About Sierra Nevada Journeys Land Transfer
Expanding local outdoor education camp with protected land
Fast Facts
- 1,025 acres in Plumas County, near Portola
- Protected by: conservation easement and transferred to Sierra Nevada Journeys in 2025
- Rare or threatened species include bobcat, pine marten, a variety of owls, and the endangered Willow Flycatcher
- Protected for: Water, Wildlife, Biodiversity, Climate resilience, Kids in nature, Open space
- Landowner: Sierra Nevada Journeys
Water & Ecology
The open space of this beautiful landscape offers vistas along the Feather River Scenic Byway, adjacent to the City of Portola. The land is part of the Big Grizzly Creek Corridor, which connects Lake Davis and the Wild and Scenic Middle Fork Feather River, a critical source of water to the State Water Project serving downstream agriculture and drinking water to millions of Americans. The newly conserved land includes multiple perennial springs and 1.2 miles along the west side of the creek.
FRLT/Kristi Jamason
FRLT/Kristi Jamason
FRLT/Kristi Jamason
FRLT/Kristi Jamason
Flora & Fauna
This property provides important wildlife habitat with high-quality forage and shelter for mule deer. It is home to more than 100 bird and animal species that live, breed, or migrate through the property including: sandhill cranes, flammulated owls, martens, screech owls, barn owls, great horned owls, bald eagles, native trout, bats, river otters, mink, mountain lions, bobcats, black bears, osprey and the willow flycatcher, which is a California-listed endangered species.
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Photo by Betty Bishop (all rights reserved)
Courtesy of Sierra Nevada Journeys
Norm Williams
FRLT/Kristi Jamason
Conserving ecologically important lands in the Feather River region and connecting kids to nature is core to our mission. This property features outstanding wildlife habitat, springs, and Feather River tributaries, and we’re thrilled it will remain intact and be a place for kids to learn and explore.
—Corey Pargee, Executive Director of FRLT
History & Culture
The property is within the traditional territory of both the Mountain Maidu and Washoe people. The piece of land transferred to Sierra Nevada Journeys was originally owned by Sierra Health Foundation—a private philanthropy investing in partnership and programs that improve health, racial equality, and racial justice in Northern California—as a camp for youth with disabilities. Since 2010, Sierra Nevada Journeys has brought fifth and sixth-grade students to camp for outdoor school and hosted a variety of community partners for leadership and youth development programs.
This is far more than a land transaction — it’s an investment in our children and the landscapes they will inherit. This expansion allows us to reimagine what’s possible for hands-on, outdoor science learning in the Sierra. We’re deeply grateful for our partnership with the Feather River Land Trust, which ensures the permanent protection of an iconic Sierra landscape while opening extraordinary new opportunities for students.
—Sean Hill, CEO of Sierra Nevada Journeys
Working together to protect Sierra Nevada Journeys
The expansion and conservation of Sierra Nevada Journeys was a unique collaboration, bringing together multiple partners. This property was conserved in partnership with the California Wildlife Conservation Board, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), and Sierra Nevada Journeys. The conservation easement FRLT holds permanently protects ecological and cultural resources and guarantees that the property cannot be subdivided or developed in the future.
Now, more than ever, we need your support
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Stewardship of Sierra Nevada Journeys
As the conservation easement holder, FRLT meets with the landowners annually to review management plans and visits the property to evaluate any potential impacts on conservation values and ensure that the terms of the easement are being upheld. Sierra Nevada Journeys will be working actively to manage the property for prevention and forest health, providing important fuel breaks and mitigating the risk of wildfire in this mountain community.
Recreation & Access
Sierra Nevada Journeys hosts more than 10,000 students and families for hands-on outdoor science learning at their now 1,494 acre camp, with fifth- and sixth-grade students traveling by bus with their schools from across the region—from the Bay Area and Central Valley to the Greater Sacramento Region and Northern Nevada. While this is a youth camp, it is not open to the general public for visiting.
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Conservation FocusYou Can Count On Us
As a nationally accredited land trust, we are built to last. We leverage your donations with state, federal, and foundation dollars and strategic partnerships to achieve the greatest possible impact for the lands, waters, and people of the Feather River region. You can count on us to make careful and effective use of your support.
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A new Nature Center at the Sierra Valley Preserve
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Lake Almanor Conservation Story
Lake Almanor is one of northern California’s most beloved gems. The PG&E owned reservoir and its diverse wildlife habitats are now protected forever with a conservation easement.
Bucks Lake Conservation Story
Protected in 2021, Bucks Lake is a Plumas County treasure. Surrounded by public lands and the PCT, the PG&E owned reservoir offers exceptional outdoor recreation and its habitats support a remarkable diversity of wildlife.
2025 Conservation Successes
Take a look back at 2025 with us and celebrate all you helped make possible in the Feather River Watershed.
California Naturalist Program at Sierra Valley Preserve
The California Naturalist course connects you to the wonders of your local ecology and engages you in the stewardship of California’s natural communities.
Plein Air Painting Club
Join us monthly at the Nature Center for the Plein Air Painting Club with Sarah Horton.
Land Trust Accreditation
Since 2015, FRLT has been a nationally accredited land trust. We have been verified to be practicing at the highest conservation standards.
