The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

The Carson River at River Fork Ranch Martin Swinehart

The Truckee River Restoration Project

The Basics:

• Approximately 10 river miles and over 600 acres  protected along the Truckee River east of Reno.
• Active restoration work taking place on approximately 400 acres and 9 miles of river at 4 locations - McCarran Ranch, 102 Ranch, Lockwood Park, and Mustang Ranch.
• Restoration work to date includes the creation of 22 wetlands, 33 river riffle sections, and 8 new river bends.

Restoration Project Locations to visit:

Lockwood Park - Directions from Reno: Take 1-80 East to the Exit 22 (Lockwood - approximately 5 minutes outside of Sparks).  Go right (South) off of exit onto Canyon Road and turn right again into Lockwood Park before you reach the bridge.

McCarran Ranch Preserve - The preserve is now open to the public from dawn until dusk daily.  Click here for more details.

Independence Lake Preserve

The Basics:

- 2325 acres of land surrounding Independence Lake  purchased by The Nature Conservancy in 2010.
- Lake elevation of 6,950 feet.
- Located in the northern Sierra Nevada in California in the headwaters of the Truckee River.
- Surrounded by National Forest land.
- Supports the Reno and Sparks drinking water supply. 

Click here for directions and information on visiting

The Carson River Project

The Basics:

- 805 acre nature preserve and working cattle ranch at the base of the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada.
- Natural surface hiking and biking trail along two miles of the West Fork of the Carson River.
- Home of the Whit Hall Interpretive Center – A LEED certified showcase of energy saving technologies.

 Project Locations to Visit

The River Fork Ranch Preserve is open to the public. Please click here for additional details.

Bently-Kirman Tract - Click here for more information on the Bently-Kirman Tract trail system.  Directions: From Carson City, go south on US 395 for approximately 8 miles.  Turn left at Stephanie Way and continue for approximately 1 mile.  Turn left at Heybourne Road and proceed approximately 1/2 mile.  Entrance to Bently-Kirman Tract trail system will be on your left.  Click here for a trail map.

The Amargosa River Project

The Basics:

-Located in the Mojave Desert, the Amargosa River is roughly 125 miles long with most of its course underground. Wherever the river surfaces, ecologically rich oases  are created.
-The Nature Conservancy has been involved in conserving this area for almost 30 years.
-We are working with partners to restore a 12-mile expanse of springs, wetlands and riparian habitat in the Oasis Valley. In addition, work is being done to protect important areas at the southern end of this river system

Project Locations to Visit

Torrance Ranch - We will celebrate the opening of a new boardwalk at the Torrance Ranch Preserve in the fall of 2012; check back for more details.  Directions: Take US-95 north from Las Vegas to Beatty. From Beatty, continue north on US-95 for 7.3 miles and take a right turn onto Oleo Road (this is a dirt road) where you will see a gate and “The Nature Conservancy / Torrance Ranch” sign to your left. Proceed through gate, close gate behind you and continue north on dirt road and bear right after approximately 1/10th mile. Follow Oleo Road for roughly another 1/10th mile to parking/trailhead area.