Over the past several years, we’ve all seen how important it is for people to be able to enjoy the outdoors and have access to our beautiful natural places. Lake Clementine is one of our most popular local gems — so we’re especially pleased to announce the permanent protection of 10 acres of lakefront land at Upper Lake Clementine near Foresthill!
Placer Land Trust purchased Clementine Beach Preserve from a willing seller to ensure continued public access to Upper Lake Clementine and to keep development away from the lakeshore. This new preserve contains a section of Upper Lake Clementine Road, which leads to the Upper Lake Clementine Day Use Area, as well as a stretch of beach and gravel bars where the North Fork American River enters Lake Clementine.
“Protecting public access to outdoor recreation is a vital part of our work to ensure future generations have some of the same opportunities to enjoy the outdoors as we do today,” said Placer Land Trust Executive Director Jeff Darlington. “It’s important that some of our beautiful natural areas remain undeveloped and accessible to the public.”
Clementine Beach Preserve is surrounded by federally owned land that is managed by State Parks. Placer Land Trust will work with State Parks staff to manage the Preserve as part of the Auburn State Recreation Area.
“State Parks believes this acquisition will help protect public access to this popular area,” said ASRA Superintendent Mike Howard. “We look forward to partnering with Placer Land Trust to manage these lands.”
Funding for the acquisition and protection of the Preserve was provided to Placer Land Trust by the Emigrant Trails Greenway Trust, and the purchase price was generously discounted by the seller.
“Lake Clementine use has really increased since Covid-19, with families and friends from all walks of life enjoying this community treasure,” said Patty Schifferle, Trustee for the Emigrant Trails Greenway Trust. “Clementine Beach Preserve is another important gem in our vision of protecting rivers, watersheds and public access to nature from the Sierra to the sea.”
The topography of the Preserve and surrounding lands is steep, with oak woodlands and habitat for wildlife lining the scenic slopes of the river canyon. Placer Land Trust’s acquisition and protection of Clementine Beach Preserve, along with its other preserves in the area, ensures that a significant stretch of the North Fork American River canyon will be permanently protected and remain natural. No subdivision or residential development will ever occur on the Preserve.
The American River provides substantial domestic water for Placer County and the surrounding region, and Placer Land Trust has an interest in keeping that water clean and free from runoff, erosion, sedimentation, and pollution. Placer Land Trust accomplishes this by working with willing landowners and conservation partners to prevent development and other harmful land uses that result in erosion, sedimentation and pollution in the river canyon.
