Californians received a special gift this holiday season with the protection of Napa Ranch, the largest conservation purchase in the history of Napa County. In December 2005 The Nature Conservancy joined forces with five public and private organizations to protect the rolling hills and expansive meadows of this stunning 12,575-acre property.
 

Napa Ranch is now part of an existing network of public lands that support a critical wildlife corridor for animals like bear, mountain lion and golden and bald eagle. The property also contains some of the state’s most biologically important habitats, including oak woodlands and serpentine chaparral – two highly threatened vegetation types in California. With the population in Napa County expected to increase 33 percent by 2020, habitat in Napa and the surrounding area is at particular risk.

"The protection of Napa Ranch is a big step in our effort to protect the region's natural treasures and its way of life before it's too late," says Ray Krauss of the Blue-Ridge Berryessa Natural Area Conservation Partnership, the leading organization in efforts to save Napa Ranch.

Napa Ranch falls within a 750,000-acre corridor of still-undeveloped land called the Blue-Ridge Berryessa Natural Area, which spans the inner coast range across Napa, Yolo, Lake and Colusa Counties. Krauss’ organization is promoting the protection of this expansive landscape by encouraging collaboration among public, private and nonprofit organizations.

To protect Napa Ranch, The Blue-Ridge Berryessa Natural Area Conservation Partnership enlisted funding and assistance from the Wildlife Conservation Board, the Land Trust of Napa County, the California Department of Fish and Game, the California Coastal Conservancy and The Nature Conservancy. On Thursday, December 15th the Wildlife Conservation Board purchased Napa Ranch for $12.5 million.

"This is the future of conservation in California," says George Yandell, North Coast project director for The Nature Conservancy. "The Blue-Ridge Berryessa Natural Area Conservation Partnership has combined a strong vision with a team of forward-looking partners to protect one of our state's most important natural areas. It's a great example of what we can accomplish by working together."

Napa Ranch will become part of the California Department of Fish and Game’s Knoxville Wildlife Area, adding to a network of regional open space areas offering hiking, camping, fishing, and other wildlife-compatible recreational opportunities. The Nature Conservancy and the Blue-Ridge Berryessa Natural Area Conservation Partnership will work with the Department of Fish and Game to create a management plan for the landscape.