It has been a busy spring here at Placer Land Trust — with multiple exciting land protection projects reaching completion, we’ve had our hands full in the best possible way! We are now finalizing the permanent protection of Vista Ranch, 279 acres of blue oak woodlands and cattle grazing land in rural Placer County. This land protection project is a collaborative effort between Placer Land Trust, Placer County, and the relatively new Placer Conservation Authority (PCA).
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.
“I think it’s great that Placer Land Trust is going to keep the property like it is,” says Jim Barrie, Church’s grandson, who currently holds the grazing lease. “Too much has changed over time in the Lincoln area. When I was a boy, everything was ranches out here. I’m thrilled it will stay as agricultural land.”
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. Placer Land Trust’s Bear River Protection Program envisions protection of oak woodlands and rangelands in the Bear River watershed from Lake Combie to Camp Far West Reservoir.
Krista Abrahams sold the property to Placer Land Trust at a discount because she wanted to contribute to protecting the agricultural heritage of Placer County.
“The first time my husband and I visited this jewel along the Bear River, we were struck by how special this property is,” Abrahams said. “It has panoramic views from Sacramento and Mount Diablo to the south and the volcanic mountains marching north, but the most notable impact is to experience the hidden, quiet, isolated wilderness. Over the years, I have admired Placer Land Trust’s dedication to preserving the heritage of Placer County, so when it came time to protect this land, Placer Land Trust was the natural choice.”
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 will be held by Placer Land Trust; Placer County and the Placer Conservation Authority (PCA) will co-hold a conservation easement on the property. The PCA is a joint powers authority created in 2020 to administer the Placer County Conservation Program (PCCP) to support a balance of growth and conservation in western Placer County.
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 PCCP “Reserve System” and will be managed to protect the blue oak woodlands, Bear River corridor, wildlife habitat, and livestock grazing.
