Coloma, CA – January 9, 2024
In a monumental conservation effort, the American River Conservancy (ARC) has successfully secured 1,025 acres of vital riparian and oak woodland habitat along the Cosumnes River in El Dorado County, California. This triumph marks a significant step towards permanently preserving El Dorado Ranch and establishing the first Wildlife Area in the county.
The conservation initiative, initiated by ARC in 2012, saved the El Dorado Ranch from a fate of extensive residential development. This strategic move not only protects a substantial area of crucial wildlife habitat but also connects existing public lands and neighboring ranches, fostering essential wildlife corridors along the mainstem Cosumnes River.
To date, ARC has managed to acquire and safeguard a substantial 4,182 acres of the expansive 7,179-acre El Dorado Ranch, demonstrating their commitment to environmental preservation.
Elena DeLacy, Director of the American River Conservancy, emphasized the significance of El Dorado Ranch within the larger context of the Cosumnes River watershed. “This acquisition helps protect extensive oak woodland and wildlife habitat, safeguards the quality of water flowing downstream to Sacramento, ensures the protection of cultural resources, and protects working agricultural lands,” she stated. “This region is the ancestral homeland of the Miwok people, and this area is of particular significance to local tribes.”
The funding for this ambitious project, totaling $4.7 million, came from a collaborative effort. The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) contributed $2.7 million, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) added $1 million from their Strategic Lands Conservation program, and the California Natural Resources Agency provided $1 million from the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Grant Program.
Angela Avery, Executive Officer of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, expressed their commitment to the cause, saying,
“The acquisition of El Dorado Ranch continues SNC’s long-standing relationship with American River Conservancy, as well as with other funding partners in these large projects, to protect the natural resources and wildlife habitat of the Sierra Nevada.”
El Dorado Ranch encompasses over 2 miles of contiguous riparian habitat on Slate Creek and Big Canyon Creek, crucial tributaries to the Cosumnes River. The property’s diverse ecosystems, including blue oak woodland, grassland, and mixed chaparral, further highlight its ecological importance.
Jennifer Norris, Executive Director of the Wildlife Conservation Board, added,
“WCB is excited to help establish the first Wildlife Area in El Dorado County, and we are grateful to the region’s indigenous people, who have been stewarding this land since time immemorial. It’s difficult to overstate the importance of protecting the Cosumnes River Watershed. The Cosumnes River is the only river on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada that remains undammed, and it supports a healthy population of wild fall-run Chinook salmon and steelhead that make their way from the ocean to spawning grounds in the Cosumnes each year.”
This conservation success not only safeguards critical habitats but also stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts of various organizations in ensuring the long-term health of California’s natural resources.
