Placer Land Trust protects 192 acres in Foresthill

Placer Land Trust has permanently protected the 192-acre Spring Garden Preserve on Foresthill Divide near the community of Foresthill. Spanning the canyons and watersheds of the North and Middle forks of the American River, the property was initially marketed for development, given its easy access, gentle topography, views of the rivers and proximity to other residential developments. Instead, the landowners, Foresthill Land Company LLC, worked with Placer Land Trust to ensure the forested land will continue to be open space. The preservation of forests, clean water sources, cultural history and wildlife habitat will benefit the public for generations. The property was originally slated to be a 65-lot subdivision, said Lynette Batt, conservation director for Placer Land Trust. Batt said the developer and landowner were gracious in working with the Placer Land Trust until they could secure the funds to preserve the property. "The landowner and his realtor were absolutely key to our success," said Placer Land Trust Executive Director Jeff Darlington. "They took the land off the market while we secured funding and waited through the state review process. The landowner made a very generous and critical donation that will allow us to protect and manage the land in perpetuity. Landowners like this make conservation of land in Placer County possible, and we are deeply grateful." When preserving land, one aspect Placer Land Trust examines is connectivity with other preserved (public or private) land spaces. Placer Land Trust looks to protect large blocks of land that are connected with other protected pieces to maximize the benefits for wildlife. This strategy is especially important to the black bear, bobcat, coyote, black-tailed deer, raptors and mountain lion in the area. "We look at conservation from both a natural resources, ecological resources and a human perspective," Batt said. The purchase of Spring Garden Preserve creates a large contiguous block of protected land, as it connects with the 416-acre Big Bend North Fork Preserve, Auburn State Recreation Area and federal Bureau of Land Management land. Placer Land Trust and The Trust for Public Land purchased the Big Bend property from the same landowner in 2014 and transferred it to state to become part of the Auburn State Recreation Area. "What is cool about this property is that it has a really unique diversity of forests," Batt said. "It's pretty unusual for this amount of forest types in one property." Spring Garden Preserve features large stands of mature madrone trees alongside huge blue and black oaks, Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine. Purchase of the property was funded by the CAL FIRE Forest Legacy Program. Batt said the CAL FIRE grant is highly competitive and there are only three Legacy grants awarded in the state, so Placer Land Trust was excited to be chosen. In line with program goals, the preserve will be managed to support ecologically healthy and fire-resistant forests, diminishing risk to adjacent residential properties and neighborhoods, and providing a "wildlife corridor" across Foresthill Road. "CAL FIRE is pleased to help conserve the Spring Garden Preserve Forest Legacy Project, as it protects forestland from residential development in the Wildland Urban Interface," said CAL FIRE Director Thom Porter. "Conservation of this property will help protect important forest resources in the Sierra Foothills while also securing open space, carbon sequestration, clean air and water for future generations." Spring Garden Ravine runs through the property and into the Middle Fork American River. Folsom Lake is fed by the American River, and as the largest source of water in the Sacramento region, protection of the American River and its tributaries is a significant benefit. Old topographic maps and documents show the historic Spring Garden School was located on the property. Spring Garden Ranch and Mine was situated nearby and served as a central hub for the Foresthill mining community. A homestead was located on the property, and Native American grinding rocks found on site indicate the land was a food gathering and preparation site for local Indigenous peoples. "It's such a beautiful property with beautiful views of the canyon," Batt said. "We are hoping to expand and open the trails and maybe connect them to other public trails in the future." Several miles of trails on the property are used by neighboring landowners. Placer Land Trust plans to improve the trails and open them for public recreation. They do not connect to the Foresthill Divide Loop but may eventually be connected to the Auburn State Recreation Area trail system.