Beautiful sunset view from the shore of Kidd Lake. Photo Courtesy: Joseph Dondelinger
7/1/2017
A crown jewel near Donner Summit has been preserved!
Placer Land Trust (PLT) is pleased to announce the recent permanent protection of 248 beautiful acres at Kidd Lake and Cascade Lakes near Donner Summit.
This property is now called “Kidd & Cascade Lakes Preserve” and is owned and managed by Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E), who donated a conservation easement to PLT to ensure that the land will remain as open space scenery, wildlife habitat, and unparalleled recreational asset in perpetuity.
“We are pleased to have partnered with PG&E to protect this pristine land for good,” said PLT Executive Director, Jeff Darlington. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with PG&E to protect additional lands along the Interstate 80 corridor in the next couple years.”
Kidd Lake covered in snow this spring. Photo Courtesy: Wes Woodland
Known well to Placer County residents and visitors alike, this area is rich in wildlife and recreation opportunities. Royal Gorge, the largest cross country ski resort in North America, leases the property to offer world-class cross country skiing and snowshoeing. PG&E also operates a group camp at Kidd Lake. There is ample space for hiking, swimming, biking aplenty…or simply staying quiet and taking in the beauty of the Sierra Nevada.
Surrounding the area are mixed conifer forests that provide habitat for a diverse range of wildlife, including bear, deer and coyote. PLT’s role is to make sure that all this beauty and biodiversity remains protected for current and future generations to enjoy.
Kidd Lake campground; see recreation.pge.com for campground info.
“PG&E is proud to partner with Placer Land Trust on the permanent protection of this amazing resource”, said Mike Schonherr, PG&E’s Director who oversees its land conservation commitment program. “The donation of this conservation easement is another important step in PG&E’s work to permanently protect more than 140,000 acres of watershed lands. We look forward to working with PLT on these and other lands in Placer County.”
Kidd & Cascade Lakes Preserve is the third property that PLT has preserved in partnership with PG&E and the Pacific Forest and Watershed Lands Stewardship Council. Through this joint effort, by the end of 2019 PLT will hold a dozen conservation easements guaranteeing protection of over 6,000 acres in the Bear River, Yuba River, and American River watersheds of Placer County.
