PLACER COUNTY, Calif. — The Placer Couty Board of Supervisors approved using funds from the county's open space and agricultural protection program to purchase part of Redwing Ranch.
The 430 acres of land will go to the Placer County Conservation Program. The board of supervisors approved using $400,000 from Placer Legacy toward the purchase of the northern part of Redwing Ranch.
"In Placer County, we're extremely proud of our open space programs and what these kinds of conservation programs add to our quality of life," said District 2 Supervisor Shanti Landon, who represents the Sheridan area, in a statement. "To add an additional 430 acres of open space, grazing land and habitat for protected species brings us up to almost 3,000 total acres in Sheridan that will remain as open space and preserve our agricultural heritage."
The northern part of Redwing Ranch includes more than 65 acres of riparian wetland, more than 11 acres of seasonal wetlands and more. The area is home to 20 special status species including the vernal pool fairy shrimp, the California black rail and tricolored blackbird among others.
The total land purchase is $5.39 million, which is coming from the $400,000 from Placer Legacy combined with a $4.28 million federal grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a $1.1 million state grant from California Wildlife Conservation Board - Department of Fish and Wildlife.
“This collectively represents the most significant leveraging of Placer Legacy funds to match state and federal grants in the 22-year history of the program,” said PCCP Administrator Gregg McKenzie in a statement. “The federal and state grant contributions total roughly $12 million, and the Placer Legacy Program’s contribution totals roughly 7% at $845,000.”
The county purchased the 560-acre southern portion of Riosa Redwing Ranch in November 2022. This brings the Redwing Ranch purchase to a total of 990 acres.
Watch more on ABC10 | Skiers spot bear on ski run at Heavenly Mountain Resort
