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Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve Expands

Preservation Partnership With Land Trust of Napa County Adds 482 Acres to the 嘿嘿视频 Natural Reserve

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aerial view of forest and mountains around Lake Berryessa
Nearly 500 acres of oak woodlands and chaparral communities abutting Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument will be incorporated into 嘿嘿视频' Stebbins Cold Canyon Natural Reserve following a land transfer from Land Trust of Napa County. (Courtesy Land Trust of Napa County)

Nearly 500 acres of the California Coast Range鈥檚 signature oak woodlands and chaparral communities will be incorporated into the Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve under a transfer between the and the University of California, Davis.

is a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Annually, over 65,000 visitors enjoy hiking the reserve鈥檚 trail system, with its eagle-eye views of Lake Berryessa and spectacular displays of wildflowers. The addition of these properties complements existing uses by providing a protected area of the reserve dedicated to research and instruction.

The Land Trust of Napa County purchased the property in 2020 with the intention of adding it to the 嘿嘿视频 Natural Reserves.

鈥淲e鈥檙e pleased to assist in adding this beautiful property to the Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve,鈥 said Doug Parker, CEO of the land trust. 鈥淲ith this latest acquisition, the Stebbins reserve will include over 1,100 acres, adding to an important site for research into the area鈥檚 natural values.鈥

Wildflowers at Stebbins Cold Canyon Natural Reserve.
A lupine rises above the grass at Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve, part of the 嘿嘿视频 Natural Reserve System. (Chris Nicolini/嘿嘿视频)

History of partnership

A long history of partnership between the land trust and 嘿嘿视频 has preserved roughly 7,600 acres of land that have been included in the Quail Ridge and McLaughlin natural reserves.

鈥淭his relationship is a win-win for both of us,鈥 said Shane Waddell, associate director of the 嘿嘿视频 Natural Reserves. 鈥淭he land trust forever protects the land, and the university facilitates research, provides hands-on learning opportunities for students and manages the natural resources to enhance native flora and fauna.鈥

The importance of conservation of California鈥檚 lands and biodiversity has been recently highlighted by the state鈥檚 30x30 initiative committing to protect 30% of California鈥檚 lands and coastal waters by 2030. This property protects extensive oak woodlands and chaparral communities, which dominate the California Coast Ranges, and provides habitat corridors for wildlife.

view of spring mountains at Stebbins Cold Canyon Natural Reserve
A mountain view of Stebbins Cold Canyon Natural Reserve in April 2022. (Kat Kerlin/嘿嘿视频)

A model ecosystem

鈥淭hese lands are representative of a large area of California and provide a model ecosystem for researchers to study impacts of climate change, drought and wildfires affecting the entire state,鈥 said Waddell.

The property abuts Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve and Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. It is embedded in a larger landscape of protected lands, including the California Department of Fish and Wildlife鈥檚 Putah Creek Wildlife Area, the local non-profit Tuleyome and the Bureau of Reclamation at Lake Berryessa.

鈥淭he acquisition dovetails nicely with larger area goals for community engagement, enhanced recreational opportunities, education and interpretation that the reserve is coordinating with partner agencies and organizations,鈥 said Paul Havemann, Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve manager.

The land trust retained a conservation easement over the property. This provides a double layer of protection, further ensuring protection of the property鈥檚 natural values in perpetuity. The Napa Open Space District assisted in this land transfer.

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Media Resources

Media Contacts:

  • Kat Kerlin, 嘿嘿视频 News and Media Relations, 530-750-9195, kekerlin@ucdavis.edu
  • Kimberly Howard, Land Trust of Napa County, 707-252-1135 (direct), 707-252-3270 (office)

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