Napa County

Oak woodland
© Grant Johnson

Perhaps best known as one of the premier wine-growing regions in the world, Napa County is an exquisite landscape of mountains and valleys, with elevations ranging from near sea level at San Francisco Bay to 4,000 feet on Mount Saint Helena. While 80% of the county is in natural habitats, less than 20% of that has been set aside for conservation purposes.

Location
Approximately 60 miles northeast of San Francisco. Map

Size
Napa County is 505,859 acres (790 square miles).

Plants
The climate of Napa County ranges from cool coastal areas to hot and dry areas inland. The area has tremendous oak woodland resources and a variety of rare plant species associated with serpentine soils that the Conservancy is interested in protecting. The vegetation of Napa County includes annual grasslands, chamise, chaparral, mixed conifer, and redwood and Douglas fir.

Animals
An abundance of animals, including the Pacific giant salamander, the Northwestern pond turtle, and fall-run chinook salmon, call Napa County their home. The county is also home to a wide range of birds, including golden eagles, falcons, hawks, owls, osprey, and gnatcatchers. Species of concern include the spotted owl, red-legged frog, freshwater shrimp, and steelhead trout.

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
Agricultural conversion and human population growth are the two greatest threats to conserving the landscapes of Napa County. Between 1990 and 2000, more than 3,800 acres of non-agricultural land were converted to intensive agriculture in the county, resulting in a loss of local species and habitat. Because Napa County landscapes will continue to face development pressure in the foreseeable future, the Conservancy is launching the Napa County Project.

What the Conservancy is Doing
The Nature Conservancy is developing a Conservation Area Plan for Napa County. Once the plan is complete, we will work in cooperation with experienced partners such as the Land Trust of Napa County and other active environmental organizations to protect key areas.