The natural resources on the property, Vista Ranch has been used for cattle grazing for generations of local ranchers from the Church and Barrie families. Photo courtesy of Placer County

AUBURN, CA (MPG) - A partnership between Placer Land Trust, Placer County, and the Placer Conservation Authority to conserve 279 acres of blue oak woodlands recently closed escrow.

The property, known as Vista Ranch, is located along the south shore of Camp Far West Reservoir and the Bear River north of Lincoln. Funding for the acquisition and permanent protection of the property came from Placer County fees that help offset the loss of oak woodlands and their associated wildlife habitat from development in other areas of the county.

In addition to the natural resources on the property, Vista Ranch has been used for cattle grazing for generations of local ranchers from the Church and Barrie families. It was purchased by Munson Church during World War II, and stayed in the family until 1979. Although the family ranch was eventually sold, it remained undeveloped, and the Church and Barrie families continue to run cattle on the property.

The property, known as Vista Ranch, is located along the south shore of Camp Far West Reservoir and the Bear River north of Lincoln. Photo courtesy of Placer County

“I think it's great that Placer Land Trust is going to keep the property like it is,” said Jim Barrie, Church’s grandson, who currently holds the grazing lease. “Too much has changed over time in the Lincoln area. When I was a boy, everything was ranches out here. I'm thrilled it will stay as agricultural land for cattle grazing.”

The area between Raccoon Creek and the Bear River represents the largest contiguous area of oak woodlands remaining in Placer County. At least 331 species of wildlife inhabit Placer County’s oak woodlands. Placer Land Trust’s Bear River Protection Program envisions protection of oak woodlands and rangelands in the Bear River watershed from Lake Combie to Camp Far West Reservoir.

Fee title ownership of the ranch is now held by Placer Land Trust, a nonprofit accredited land trust that works with willing landowners and conservation partners to permanently protect and care for natural and agricultural lands in Placer County.

Placer Land Trust’s Bear River Protection Program envisions protection of oak woodlands and rangelands in the Bear River watershed. Photo courtesy of Placer County

Placer County and the PCA co-hold a conservation easement on the property. Together, Placer Land Trust, the county and the PCA will ensure the property is never subdivided and developed, and it will remain as protected open space forever.

The property will be included in the Placer County Conservation Program Reserve System and will be managed to protect the blue oak woodlands, Bear River corridor, wildlife habitat and livestock grazing.

For more information on the Placer County Conservation Program, click here.

For more information about Placer Land Trust and Vista Ranch, click here