Priority lands and waters protected forever
The Feather River Land Trust protects critical headwaters and habitat for thousands of wildlife and plant species in the Sierra Nevada’s largest watershed—a source of drinking water, agriculture, and hydropower for 27 million people.
Since 2000, FRLT has protected 59,000 acres of ecologically and culturally important landscapes in the Feather River Watershed. We’re working with private landowners to conserve priority lands in three regions across the watershed: Lake Almanor, Spanish & Indian Creeks, and Sierra Valley.
Lake Almanor Region
Conservation focus: water, wildlife, native homelands, and history
The Lake Almanor Region holds the headwaters of the North Fork Feather River—the watershed’s largest source of water.
Olsen Barn Meadow
Year Protected: 2015
Conservation Focus: Community, Kids in Nature, Native Homelands, Rare or Threatened Species, Water, Wildlife
Highlights: 130+ year old barn, endangered Willow Flycatcher, Yellow Warblers
Key Partners: Plumas County/CA Prop 50, Collins Family, Walker Family, 439 donors
Tásmam Kóyom (Humbug Valley)
Year Protected: 2019
Conservation Focus: Biodiversity, Climate Resilience, Community, Native Homelands, Rare or Threatened Species, Wildlife
Highlights: Historic return to Maidu ownership, Yellow Creek wild trout fishery, endangered Willow Flycatchers, Northern Goshawks, Sandhill Cranes, rare plants
Key Partners: Maidu Summit Consortium, Pacific Gas & Electric, Stewardship Council, CA Department of Fish & Wildlife
Mountain Meadows Reservoir
Year Protected: 2018
Conservation Focus: Climate Resilience, Native Homelands, Rare or Threatened Species, Recreation, Water, Wildlife
Highlights: 22 special status species, grebes, 100 year-old naturalized reservoir
Key Partners: Pacific Gas & Electric, Stewardship Council, Mountain Meadows Conservancy
Mountain Meadows Gateway Preserve
Year Protected: 2018
Conservation Focus: Community, Rare or Threatened Species, Recreation, Water, Wetlands, Wildlife
Highlights: Walking access to Mountain Meadows Reservoir, endangered Willow Flycatchers, Sandhill Cranes
Key Partners: Joseph and Vera Long Foundation, Mountain Meadows Conservancy, Sierra Pacific Industries, and 3 generous families
Maidu Trail
Year Protected: 2020
Conservation Focus: Community, Native Homelands, Open Space
Highlights: Historic return to Maidu ownership, forest habitat along Almanor shoreline
Key Partners: Maidu Summit Consortium, Pacific Gas & Electric, Stewardship Council
Maidu Forest
Year Protected: 2019
Conservation Focus: Community, Native Homelands, Open Space, Wetlands
Highlights: Historic return to Maidu ownership, forest and wet meadow habitats
Key Partners: Maidu Summit Consortium, Pacific Gas & Electric, Stewardship Council
Knowing that the landscapes I grew up with, home, will still be there—that there is a mechanism for conservation, a local group, and dedicated landowners—is everything to me.
—Robin Meacher, Eugene, OR
I am impressed with the open spaces, the forests and especially the rivers and streams. FRLT is dedicated to conserving these important landscapes and this mission is one that I wholeheartedly support. I encourage you to be part of the impressive work FRLT is carrying out in our watershed.
—Ceci Reynolds, member since 2005
Spanish & Indian Creeks Region
Conservation focus: cold streams, wet meadows, and native grasslands
Coldwater tributaries and wet meadows feed the East Branch of the North Fork Feather River.
Heart K Ranch
Year Protected: 2006
Conservation Focus: Agriculture, Biodiversity, Climate Resilience, Community, Native Homelands, Rare or Threatened Species, Water
Highlights: Continuous Maidu homeland, 29 rare or threatened species, historic barns, 2+ miles of Indian Creek, one of the region's most biodiverse properties
Key Partners: The Nature Conservancy, David & Lucile Packard Foundation, CA Wildlife Conservation Board, Northern Sierra Partnership, and hundreds of donors
Rogers Key Brand Ranch
Year Protected: 2013
Conservation Focus: Agriculture, Biodiversity, Open Space, Rare or Threatened Species, Water, Wetlands
Highlights: Large wetland and meadow habitats, migrating Sandhill Cranes and songbirds, historic Maidu village and Peter Lassen marker
Key Partners: Sierra Nevada Conservancy, Northern Sierra Partnership, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Pearce Family Ranch
Year Protected: 2010
Conservation Focus: Agriculture, Biodiversity, Open Space, Rare or Threatened Species, Water, Wetlands, Wildlife
Highlights: 6th generation ranch, 1.5 miles of Indian Creek, diverse songbirds and 6 native fish species
Key Partners: Sierra Nevada Conservancy, Northern Sierra Partnership, generous donors
Leonhardt Ranch Learning Landscape
Year Protected: 2012
Conservation Focus: Agriculture, Community, Kids in Nature, Open Space, Rare or Threatened Species, Water, Wildlife
Highlights: Quincy outdoor classroom, Sandhill Cranes, diverse songbirds and waterfowl, beavers, walking path along Boyle Creek
Key Partners: CalTrans, Leonhardt Family, Edwards Family
Sierra Valley Region
Conservation focus: wetlands, birds, and wild river headwaters
The Sierra Nevada’s largest wetlands form the headwaters of the Middle Fork Feather River—a Wild and Scenic River.
Sierra Valley Preserve
Year Protected: 2003-2019
Conservation Focus: Biodiversity, Climate Resilience, Community, Rare or Threatened Species, Water
Highlights: Exceptional birding, key stopover on the Pacific Flyway, 1,100+ acres of wetlands, headwaters of the Middle Fork Feather River
Key Partners: Northern Sierra Partnership, Sierra Business Council, The Nature Conservancy, David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Community Foundation of Western Nevada, Resources Legacy Fund, Firedoll Foundation, Mellam Family Foundation, Morgan Family Foundation
Trosi Canyon Ranch
Year Protected: 2005
Conservation Focus: Open Space, Rare or Threatened Species, Wildlife
Highlights: 100+ bird species, migratory and wintering habitat for Doyle Deer herd,
Key Partners: California Wildlife Conservation Board, Sierra Business Council, David and Lucile Packard Foundation, California Department of Fish & Wildlife, Alfred "Cookie" Gassiot
Balderston Ranch
Year Protected: 2007
Conservation Focus: Agriculture, Biodiversity, Climate Resilience, Wildlife
Highlights: large mountain mahogany stand, migration corridor for Truckee-Loyalton Mule Deer herd, Bald Eagles and Golden Eagles
Key Partners: Sierra Business Council, David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Daniel Balderston
Harris Ranch
Year Protected: 2003
Conservation Focus: Agriculture, Biodiversity, Climate Resilience, Rare or Threatened Species, Wildlife
Highlights: large mountain mahogany stand, migration corridor for Truckee-Loyalton Mule Deer herd, Bald Eagles and Golden Eagles
Key Partners: The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Business Council, David and Lucile Packard Foundation, California Department of Fish & Wildlife, Fred Balderston
Hill Ranch
Year Protected: 2020
Conservation Focus: Agriculture, Biodiversity, Open Space, Rare or Threatened Species, Water
Highlights: historic barn, working cattle ranch, special status species: Swainson's Hawk, Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle, Greater Sandhill Crane; migratory range for Truckee-Loyalton Mule Deer herd, Pronghorn deer
Key Partners: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Northern Sierra Partnership
Potter Ranch
Year Protected: 2020
Conservation Focus: Agriculture, Climate Resilience, Native Homelands, Water, Wildlife
Highlights: working ranch, upland bitterbrush habitat
Key Partners: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Northern Sierra Partnership
Grashuis Ranch
Year Protected: 2020
Conservation Focus: Agriculture, Biodiversity, Rare or Threatened Species
Highlights: unique Black Oak woodland habitat, Golden Eagles, volcanic cliff bird habitat, adjacent to Crocker Meadows Wildlife Area
Key Partners: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Northern Sierra Partnership, California Wildlife Conservation Board, California Department of Fish & Wildlife
Church Ranch
Year Protected: 2020
Conservation Focus: Agriculture, Biodiversity, Climate Resilience, Rare or Threatened Species, Water
Highlights: 160+ year old barn, wet meadow habitat, Sandhill Crane nesting habitat
Key Partners: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Northern Sierra Partnership, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, California Department of Fish & Wildlife
Loyalton Learning Landscape
Year Protected: 2014
Conservation Focus: Agriculture, Kids in Nature, Open Space, Water, Wildlife
Highlights: Working ranch, Learning Landscape outdoor classroom, exceptional cottonwood-willow habitat
Key Partners: Anne Chadwick, Northern Sierra Partnership, Sierra Nevada Conservancy, Hind Foundation, Gimbell Foundation
Sierra Valley Farms
Year Protected: 2019
Conservation Focus: Agriculture, Biodiversity, Community, Open Space, Wetlands
Highlights: 3rd generation family farm, wetland habitat next to FRLT's Sierra Valley Preserve, certified organic farm, seasonal farmers' market
Key Partners: Northern Sierra Partnership, The Nature Conservancy
Puma Robles Ranch
Year Protected: 2016
Conservation Focus: Biodiversity, Climate Resilience, Rare or Threatened Species, Wildlife
Highlights: 500+ plant species, 150 bird species, migration corridor for Pronghorn and Mule Deer herd
Key Partners: The Nature Conservancy, Northern Sierra Partnership, California Wildlife Conservation Board, California Natural Resources Agency Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California Department of Fish & Wildlife
Why We Do It
We all have a stake in a healthy future
From water to wildlife we’re conserving the places you love, now and for future generations.
Every acre we conserve begins with you
Join us in protecting critical headwaters and habitats for thousands of plant and wildlife species
You Can Count On Us
As a nationally accredited land trust, we are built to last. We leverage your donation 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.
Explore FRLT
State of the Lake
Join us on August 20 for an online panel discussion to share and learn about local efforts to enhance community vitality and sustainability in the Lake Almanor region.
Nature photographers help conservation
Nature photographers contributed their images to help conserve the Feather River region. We're grateful.
Reflecting on FRLT's Roots
FRLT's founder Paul Hardy reflects back on starting the land trust in 2000 with a small circle of volunteers. In 2020, FRLT is a nationally accredited land trust, 1,100 members strong, and has conserved nearly 60,000 acres.
Sierra Valley Conservation Partnership
We’re conserving working family ranches in Sierra Valley, which hold the Sierra Nevada’s largest wetlands and montane meadows and sustain incredible biodiversity.
Protecting PG&E Headwater Lands
We’re working to permanently conserve 43,000+ acres of important Maidu homelands, headwaters, and habitats owned and managed by Pacific Gas and Electric for public benefit.
Sierra Valley Farms Conservation Story
The 65-acre Sierra Valley Farms has been owned by the Romano family for three generations. The property is surrounded by FRLT’s Sierra Valley preserve and includes a certified organic farm and rich wetlands.
Olsen Barn Meadow Conservation Story
Olsen Barn Meadow, conserved in 2015, is 107 acres of meadow and wetlands with a 130+ year old historic barn next to Lake Almanor near Chester, CA.
Mountain Meadows Reservoir Conservation Story
Mountain Meadows is a hidden gem of scenic beauty, fresh water, and habitat for a rich diversity of wildlife and plants. This special Maidu homeland and beloved place for quiet recreation was protected in 2018.
2020 Vision
We’re on a campaign to conserve 120,000 acres of Feather River headwaters and globally unique wetlands, meadows, and forests for current and future generations.
