The Golden Hills Preserve provides foraging land for Swainson’s Hawk, which is a California threatened species losing habitat to outward urban expansion. Photo courtesy of Sacramento Valley Conservancy

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – Sacramento Valley Conservancy (SVC) added two new open space preserves to the system of protected lands in Sacramento County this summer, one protecting blue oak woodlands and the other open grasslands for Swainson’s Hawk foraging.

Hardwood forests and grasslands are among the least-protected landscapes in California, and these new preserves are a small step toward addressing this gap as the state seeks to reach 30X30 biodiversity goals. Westervelt Ecological Services established the preserves as habitat mitigation for a development project in the City of Folsom.

The Crevis Creek Oak Woodland Preserve connects to the 4,600-acre Deer Creek Hills Preserve and adds 125 acres of protected oak woodland in Eastern Sacramento County, where SVC has a goal of protecting 10,000 acres of blue oak woodlands south of Folsom.

Found only in California, blue oak woodlands are iconic landscapes inhabiting the lower foothills of the Sierra Nevada and Coast Ranges. Blue oak woodland habitat supports exceptional biodiversity, providing food, nesting sites, shelter, and movement corridors for more than 300 vertebrate species and thousands of invertebrates, including birds, mammals, reptiles, pollinators, and amphibians. The preserve remains privately owned and will be grazed for vegetation management and agricultural values.

The Crevis Creek Oak Woodland Preserve connects to the 4,600-acre Deer Creek Hills Preserve and adds 125 acres of protected oak woodland in Eastern Sacramento County, where SVC has a goal of protecting 10,000 acres of blue oak woodlands south of Folsom. Photo courtesy of Sacramento Valley Conservancy

The Golden Hills Preserve provides foraging land for Swainson’s Hawk, which is a California threatened species losing habitat to outward urban expansion. The 118 acres of open grasslands will help connect other large preserves with Van Vleck Ranch to the northeast and the CDFW Cosumnes and Gill Ranch preserves to the southwest.

Connected protected areas are critical for wildlife corridors to function and wildlife to successfully migrate between different habitat zones. Westervelt will own and manage the property, continuing to manage the grasslands with grazing to manage fire risk and vegetation growth.

Sacramento Valley Conservancy holds permanent conservation easements on the properties, ensuring they remain protected for habitat conservation. Together, Sacramento Valley Conservancy and Westervelt have permanently protected more than 1,500 acres within Sacramento County. The partners remain committed to acquiring additional priority properties to expand protected lands and strengthen the ecological integrity and connectivity of the preserves.

Executive Director of the Sacramento Valley Conservancy Kelly Hopkins said, “These two preserves help expand open space and protect important oak woodland in the Cosumnes River Watershed, and near Deer Creek Hills Preserve. These acquisitions represent another important step in our effort to connect and protect contiguous preserves in Sacramento County, and we're excited to continue working with Westervelt.”

President of Westervelt Ecological Services Travis Hemmen said, “We value our partnership with the Sacramento Valley Conservancy and share their commitment to connecting important natural landscapes throughout Sacramento County. These preserves help preserve some of the character and natural habitat of the region for future generations to enjoy.”