We are excited to announce the permanent protection of another 27 acres of oak woodlands and wetlands in Placer County. This piece of land, located in Granite Bay, has special historical significance to local Native Americans. The land is located nearby to a historic Nisenan village named Odayan, and we have renamed the property “Odayan Preserve” in recognition of the many past generations of Nisenan people.
A recent mitigation agreement between the landowner, Amazing Facts Ministries, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers allows adjacent land to be developed for a church, while granting a conservation easement to PLT on the 27 acres containing the wetlands and oak woodlands.
Our role at the land trust will be to manage and monitor the property to ensure the wetlands and cultural values are protected in perpetuity. Funding for the ongoing stewardship of the property was provided by the landowner through the mitigation agreement.
“Our conservation easement permanently prohibits subdivision, development, and other activities that would be harmful to wildlife habitat, wetlands, Granite Bay water quality, and the historic character of this beautiful land,” said our Executive Director, Jeff Darlington. “Granite Bay has a rich history and a pretty amazing pre-history. 80-million year old dinosaur bones have been found here, and of course much more recently the Nisenan people lived along the American River, Dry Creek and Miner’s Ravine in the lush oak woodlands of Granite Bay. We are pleased to partner with Amazing Facts Ministries and the Army Corps of Engineers in protecting natural wonders like Odayan Preserve for current and future generations – this is truly a ‘partnership for the ages’.”
Matthew Moore, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer at the United Auburn Indian Community said, “We are pleased to see the Nisenan heritage honored here, and we thank Placer Land Trust for permanently protecting this land from development.”
Odayan Preserve is on land privately owned by Amazing Facts Ministries, and is not open to the public.
Placer Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit organization incorporated in 1991 that works with willing landowners and conservation partners to permanently protect natural and agricultural lands in Placer County for future generations. To date we have protected over 8,100 acres in 40 locations across Placer County – including farms and ranches, riverfront lands, wildlife preserves, scenic open spaces, public parks and recreation areas, and lands with significant cultural and historical significance.
