8 Big Sur organizations to get $1.4M from tech billionaire

California Coastal Commission says eight education and conservation projects in the Big Sur area will get $1.4 million from a settlement with former Facebook president Sean Parker.

The commission and Parker reached a $2.5 million settlement after the Napster co-founder built a large movie-set-like site for his wedding last year in an ecologically sensitive area of Big Sur without proper permits.

The Monterey Herald reports Wednesday that grants ranging from $75,000 to $345,000 will support conservation and education projects, including bringing marginalized families on field trips to Big Sur. The money will also help enhance public access to the area.

The rest of the settlement money went toward paying for fines against the Big Sur resort where the $10 million, Lord of the Rings-inspired wedding was hosted.