The Nature Conservancy protects 2,900 acres in Mount Hamilton Range

Purchase protects tule elk habitat, wildflower field and a regional wildlife corridor

Ashrama, Calif.—July 7, 2006—The Nature Conservancy announced today the acquisition of the 2,899-acre South Valley Ranch in the San Antonio Valley near Mount Hamilton. The Conservancy purchased the property from the Ronald David Hurner Trust for $5.2 million with a loan and $500,000 grant through a dedicated account from the Conserving California Landscapes Initiative created by the David and Lucille Packard Foundation. The Conservancy plans to transfer the property to the California Department of Fish and Game in coming months.

Located equidistance between San Jose, Livermore and Patterson, the ranch features outstanding valley oak woodlands and native wildflower fields as well as the headwaters for creeks leading to Lake Del Valle, a major water provider for the Bay Area. This rich habitat supports golden eagles, mountain lions and the western pond turtle, a California species of special concern.

“San Antonio Valley has been a priority for us for a number of years because of quality of the valley oaks and the beautiful display of spring flowers that can be seen every year. This acquisition now protects the southerly portion of this valley,” said Lloyd Wagstaff, project director for The Nature Conservancy. “Because of the property’s central location in the Mount Hamilton range and its gentle terrain and open grasslands, it plays a critical role in connecting the wildlife habitat in this area.”

The valley is also used extensively by tule elk, a species once extirpated from the Mount Hamilton range but reintroduced in the late 1970s. Current herd numbers are estimated between 75 and 100 animals.

“Because of the exceptional habitat value of this property, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation saw a great opportunity to focus on our common interests and partner with The Nature Conservancy and the Hurner family,” said Bob Hammond, Lands Program Manager. “By working together, we can leave a lasting legacy of wildlife and habitat for ourselves and future generations to care about and enjoy.”

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation partnered with the Conservancy on this acquisition by securing the grazing rights on the property. Based in Missoula, Montana, RMEF is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitats. The Elk Foundation and its partners have permanently protected or enhanced more than 4.5 million acres, a land area nearly twice as large as Yellowstone National Park.

Because the South Valley Ranch is located adjacent to Henry Coe State Park, keeping the land in a natural state will provide a buffer from development that could degrade habitat within the park’s boundaries. However, the property will not be open to the public at this time.

The Nature Conservancy brokered this deal in order to secure the property while the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) seeks funding to take possession of it. According to Terry Palmisano, Senior Wildlife Biologist with DFG, the agency plans to approach the Wildlife Conservation Board for approval to acquire the property later this year. The Conservancy will transfer the property for the loan amount.

“We are very excited about getting the South Valley Ranch into the ownership of the people of California,” said Palmisano. “The property will be closed for the first year to get it posted and assess the ecological values. We will then work on a management plan to determine how the property will be used and opened to the public. This land will be a tremendous resource for wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts.”

The agency already owns and manages the Canada de los Osos Ecological Reserve located on the southern flanks of the state park. The 4,200-acre preserve offers hunting programs for children. The property comprising the preserve was protected by The Nature Conservancy in 2000 and transferred to DFG in 2001.

Since 1998, The Nature Conservancy has worked with a wide variety of partners to protect sensitive habitat in the Mount Hamilton range. To date the Conservancy has conserved more than 83,000 acres through acquisitions and easements, bringing the total protected acres in the range area to more than 300,000.

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The Nature Conservancy is an international non-profit membership organization, whose mission is to preserve plants, animals, and natural communities by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy and its more than one million members have safeguarded more than 15 million acres in the United States. The Conservancy has also worked with like-minded partner organizations to preserve more than 100 million acres in Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Pacific, and Asia. In California, The Nature Conservancy has protected more than 1.2 million acres. Visit us on the web at nature.org/california.

Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Missoula, Mont., the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat. The Elk Foundation and its partners have permanently protected or enhanced more than 4.5 million acres, a land area nearly twice as large as Yellowstone National Park. More than 450,000 acres previously closed to public access are now open for hunting, fishing and other recreation. The Elk Foundation has more than 160,000 members, a staff of 150 and 11,000 active volunteers. To help protect wild elk country or learn more about the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, visit www.elkfoundation.org or call 800-CALL-ELK.