246 acres of grasslands and vernal pools protected for endangered species
Placer Land Trust and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) are pleased to announce the permanent protection of Bushamul Vernal Pool Preserve, 246 acres of vernal pool grasslands, wetlands, and habitat for endangered species in Sheridan.
“Vernal pool grassland protection projects like this help our rural county balance the growth of development with the protection of endangered species,” said Placer Land Trust Executive Director Jeff Darlington. “Current and future generations benefit from this balance — as does our environment, economy, and quality of life.”
A Conservation Easement covering the 246-acre preserve was donated to Placer Land Trust by PG&E as required by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and other public resource agencies to mitigate for impacts to vernal pool species and wetland, riparian and grassland habitat. The Preserve contains similar habitat to some of the lands impacted by the operation and maintenance of PG&E’s electricity and natural gas infrastructure in Northern California.
“This partnership with Placer Land Trust is a wonderful opportunity to serve our planet and deliver for our hometowns by protecting this high quality, vernal pool habitat in Placer County,” said Joe Wilson, PG&E North Valley and Sierra Regional Vice President. “Conserving this critical habitat through PG&E’s multi-region habitat conservation plan (HCP) contributes to a healthy environment and prosperity for our customers who benefit from system operation and maintenance activities under the plan.”
The preserve is made up of approximately 211 acres of grasslands and 35 acres of wetlands, vernal pools, streams, and riparian habitat. This diverse landscape provides critical wildlife habitat and scenic open space in the unincorporated area of Sheridan north of the City of Lincoln.
Photo: Jaymee Marty
The most unusual animal that lives, feeds, and breeds on this preserve is the Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp (Branchinecta lynchi), a tiny freshwater crustacean endemic to California that is Federally listed as a threatened species. Over 90% of California’s vernal pools have been destroyed by development and other land conversion. This preserve and other Placer Land Trust vernal pool preserves provide some of the last protected habitat for the shrimp and other vernal pool species.
Vernal pools are an integral part of the Central Valley ecosystem. Migratory waterfowl feed on the fairy shrimp and the other aquatic life in the vernal pools as they move up and down the Pacific Flyway. The grasslands surrounding vernal pools teem with other bird life. The Northern Harrier (a State species of special concern) is frequently seen here, and the preserve also provides suitable habitat for other rare birds such as Swainson’s Hawk, Western Burrowing Owl, Song Sparrow, and Tricolored Blackbird.
“Vernal pools are unique because they occur on these ancient landforms that have facilitated the evolution of species of plants and animals found nowhere else in the world,” says vernal pool ecology expert Jaymee Marty. “Vernal pool species have adapted to deal with extreme dry and wet conditions characteristic of California’s Mediterranean climate. Shrimp are the caretakers of the vernal pool, using their 11 pairs of legs to not only swim and breathe, but also to feed on algae and plankton. Conservation of this species results in conservation of a unique landscape that is irreplaceable. I am so grateful to land trusts like Placer Land Trust for continuing to conserve vernal pool habitat in California.”
The Preserve also contains Valley Elderberry, the host plant for the Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle (Desmocerus californicus), a Federally threatened species.
Bushamul Vernal Pool Preserve got its name from the historic Nisenan village of Bushamul. According to the United Auburn Indian Community (UAIC), the Preserve is situated near site of this historic village. UAIC gave their approval of the use of the Nisenan name for this purpose.
PG&E owns the land and will continue to manage it for wildlife benefit consistent with the terms of the easement, including livestock grazing and beekeeping, which are beneficial not only to our local agricultural industry but also to the vernal pool grassland habitat. Placer Land Trust’s role will be to monitor the Preserve on an annual basis, ensuring the terms of the easement are being upheld, and that the conservation values of the land are protected for future generations.
