Quick Facts:
- 17-acre preserve is located in the City of Auburn
- Owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)
- Protected in 2023 by Conservation Easement granted to Placer Land Trust
- Open to the public for fishing, hiking, and sightseeing
Wildlife Habitat and Watershed Land
Wise Forebay Preserve contains foothill hardwood woodlands, seasonal wetlands, and aquatic habitat that are valuable for a diverse range of wildlife in the Upper Auburn Ravine watershed. The entire Wise Forebay Reservoir is located on the property, providing habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds. Wise Forebay Preserve provides public access and recreation opportunities including fishing, hiking, and sightseeing.
This preserve is part of PG&E’s hydroelectric watershed lands, and PG&E’s use of the property for hydroelectric power generation will continue. The Conservation Easement otherwise protects the property forever for the benefit of open space, scenery, recreation, and foothill habitat.
Partnership
The Conservation Easement protecting this land was donated by PG&E to Placer Land Trust as part of an ongoing partnership between Placer Land Trust, PG&E, and the Pacific Forest and Watershed Lands Stewardship Council (Stewardship Council). Through this partnership, Placer Land Trust plans to protect 6,200 acres of watershed lands in the Bear River, Yuba River, and American River watersheds of Placer County by the end of 2023. This is part of a much larger effort in which PG&E and the Stewardship Council are working with land trusts to permanently protect 140,000 acres of land across 22 counties in California, much of it in the Sierra Nevada.
Access
The official public parking and access point for the property is located along Merry Knoll Road. For current general access information, please visit PG&E’s website.
