This summer is shaping up to be hot at Placer Land Trust with the addition of nearly 800 acres of permanently protected wildlife habitat in Lincoln.
Placer Land Trust recently recorded a conservation easement on the Antonio Mountain Ranch property on Fiddyment Road in Lincoln, as part of a mitigation project to permanently protect 794 acres of grasslands, vernal pools, streams and other wetlands as critical wildlife habitat and scenic open space, forever.
“With this easement, we’ve now permanently protected over 10,000 acres in Placer County,” said Placer Land Trust Executive Director Jeff Darlington. “Mitigation projects like this help our rural county balance the growth of development with the protection of our most important resource lands and open spaces. Current and future generations benefit from this balance – as does our environment, economy, and quality of life.”
The easement leaves Lewis Antonio Mountain Ranch LLC as the landowner, while granting Placer Land Trust the job of monitoring and defending the terms of the easement that protect critical habitat for many important wildlife species, ranging from golden eagles to vernal pool fairy shrimp. Over 1,000 tri-colored blackbirds nest on the site, one of the largest known flocks of this endangered species in Placer County.
Lewis Antonio Mountain Ranch LLC is a subsidiary of AKT Investments, a prominent real estate developer in the greater Sacramento area. The LLC will continue to own the land and manage it for wildlife benefit consistent with the terms of the easement. AKT Investments will utilize the property as a mitigation bank, including starting work this summer to restore vernal pools and enhance associated habitat to improve the ecological value of the site.
“AKT values its continuing relationship with Placer Land Trust and the Trust’s commitment to providing permanent protection of vernal pool landscapes throughout the Placer County region,” said Ron Bertolina, AKT Investments’ Vice President and General Counsel.
The newly protected Antonio Mountain Ranch Preserve contains four miles of streams, 31 acres of vernal pools, and 45 acres of wetlands and marsh. Biologists documented a whopping 225 plant species on site, including two special-status plant species. Seven special-status bird species were also documented, including burrowing owl, white-tailed kite, northern harrier, and prairie falcon.
- Tri-colored blackbirds at Antonio Mountain Ranch Preserve – photo courtesy of WRA Inc.
