of some materials may be restricted by terms of University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions,
privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond
that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for
any use rests exclusively with the user.
Availability
Collection is open for research.