Partnership for the ages protects Granite Bay property
Granite Bay, CA—Placer Land Trust has announced the permanent protection of 27 acres of oak woodlands and wetlands in Granite Bay – land with special historical significance to local Native Americans.
A recent mitigation agreement between the landowner, Amazing Facts Ministries, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers allows adjacent land to be developed for a church, while granting Placer Land Trust a conservation easement on the 27 acres. Placer Land Trust is a nonprofit working with willing landowners to permanently protect natural and agricultural lands in Placer County.
“Our conservation easement permanently prohibits subdivision, development, and other activities that would be harmful to wildlife habitat, wetlands, Granite Bay water quality, and the historic character of this beautiful land,” said Jeff Darlington, Placer Land Trust’s Executive Director.
The land is located nearby to a historic Nisenan village named Odayan, and Placer Land Trust has renamed it “Odayan Preserve” in recognition of the many past generations of Nisenan land stewardship.
“We’re pleased to see the Nisenan heritage honored here, and we thank Placer Land Trust for permanently protecting this land from development,” said Matthew Moore, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer at the United Auburn Indian Community.
Odayan Preserve is on land privately owned by Amazing Facts Ministries, and is not open to the public. Placer Land Trust will manage and monitor the property to ensure the wetlands and cultural values are protected in perpetuity. Funding for the ongoing stewardship of the property was provided by the landowner through the mitigation agreement.
“Granite Bay has a rich history and a pretty amazing pre-history,” said Darlington. “80-million year old dinosaur bones have been found here, and of course much more recently the Nisenan people lived along the American River, Dry Creek and Miner’s Ravine in the lush oak woodlands of Granite Bay. We are pleased to partner with Amazing Facts Ministries and the Army Corps of Engineers in protecting natural wonders like Odayan Preserve for current and future generations – this is truly a ‘partnership for the ages’.”
About Placer Land Trust
Placer Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit organization incorporated in 1991 that works with willing landowners and conservation partners to permanently protect natural and agricultural lands in Placer County for future generations. To date the Trust has protected over 8,100 acres in 40 locations across Placer County – including farms and ranches, riverfront lands, wildlife preserves, scenic open spaces, public parks and recreation areas, and lands with significant cultural and historical significance. For details, see www.placerlandtrust.org or call (530) 887-9222.