The Crevis Creek Oak Woodland Preserve adjoins the Deer Creek Hills Preserve behind Rancho Murieta. Photo courtesy of Sacramento Valley Conservancy

SACRAMNTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - Two new preserves in the greater Rancho Murieta area will permanently protect 243 acres of oak woodlands and grasslands, expanding a network of conserved land in eastern Sacramento County.

Sacramento Valley Conservancy holds permanent conservation easements on the properties, which Westervelt Ecological Services established as habitat mitigation for a development project in Folsom.

The 125-acre Crevis Creek Oak Woodland Preserve adjoins the 4,600-acre Deer Creek Hills Preserve. The 118-acre Golden Hills Preserve protects grasslands that provide foraging habitat for Swainson’s hawks, a state-listed threatened species.

“These acquisitions represent another important step in our effort to connect and protect contiguous preserves in Sacramento County, and we're excited to continue working with Westervelt,” said Kelly Hopkins, the conservancy’s executive director.

The Golden Hills Preserve helps connect protected lands extending from Van Vleck Ranch to the northeast toward the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Cosumnes and Gill Ranch preserves to the southwest. Photo courtesy of Sacramento Valley Conservancy

The Crevis Creek preserve advances the conservancy’s goal of protecting 10,000 acres of blue oak woodlands south of Folsom. Found only in California, blue oak woodlands grow in the lower foothills of the Sierra Nevada and Coast Ranges.

The habitat provides food, nesting sites, shelter and movement corridors for more than 300 vertebrate species and thousands of invertebrates, according to the conservancy. The property remains privately owned, with grazing continuing to manage vegetation and maintain its agricultural use.

Golden Hills Preserve helps connect protected lands extending from Van Vleck Ranch to the northeast toward the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Cosumnes and Gill Ranch preserves to the southwest. Connecting protected areas helps wildlife move between habitats.

Westervelt will own and manage Golden Hills, using grazing to reduce fire risk and control vegetation growth. The preserve protects foraging habitat for Swainson’s hawks as urban expansion reduces the land available to the birds.

Together, the conservancy and Westervelt have permanently protected more than 1,500 acres in Sacramento County. The partners plan to pursue additional properties to expand and connect protected lands.

“We value our partnership with the Sacramento Valley Conservancy and share their commitment to connecting important natural landscapes throughout Sacramento County,” said Travis Hemmen, president of Westervelt Ecological Services.

Founded in 1990, Sacramento Valley Conservancy is a nonprofit land trust that has protected more than 18,850 acres across the region. Its work includes conserving wildlife habitat, agricultural land and open space, as well as providing opportunities for outdoor education and recreation.