Protecting Land on the West's Outstanding Rivers

With backing from GlobalGiving donors, Western Rivers Conservancy (WRC) is buying land along outstanding rivers across the western United States. Your gift supports the essential operating costs of purchasing land and placing properties into permanent conservation stewardship. Your contribution is dedicated to such activities as: developing relationships with willing seller landowners; preserving salmon and wildlife habitat; and creating new hiking trails, boating access and recreational opportunities.           

Thanks to your contribution, we have recently:   

- Conserved 400 acres along a great Colorado stream.

- Protected a vital fish and wildlife habitat corridor in northern California’s Sierra Nevada.

Colorado’s Gunnison River: Expanding a National Conservation Area in Colorado's High Desert

 In June 2012, Western Rivers Conservancy successfully conveyed 400 acres along Colorado’s Gunnison River to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), permanently protecting a property that was threatened by gravel mining and expanding the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area (NCA).

One of the great tributaries to the Colorado River, and the second largest river in Colorado, the Gunnison sweeps past rocky bluffs, desert slopes and riparian thickets of cottonwood. This is one of the few places where four species of Colorado Basin warm-water fish still survive: Colorado pikeminnow, humpback chub, bonytail chub and razorback sucker. The property, located at the entrance to the NCA, will help protect sensitive fish and wildlife habitat as well as create a public resource for hikers, floaters, anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts.

The NCA was designated by the BLM in 2009 and includes 66,280 acres of outstanding ecological and cultural resources including ancient fossil beds, red rock canyons and desert flora and fauna. WRC began securing critical portions of land in this region in 2010 with a 214-acre inholding purchase within the BLM-managed Bangs Canyon Special Recreation Management Area, just downstream from the NCA.

California’s Deer Creek: Conserving a Vital Link in the Sierra Nevada

In the northern Sierra Nevada foothills, Deer Creek winds through more than 50 miles of chaparral, blue oak groves and grassy hills. A haven for fish and wildlife, it is significant for its dam-free length, undeveloped stretches and breathtaking scenery. Deer Creek is also one of the precious few rivers that hold hope for restoring the Sacramento River’s endangered salmon and steelhead runs.

In March 2012, Western Rivers Conservancy (WRC) conveyed 600 acres along Deer Creek to the Northern California Regional Land Trust, permanently protecting the spectacular Lower Deer Creek Falls and completing a continuous fish and wildlife habitat corridor between the Lassen National Forest and the Ishi Wilderness Area. The property, purchased by WRC in 2009, received permanent funding from California’s Wildlife Conservation Board, a division of the California Department of Fish and Game, in December 2011.

In addition to important habitat, Deer Creek is an outstanding outlet for nature enthusiasts, hikers and recreationists alike, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Conveying this property into conservation stewardship will expand visitor access to hiking trails and waterfalls. The property connects to a complex of trails, including the trail to Lower Deer Creek Falls.

Conclusion

With the support of GlobalGiving donors, Western Rivers Conservancy is expanding our efforts to protect riverlands for fish, wildlife and people. Please contact David Wilkins at 503-241-0151, ext. 214 (or dwilkins@westernrivers.org) with any questions or for further information. Thank you.

• Western Rivers Conservancy: Project Photos (PDF)