Strategic Planning & Land Acquisition

 The Silvergate Preserve is located in Shasta County (Wintu territory) and consists of a 9 acres of on-site compensatory wetlands preserved to offset the impacts of the Silvergate Development. The Preserve mitigates for impacts to a California Native Plant Society list 1A plant, fox sedge (Carex vulpinoidea). The easement was recorded in January 2008. The wetlands are currently meeting success criteria as defined in the Mitigation and Monitoring Plan that was prepared by Northstate Resources. The mitigated fox sedge plant community is exhibiting signs of natural reproduction. 

 The 42.5-acre Meriam Park Preserve in Butte County (Mechoopda territory) is located in the south east of the City of Chico and consists of two parcels off Humboldt Rd. Habitats within the preserve include California annual grassland, northern hardpan vernal pools and swales. The preserve contains 10 acres of habitat for Butte County Meadowfoam (Limnanthes floccosa spp. californica). Nearly the entire northern parcel of the preserve has been designated as Vernal Pool Critical Habitat for Butte County Meadowfoam and Tadpole and Fairy Shrimp as surveyed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. It is assumed that the preserve provides also habitat for vernal pool tadpole shrimp (Lepidurus packardi), vernal pool fairy shrimp (Branchinecta lynchi), and California fairy shrimp (Linderiella occidentalis).  

 The 3-acre Neal Road Preserve is located south of the City of Chico (Mechoopda Territory).  This preserve contains both created and natural wetland features and native vegetation buffer zones and serves as mitigation for the Butte County. The Preserve includes a Mitigation and Monitoring Plan for the creation of 3 acres of wetland on site, and the establishment of 25-foot buffer zones of native vegetation around the wetland.  The created wetland will provide increased containment and infiltration. Owing to its design and capacity, it will intercept surface run-off, filter sediments, and remove or retain inorganic compounds to improve surface water quality. During winter and a portion of the growing season, the emergent marsh wetland will pond water which provides habitat for resident and migrating wildlife. 

 The Sky Creek Open Space Preserve is located in the City of Chico (Mechoopda territory) by the Municipal Airport. The preserve, acquired by California Open Lands in December 2006, is approximately 1.5 acres and contains .25 acres of jurisdictional wetland features and a small, created wetland. The created and enhanced wetland intercepts surface water run-off, filters sediments and removes or retains inorganic compounds to improve water quality. During winter and a portion of the growing season, the seasonal wetland ponds water which provides habitat to resident and migrating wildlife. The site exists as an intercept for precipitation and an overflow for Mud Creek. The Sky Creek Preserve is a part of a larger conservation strategy for the Sky Creek Business Park, which includes trails, 0.60 acres of wetlands and 4 acres of protected riparian habitat along Mud Creek managed by the City of Chico. 

 This Preserve in Shasta County (Wintu Territory) consists of 5 acres of conserved habitats of ephemeral drainages and seasonal wetlands within Blue Oak woodland and Chaparral vegetation in Shasta County in the foothills west of the city of Anderson. The surrounding land is also open space and the preserve provides corridors for migration of wildlife and protection of water quality. 

 The Enclave at Granite Bay Preserve in Placer County (Miwok/Maidu/Nisenan Territory) is 5 acres and consists of Mixed Oak woodland with 2 acres of Emergent Marsh dominated by bulrushes and willows. It is contiguous with an existing open space preserve and provides habitat for a great many bird species. It was created to fulfil the regulatory requirements of the Enclave development and provide the citizens of Granite Bay with the benefits of open space and water quality protection.

 Located in Placer County (Miwok/Maidu/Nisenan territory), this preserve serves as a linkage between other open space easements in the lower Sacramento River watershed. It was required as part of the regulatory process involving the Army Corps of Engineers and is 2 acres in size. This protects seasonal wetland in a ravine which connects downstream to the salmon habitat of Strap Ravine. 

Located in Shasta County (Wintu Territory), this 2.6 acre preserve in the Clover Acres subdivision conserves seasonal wetland and riparian habitat, including vernal pools containing populations of endangered Vernal Pool fairy shrimp and tadpole shrimp species. The upland habitat consists of blue oak woodland, including some heritage oaks, and annual grassland species.

 This Preserve is located in the City of Chico (Mechoopda Territory) and consists of 3.09 acres surrounding a large vernal pool containing endangered populations of vernal pool fairy shrimp. The upland meadow habitat is being restored and will contain over 40 species of native wildflowers and ground cover species, including waji (Indian potatoes / Brodaiea spp.) that are a cultural resource for the local Indigenous community. 

 The Bickford Ranch preserve is located in Placer County (Miwok/Maidu/Nisenan Territory) and contains oak savannas, meadows and aquatic features including intermittent drainages, riverine wetlands, and seasonal wetlands. The 47.7 acre conservation easement within the Preserve includes impressive heritage live oaks and richly biodiverse riparian areas with rare turtle and amphibian habitats, as well as tule, sedge, willows, native blackberries and many culturally significant native species.

 This 41.6 acre preserve in Napa County (Pomo Territory) was created by a voluntary Conservation Easement Deed and serves to protect the natural areas of native oak woodland and annual grassland in addition to the historical vineyard that has been in operation since the 1920s.The vineyard is currently growing a wide variety of wine cultivars including zinfandel, petit syrah, pinot grigio, merlot, sauvignon blanc, semillon, cabernet and sauvignon vert .

  This 1,243 acre Conservation Easement Area in San Benito County (Amah Mutsun / Ohlone Territory) is pending final recording through the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife. It consists of mixed oak and riparian woodlands and supports high quality upland and breeding habitat for long-term conservation of the state and federally listed California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense), the California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii), and the San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpesmacrotis mutica). This preserve also contains several Indigenous archaeological and cultural sites.