Quick Facts:
- 417 acres on the North Fork American River across from Sore Finger Point at Big Bend
- Protected in 2014 in partnership with Trust for Public Land and California Natural Resources Agency
- Donated in 2016 California State Parks, ensuring that this American River property will be protected forever
Protecting Canyon Lands
Placer Land Trust’s acquisition of the 417-acre Big Bend North Fork Preserve, in addition to other PLT properties, permanently protects a ten mile stretch of the North Fork American River above Lake Clementine and ensures the public’s access to the river along Ponderosa Way. Placer Land Trust’s stewardship of the property will ensure that no development occurs in this part of the canyon, keeping the river wild and scenic, forever. Primary funding was provided by the California Natural Resources Agency. Funding for ongoing and permanent management of the land was provided by the previous landowner, the Foresthill Land Company, and the Trust for Public Land.
The land was acquired by Placer Land Trust in 2014 through a partnership with the Trust for Public Land, in order to protect the habitat and recreation values of the land and transfer it to State Parks for inclusion in the popular Auburn State Recreation Area (ASRA). However, in 2014 State Parks was not in a position to take title to the property, so Placer Land Trust held and managed the property until State Parks could accept it. In March 2016, Placer Land Trust announced the donation of the 417-acre “Big Bend North Fork Preserve” to California State Parks, along with significant funding to ensure that this American River property will be protected forever.
River Recreation
The Big Bend North Fork Preserve is adjacent to the Auburn State Recreation Area near the Ponderosa Way Bridge across from Sore Finger Point at Big Bend. This is a popular area for swimming, kayaking and rafting.
Water Quality
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 works with willing landowners to prevent development and other harmful land uses in the canyons from polluting local waterways.
Wildlife & Scenery
The Big Bend North Fork Preserve is across from Sore Finger Point at Big Bend near the Ponderosa Bridge. The preserve straddles the river, with the majority on one side of a northern-facing steep hillside above the North Fork of the American River. This area is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife – from large mammals (bear, deer, coyote) to reptiles, amphibians, birds and insects, and fish and aquatic life in the river itself. Together with the beautiful flora dominated by oaks and pines, the wildness of this area provides breathtaking scenery from up- and down-canyon.
