Quick Facts:
- 279 acres in rural Placer County near Camp Far West (Lincoln area)
- Protected in Spring of 2025; Placer Land Trust owns the land, Placer County and the Placer Conservation Authority co-hold a conservation easement
- Oak woodland, savannah, and grassland with over a half mile of Bear River frontage
- Purchased with funding from Placer County fees that help offset the loss of oak woodlands
About the Preserve
Vista Ranch is located along the south shore of Camp Far West Reservoir and the Bear River north of Lincoln. The ranch has been used for cattle grazing for generations of local ranchers from the Church and Barrie families. It was purchased by Munson Church during WWII, and stayed in the family until 1979. Although the family ranch was eventually sold, it remained undeveloped, and the Church and Barrie families continue to run cattle on the property.
Funding for the acquisition and permanent protection of the property came from Placer County fees that help offset the loss of oak woodlands and its associated wildlife habitat from rapid development in other areas of the County. Fee title ownership of the ranch is now held by Placer Land Trust; Placer County and the Placer Conservation Authority (PCA) co-hold a conservation easement on the property.
Together, Placer Land Trust, the County and the PCA will ensure the property is never subdivided and developed, and it will remain as protected open space forever. The property will be included in the Placer County Conservation Program (PCCP) Reserve System and will be managed to protect the blue oak woodlands, Bear River corridor, wildlife habitat, and livestock grazing.
Remote Wilderness Protection
Placer Land Trust’s Bear River Protection Program envisions protection of the Bear River watershed from Lake Combie to Camp Far West Reservoir. This area contains some of the last roadless areas in western Placer County, as well as significant oak woodlands, rangelands, and wilderness areas.
Oak Woodlands & Biodiversity
The area between Raccoon Creek and the Bear River represents the largest contiguous area of oak woodlands remaining in Placer County. Approximately 331 species of wildlife inhabit Placer County’s oak woodlands including mountain lions, bobcats, several species of hawk, rodents, snakes, owls, and songbirds. Large areas of intact wilderness provide critical habitat for larger animal species, such as blacktail deer. The oak woodlands between Bear River and Raccoon Creek form an important north-south corridor complimenting the east-west corridors formed by the rivers and the adjoining riparian habitat.
River Habitat
Healthy riparian zones provide critical habitat for a wide range of terrestrial and aquatic species while also contributing to water quality by filtering excessive nutrients and other pollutants before the water reaches the stream. The Bear River and the adjacent riparian area supports fish, otters, frogs, snakes, several species of songbird and the rare Northern Pacific pond turtle.
Agriculture
Livestock grazing has historically occurred on the Preserve, and continues to this day. In addition to contributing to the local agricultural economy, livestock grazing is an important tool in the management of oak woodlands, and can reduce invasive species and reduce fuel loads and the danger of catastrophic wildfire.
Vista Ranch is private property and is not open to the public. For a list of our properties that have public trails, visit our Trails page.
