Placer County just got a bit greener with 264 new acres of open space entering the conservation fold. The Mourier West property, lying dormant in the expanse of unincorporated Placer County west of Roseville, has been folded into the Placer County Conservation Program's (PCCP) reserve system. The area includes a network of vernal pools, wetlands, and a segment of Pleasant Grove Creek that boasts a thriving riparian environment teeming with naturally regenerating oak trees, as per Placer County.
The acquisition, reported by official sources, was closed on Tuesday. The purchase was made possible largely thanks to a grant from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, approximately $3.2 million in total, specifically aimed to rapidly meet the state's environmental conservation targets. An additional $41,301 was pitched in by the Placer Legacy Program, further underscoring the local community's commitment to safeguarding agricultural integrity and precious open spaces.
This new patch of protected land is strategically placed, bridging together over 1,200 acres of adjacent conserved areas, and expanding contiguous habitats that are vital for wildlife. The landscape serves as a sanctuary for at least 14 special status wildlife species, providing a habitat rich enough to sustain quirky vernal pool fairy shrimps across 50 identified wetlands.
"I’m very excited and proud of the PCCP’s hard work to continue conservation efforts that protect our sensitive species and Placer County’s rural quality of life," said District 2 Supervisor Shanti Landon in a statement obtained by Placer County's official release. These words are a testament to the enthusiasm behind these environmental initiatives, looking to indefinitely preserve unique ecosystems through recorded conservation easements. The PCA will also look to extend their protective reach, hopefully integrating even more neighboring properties into their ecological embrace.
The PCCP's conservation plans are far from complete, with around 4,861 acres currently under protection and an eye towards an ambitious 47,300-acre goal within western Placer County. These efforts dovetail with California's larger environmental goals, aiming to securely put aside 30% of the state's lands and coastal waters by 2030 — a challenge, but one the PCCP seems determined to pursue headstrongly.
