Our Vision

Collaborative Conservation on the Banks of the Yuba River

In July of 2011, following two years of negotiations, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife acquired the 528- acre Yuba Narrows Ranch, ensuring that this significant property, with almost two miles of critical salmon spawning habitat along the Yuba River and Deer Creek, will be permanently protected as open space. In the summer of 2012 our friends at the Bear Yuba Land Trust purchased Phase One of the Black Swan Ranch, which includes the historic Black Swan Lake and hydraulic diggings, and is home to the imperiled Western Pond turtle and a rich variety of bird species. And in early 2013 the Wildlife Conservation Board purchased Phase Two of the Black Swan, in collaboration with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. In 2016 the Bear-Yuba Land Trust purchased an additional 15 acres of wetland habitat west of the Black Swan Preserve,  resulting in a total of over 700 acres of permanently conserved and publically accessible land. Trails and parking development has begun – watch the Bear-Yuba Land Trust page for more developments!

Conservation easements have been placed on each of the eleven parcels of the Excelsior Ranch, which vary from thirteen to thirty acres in size and have been available for purchase since 2013. Development on each of these prime equestrian/view properties is limited to building envelopes carefully placed to minimize impacts and take full advantage of each property’s breathtaking views, with most of the remaining acreage dedicated to equestrian and other agricultural uses. Each parcel has full access to Excelsior’s private equestrian and hiking trails, as well as the public trails of the Yuba Narrows and Black Swan Ranches. The resource-rich blue oak woodlands which occupy the large majority of the Excelsior Ranch will be permanently protected and managed by the Ranch’s steward-owners, who will also play a significant role in oversight of the Black Swan and Yuba Narrows conservation areas. In this way, more than 870 acres – over 95% – of the unique and important property will be permanently preserved.

All of the Ranch properties are ready-to-build, with underground power installed, piped irrigation water and approved septic systems. Four have groundwater wells in place and all have access to wireless broadband. The Ranches have been popular, with most of the properties sold and some extraordinary homes built and under construction.  Only two of the eleven ranches — Ranches 4 and 6 — remain available for purchase. Interested in becoming a partner in this groundbreaking conservation effort? Click here to contact us for a private tour or to find out more.

Collaborative Conservation on the Banks of the Yuba River

In July of 2011, following two years of negotiations, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife acquired the 528- acre Yuba Narrows Ranch, ensuring that this significant property, with almost two miles of critical salmon spawning habitat along the Yuba River and Deer Creek, will be permanently protected as open space. In the summer of 2012 our friends at the Bear Yuba Land Trust purchased Phase One of the Black Swan Ranch, which includes the historic Black Swan Lake and hydraulic diggings, and is home to the imperiled Western Pond turtle and a rich variety of bird species. And in early 2013 the Wildlife Conservation Board purchased Phase Two of the Black Swan, in collaboration with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. In 2016 the Bear-Yuba Land Trust purchased an additional 15 acres of wetland habitat west of the Black Swan Preserve,  resulting in a total of over 700 acres of permanently conserved and publically accessible land. Trails and parking development has begun – watch the Bear-Yuba Land Trust page for more developments!

Conservation easements have been placed on each of the eleven parcels of the Excelsior Ranch, which vary from thirteen to thirty acres in size and have been available for purchase since 2013. Development on each of these prime equestrian/view properties is limited to building envelopes carefully placed to minimize impacts and take full advantage of each property’s breathtaking views, with most of the remaining acreage dedicated to equestrian and other agricultural uses. Each parcel has full access to Excelsior’s private equestrian and hiking trails, as well as the public trails of the Yuba Narrows and Black Swan Ranches. The resource-rich blue oak woodlands which occupy the large majority of the Excelsior Ranch will be permanently protected and managed by the Ranch’s steward-owners, who will also play a significant role in oversight of the Black Swan and Yuba Narrows conservation areas. In this way, more than 870 acres – over 95% – of the unique and important property will be permanently preserved.

All of the Ranch properties are ready-to-build, with underground power installed, piped irrigation water and approved septic systems. Four have groundwater wells in place and all have access to wireless broadband. The Ranches have been popular, with most of the properties sold and some extraordinary homes built and under construction.  Only two of the eleven ranches — Ranches 4 and 6 — remain available for purchase. Interested in becoming a partner in this groundbreaking conservation effort? Click here to contact us for a private tour or to find out more.