Quick Facts:
- 402 acres in Rocklin, California
- Protected in 2025 by Conservation Easement jointly held by Placer Land Trust and Placer County
- Oak woodlands, grasslands, and wetlands surrounding Clover Valley Creek
- Habitat for threatened bird species – California black rail and Swainson’s hawk
- Protected in partnership by Placer Land Trust and Jessup University, with support from many local agencies and the community
- Protected for its natural and cultural values, as well as compatible educational and future recreation uses
- Owned and managed by Jessup University; not yet open to the public
Clover Valley is one of the last remaining intact sections of oak woodlands in western Placer County. This valley is home to a wide variety of ecosystems, wildlife habitat, and historic Native American sites. In one area of the valley, beavers have created a 20-acre wetland along Clover Valley Creek that is now home to a rare and threatened bird species, the California black rail. A stone’s throw away, you can see where Native Americans lived in harmony with nature for thousands of years.
A Decades-Long Conservation Effort
Clover Valley was under intense pressure from development for decades, with approvals and entitlements in place for 500+ single-family homes and a roadway across the valley floor. For years, community members rallied together to hold off the construction of subdivisions, roads, and highways that would destroy this last wild place. Finally in 2025, working with the original landowner as a willing seller, Placer Land Trust and Rocklin-based Jessup University purchased and protected the land through a conservation easement.
Jessup University found an opportunity to save Clover Valley through their discussions with the landowner, and negotiated the purchase of 402 acres of the valley floor at a discounted price of $10M. In 2022, Jessup chose to partner with Placer Land Trust to draw on our fundraising and land protection expertise and to ultimately hold a conservation easement on the property.
Early grant-seeking efforts were largely thwarted by California’s budget deficit, which effectively dried up public conservation funding. In a nail-biting final push, Placer Land Trust rallied local agencies and organizations in an extraordinary collaborative partnership. Placer County, the City of Rocklin, City of Lincoln, the Placer County Office of Education, Sky View Foundation, and Emigrant Trails Greenway Trust all made significant contributions to the fundraising effort.
Individuals also contributed over $1.3M, and hundreds of people wrote to elected officials or spoke at public meetings advocating for saving Clover Valley. Finally, in Spring of 2025, funds were secured to place a permanent conservation easement on the valley. The easement is to be jointly held by Placer Land Trust and Placer County, and ensures that the valley will be protected forever.
Conservation Values
Clover Valley Creek flows year-round through the preserve, where native beavers have helped to form a 20-acre wetland. A rare and threatened bird species, the California black rail, has been observed in these wetlands. The valley also contains critical foraging habitat for the threatened Swainson’s hawk and a tremendous diversity of wildlife.
Riparian forest along the creek includes valley oaks, white alder, cottonwood, elderberry, and willow. The thickets of brambles and shrubs provide habitat and shelter for California quail, numerous other bird species, cottontails, opossums, skunks, raccoons, and deer. Reptiles and amphibians along the creek include western pond turtle, western toad, garter snakes, ring-neck snake, bullfrog, and Pacific tree frog. Kingfishers and herons also frequent the wetlands, and raptors such as kites and hawks have been observed regularly in the valley.
The valley slopes contain the iconic blue oak woodlands that characterize Placer County’s foothills. Blue oak woodlands are one of the most biodiverse habitats in California, home to over 300 animal species.
Educational Values
Clover Valley will provide a valuable learning resource for students of all ages in Placer County. As an outdoor classroom, the valley offers opportunities for nature study, research projects, and much more.
Cultural Resources
Clover Valley has been home to Native Americans for over 7,000 years, and was a major tribal center. This rich history is still present in Clover Valley. Field work has identified 34 prehistoric sites, including bedrock mortars.
Recreation
Placer Land Trust is working with key partners on plans for stewardship and for educational and recreational access. Clover Valley will eventually be open to the public in ways that align with the protection of the natural and cultural values of this land, but it will take some time to establish guidelines for safe, legal and compatible public access on this one-of-a-kind preserve. In the meantime, we plan to hold docent-led tours of the valley.
Map
See below for a map of the 402-acre preserve area:
