Finding aid to the Small Wilderness Area Preservation records BANC MSS 81/38 c
Lori Dedeyan
The Bancroft Library
2017
The Bancroft Library
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
bancref@library.berkeley.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
The Bancroft Library
Title: Small Wilderness Area Preservation records
Creator:
Small Wilderness Area Preservation
Source:
Polk, Emily
Identifier/Call Number: BANC MSS 81/38 c
Physical Description:
8 Linear Feet
(5 cartons, 2 document boxes, 3 card file boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1963-1980
Abstract: 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.
Language of Material: Collection materials are in English.
Physical Location: Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information
on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
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.
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the
Head of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley 94720-6000. See: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Small Wilderness Area Preservation records, BANC MSS 81/38 c, The Bancroft Library, University of
California, Berkeley.
Alternate Forms Available
There are no alternate forms for this collection.
Related Materials
The Bancroft Library holds several collections related to the conservation and environmental movements in California and the
United States. These include the records of Sierra Club, its chapters and members, the Trustees for Conservation, and environmentalists
such as David Ross Brower, Thomas J. Graff, and the correspondence of Ansel Adams. The Bancroft also holds the records of
the Friends of the River Foundation, Friends of the Earth, and the Save the Redwoods League.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Emily Polk on September 9-12, 1980.
Accruals
No additions are expected.
Arrangement
Arranged to the folder level.
Processing Information
Processed by Lori Dedeyan in 2017, with the generous support of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Biographical / Historical
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.
Its original advisory board included leaders of other conservation organizations, such as Ansel Adams, Edgar Wayburn (both
of the Sierra Club and Trustees for Conservation), and Margaret Owings. The state advisory board oversaw county committees
across nearly a dozen California counties in which the organization had projects. SWAP worked with individuals, planning
and development agencies, realtors, and local and state governments. One of its early successes was the establishment of
the Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve in 1972.
1. “The Small Wilderness Area Preserves Program.” Program document, 1970.
Scope and Contents
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.
The collection is arranged into four series:
Series 1 (Correspondence) contains professional and personal correspondence.
Series 2 (Administrative materials) includes financial records, bylaws, board meeting minutes, contributor and membership
lists, and other documents.
Series 3 (Program files) contains correspondence, proposals, publicity, financial, and other working documents related to
the various acquisition projects undertaken by S.W.A.P.
Series 4 (Publicity material and press) includes mailers and newsletters, promotional material, clippings, and material by
other conservation organizations.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Wilderness areas--California.
Environmental protection--California
Open spaces--California--San Francisco Bay Area
Open spaces--California.
Conservation of natural resources--California.
Parks -- California
Small Wilderness Area Preservation
Polk, Emily
Series 1.
Correspondence
1967-1980
Physical Location: Carton 1, folders 1-15
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by correspondent.
Scope and Contents
Includes business correspondence and the personal correspondence of Emily Polk.
Carton 1, Folder 1
General correspondence
1967-1973
carton 1, folder 2
General correspondence
1974-1976
carton 1, folder 3
General correspondence
1977-1979
carton 1, folder 4
General correspondence
undated
carton 1, Folders 5-6
Project proposals to S.W.A.P.
1971-1978
carton 1, folder 8
California State Parks
1970-1973
carton 1, folder 9
Los Angeles Times
1974-1977
carton 1, folder 10
National Geographic
1972, 1975
carton 1, folder 11
Owings, Margaret
1970-1980
carton 1, folder 12
Telegram- Tribune (letters to Editor)
1969
carton 1, folder 13
Letters of appreciation to Emily Polk (personal and professional)
1970-1980
carton 1, folder 14
Personal correspondence
circa 1976-1978
carton 1, folder 15
Christmas and New Year's cards
circa 1976-1977
Series 2.
Administrative material
1968-1979
Physical Description: Carton 1, folders 16-36; Box 1, folders 1-2; Boxes 3-5
Arrangement
Arranged by type of material, in a roughly chronological order.
Scope and Contents
Includes financial reports, invoices, tax forms, and other financial documents; board minutes and lists of trustees and advisers;
membership lists; and bylaws, articles of incorporation, and other documents and correspondence relating to incorporation.
carton 1, Folders 16-17
Early documents and draft proposals
circa 1970
carton 1, folder 18
Incorporation, bylaws, trust agreements
1970-1973
carton 1, folder 19
Amendments to bylaws- board approvals
1979
carton 1, folder 20
List of advisors
circa 1976
carton 1, folder 21
Board of directors' meeting minutes
1971-1975
carton 1, Folders 22-24
Finances and tax exempt status
1970-1976
carton 1, folder 25
Financial support from Sierra Club Foundation
1970-1971
carton 1, folder 26
Copies of material submitted to IRS
1970-1971
carton 1, folder 27
Tax returns and financial statements
1971-1974
carton 1, folder 28
Potential funders
1971-1972
carton 1, folder 29
Contributions and memorial contributions
circa 1973
carton 1, folder 31
Finances and invoices
1973-1976
carton 1, folder 32
Financial records and invoices
1975-1977
carton 1, folder 33
Bills and financial records
1977-1979
carton 1, folder 34
Insurance, liability
1972-1973
carton 1, folder 35
Labor Commissioner- workmen's compensation issue
1974-1975
carton 1, folder 36
Emily Polk- invoices and bank statements
1978-1979
box 1, folder 1
Potential contributors
1968-1972
box 1, folder 2
Court cases and legislative bills
1970-1971
Boxes 3-5
Membership records
circa 1970-1979
Series 3.
Program files
1964-1978
Physical Description: Cartons 2-4; Box 1, folder 3
Arrangement
Park projects are arranged alphabetically by location or title. County committee materials and other program materials
are listed afterwards.
Scope and Contents
Includes correspondence, proposals, permits, and other working documents for S.W.A.P. projects.
carton 2, folder 1
Alameda, CA- Clinton Avenue property
1976
carton 2, Folders 2-3
Ballona Lagoon (Venice, CA), Los Angeles Aquarium Park project- proposal drafts and photographs
1974-1976
carton 2, folder 4
Ballona Lagoon (Venice, CA), Los Angeles Aquarium Park project- correspondence
1974-1976
carton 2, folder 5
Ballona Lagoon (Venice, CA), Los Angeles Aquarium Park project- development permits, Coastal Conservation Commission hearings
1974-1976
carton 2, folder 6
Ballona Lagoon (Venice, CA)- Environmental Impact Report by City of Los Angeles
1974
carton 2, Folders 7-8
Ballona Lagoon (Venice, CA), Los Angeles Aquarium Park project- notes and supporting material
1974-1976
carton 4, folder 1
Ballona Lagoon (Venice, CA), Los Angeles Aquarium Park project- permits, proposals, and reports
circa 1974-1976
carton 4, folder 2
Ballona Lagoon (Venice, CA), Los Angeles Aquarium Park project- maps and plans
circa 1976
carton 4, folder 3
Bear Harbor Ranch (Humboldt)/ Stow Pond (Goleta)
1971-1972
carton 4, folder 4
Conejo Canyons (Thousand Oaks, CA)
1976
carton 2, folder 9
Coyote Hills (Fullerton, CA)
1974
carton 2, folder 10
Dinosaur Caves (Pismo Beach, CA)- correspondence
1972-1974
carton 2, folder 11
Dinosaur Caves (Pismo Beach, CA)- proposal drafts
circa 1972-1974
carton 2, folder 12
Dinosaur Caves (Pismo Beach, CA)- financial
1972-1975
carton 2, folder 13
Dinosaur Caves (Pismo Beach, CA)- notes and photographs
circa 1972-1974
carton 4, folder 5
Dinosaur Caves (Pismo Beach, CA)- maps and planning commission documents
1967-1974
carton 2, folder 14
Glendale, CA- land use element report
1976
carton 2, folder 15
Hedge Creek Falls (Dunsmuir, CA)
1972-1975
carton 2, folder 16
Hedge Creek Falls (Dunsmuir, CA)- Federal Highway Administration Environmental Statement
1973
carton 2, folder 17
Lombard Street (San Francisco, CA)
1972-1973
carton 2, folder 18
Los Liones Canyon Arboretum project (Pacific Palisades, CA)
1972-1973
carton 2, Folders 19-21
Los Osos Oaks State Reserve
1970-1975
carton 4, folder 6
Los Osos Oaks State Reserve
1970-1973
carton 2, Folders 22-23
Los Morros (San Luis Obispo, CA)
1971-1976
carton 2, folder 24
Morro Bay Estuary (Morro Bay, CA)- plans and property purchase options
1973-1974
carton 2, folder 25
Morro Bay Estuary (Morro Bay, CA)- correspondence with local and federal government
1972-1975
carton 3, folder 1
Morro Bay Estuary (Morro Bay, CA)- correspondence and mailers
1972-1975
carton 4, Folders 7-9
Morro Bay Estuary (Morro Bay, CA)- correspondence and purchase options
1970-1975
carton 4, folder 10
Morro Bay Estuary (Morro Bay, CA)- mailers, plans, and notes
1973-1974
carton 4, folder 11
Morro Coast highway construction issue
1971
carton 3, folder 2
National City (San Diego, CA)- Prelimiary General Plan for redevelopment
1974
carton 4, folder 12
National City (San Diego, CA)- Carrie Floyd Memorial Senior Park (by Charles F. Harbison)
1970-1974
carton 4, folder 13
Pirates' Cove (San Luis Obispo, CA)
1972
carton 3, folder 3
Pismo Beach, CA- landfill development project
1973-1974
carton 3, folder 4
Porterville Reserve (Porterville- Tulare, CA)- photographs
1975
carton 4, folder 14
San Luis Obispo county projects- correspondence
1972-1973
carton 3, folder 5
Sentinel Park, Park Circle City (San Luis Obispo, CA)
1971-1975
carton 4, folder 15
Shepherd Canyon (Oakland, CA)
1974-1975
carton 3, folder 6
South Laguna project, CA
1972-1975
carton 3, folder 7
Trinidad, CA- coastal park, Yurok tribal burial site
1975-1976
carton 3, folder 8
Verdugo- San Rafael Wilderness Area, CA- S.W.A.P. proposal
1976
carton 3, folder 9
Verdugo- San Rafael Wilderness Area, CA- correspondence
1976-1977
carton 4, folder 21
Verdugo- San Rafael Wilderness Park- city planning documents
1977-1978
carton 4, folder 22
Verdugo- San Rafael Wilderness Park- correspondence and planning
1976-1978
box 1, folder 3
Verdugo Mountains Scenic Parkway Design Report (prepared for the City of Glendale)
undated
carton 4, folder 16
Wilcox Woodlands (Santa Barbara, CA)
1974-1975
carton 3, folder 10
Wilderness Gardens (North San Diego County, CA)- notes
circa 1970-1972
carton 3, folder 11
Wilderness Gardens (North San Diego County, CA)- contributions and fundraising
1971-1973
carton 3, folder 12
Wilderness Gardens (North San Diego County, CA)- county, state, and federal action
1971-1973
carton 3, folder 13
Wilderness Gardens (North San Diego County, CA)- proposals and mailers
1971-1973
carton 3, folder 14
Wilderness Gardens (North San Diego County, CA)- correspondence
1971-1977
carton 4, folder 17
Wilderness Gardens (North San Diego County, CA)- proposals, option agreements, etc.
1971-1972
carton 4, folder 18
Wilderness Gardens (North San Diego County, CA)- mailers and publicity material
1971-1972
carton 4, folder 19
Wilderness Gardens (North San Diego County, CA)- tax forms and other financial documents
1971-1973
carton 4, folder 20
Wilderness Gardens (North San Diego County, CA)- Indian World correspondence and planning
1972
carton 3, folder 15
Citizens' Committees: Humboldt County
1964, 1972-1975
carton 3, folder 16
Citizens' Committees: Los Angeles County
1971-1972
carton 3, folder 17
Citizens' Committees: Marin County
1970-1972
carton 3, folder 18
Citizens' Committees: Monterey County
1971
carton 3, folder 19
Citizens' Committees: Riverside County
1971-1972
carton 3, folder 20
Citizens' Committees: San Diego County
1970-1972
carton 3, folder 21
Citizens' Committees: San Francisco Bay Area
1971-1973
carton 3, folder 22
Citizens' Committees: Santa Barbara County
1970-1974
carton 3, folder 23
Citizens' Committees: Santa Cruz County
1970
carton 3, folder 24
Citizens' Committees: Sonoma County
1970-1972
carton 3, folder 25
California Coastal Commissions
1972-1975
carton 3, folder 26
Open Space in urban areas: legislation, population relocation
1970-1975
carton 3, folder 27
California Office of Transportation Planning and Policy
1973
carton 3, folder 28
California coastline oil pipeline issue
1975
carton 3, folder 29
National Fisheries plan
1974
carton 3, folder 30
National Perspectives Council proposal
1975
carton 3, folder 31
Land and Nature Leage (proposed international extension of S.W.A.P.)- pamphlets
undated
carton 3, folder 32
Society of Women Geographers
1974-1979
carton 3, Folders 33-35
Miscellaneous notes and documents
circa 1970-1977
Series 4.
Publicity materials and press
1963-1979
Physical Description: Carton 5; Box 1, folders 4-10; Box 2
Arrangement
Arranged by type of material.
Scope and Contents
Includes pamphlets, mailers, and press materials; correspondence, financial, and promotional materials for an album of nature
songs put out by S.W.A.P. ('Wilderness America'); collected clippings about S.W.A.P. projects; and material by other conservation
organizations.
box 1, folder 4
Poems by Marjorie Hawksworth
undated
box 1, folder 5
Emily Polk: speeches and other writings
1963-1975
box 1, folder 6
Emily Polk: notes for writings
circa 1968-1974
box 1, folder 8
Mailers, brochures, and publicity
1970-1978
box 1, folder 9
Early mailer design and publicity
1970-1971
box 1, folder 10
S.W.A.P. Newsletters
1970-1979
Box 2, folder 1
Patty Zeitlin- 'Spin, Spider Spin' nature songs for S.W.A.P.
1974
Box 2, folder 2
Patty Zeitlin, 'Spin, Spider Spin'- correspondence and project material
1974
Box 2, folder 3
'Wilderness America' (S.W.A.P. music album)- promotion and publicity
1975-1977
Box 2, Folders 4-7
'Wilderness America' (S.W.A.P. album)- correspondence, financial, promotion
1975-1977
Carton 5, Folder 22
Promotional photograph of S.W.A.P.
undated
carton 5, folder 1
Articles and other research material
1968-1974
carton 5, folder 2
Sierra Club bulletins
1968-1969
carton 5, folder 3
San Francisco Bay Area- conservation organizations
1964-1969
carton 5, Folders 4-5
Conservation organizations- mailers and newsletters
1968-1978
carton 5, folder 6
Pamphlets- other organizations
1970s
carton 5, folder 7
Clippings: conservation and environmental issues
1967-1972
carton 5, folder 8
Clippings: Dinosaur Caves
1972-1974
carton 5, folder 9
Clippings: directors of S.W.A.P.
1964, 1970-1974
carton 5, folder 10
Clippings: Indian City/ Native American issues
1971-1972
carton 5, folder 11
Clippings: Los Morros
1973
carton 5, folder 12
Clippings: Morro Bay Estuary
1970-1973
carton 5, folder 13
Clippings: open space and nature
1973-1974
carton 5, Folders 14-15
Clippings: San Luis Obispo
1972-1975
carton 5, folder 16
Clippings: S.W.A.P. publicity and conservation issues
1971-1975
carton 5, folder 17
Clippings: Wilcox Woodlands
1974-1975
carton 5, folder 18
Clippings: Wilderness Gardens
1971-1973
carton 5, Folders 19-21
Clippings: various projects
1969-1979
