About Home & 101 Ranches
Safeguarding Sierra Nevada meadows
Fast Facts
- 2,477 acres (Home Ranch) and 1,826 acres (101 Ranch) in Lassen County
- Protected by Conservation Easements in 2021 (Home Ranch) and 2024 (101 Ranch)
- Protected for: Biodiversity, Climate resilience, Open space, Rare or threatened species, Water, Wetlands
- Rare or Threatened Species: 39 rare or threatened wildlife and plant species, including Willow Flycatcher
- Significant portion of large montane meadow complex in the Sierra Nevada
- Landowner: Sierra Pacific Industries
Water & Ecology
Made up of two individual properties (Home & 101 Ranch), this area holds a significant portion of the second-largest montane meadow in the Sierra Nevada. Montane meadows account for less than 1% of landscapes in the region, making this habitat particularly important for plants and wildlife and vulnerable to degradation. These expansive meadows host spring-fed Goodrich Creek, an important cold-water trout fishery, which travels through to Mountain Meadows Reservoir, Hamilton Branch, and Lake Almanor. This water hydrates the entire state through the CA State Water Project. Large intact meadows like this are rare, yet exceedingly important for safeguarding water resources and wildlife habitat in a changing climate.
TPL/Mark Lathrop
TPL/Mark Lathrop
FRLT/Kristi Jamason
Flora & Fauna
Sitting where three distinct ecoregions converge, these two properties are a biodiversity hotspot. They provide habitat for at least 39 rare wildlife and plant species and are important for wildlife connectivity. This includes the Willow Flycatcher, an increasingly imperiled species that is beloved by birders and locals alike. Mammals like Pine Marten, Gray Wolf, and Black Bear move through this corridor throughout the seasons.
Culture & History
Historically, local timber company Red River Lumber originally owned both ranches in the early 1900s, and the land was used primarily for grazing for over 100 years. SPI acquired Home Ranch in 1992 from a timber company and 101 Ranch in 2015 from a cattle company.
The larger Mountain Meadows area is an integral part of the creation story of the Mountain Maidu people. The Maidu have continuously practiced their unique cultural traditions in the region including land stewardship for ecological health, medicines, and other life-giving resources for thousands of years.
Sierra Pacific is pleased to work with our conservation partners in a manner that balances sustainable forest management, ranching, and environmental protection. Initiatives like this reflects SPI's commitment to both ecosystem stewardship and responsible economic activity.
—Mark Emmerson, CEO of Sierra Pacific Industries
Photo by Ryan Burnett
Norm Williams
Photo by Betty Bishop
The Home Ranch and 101 Ranch are outstanding for their size, important spring fed water resources, and biological diversity. The true value of these easements will be told in the decades ahead as FRLT, SPI, and partners work to revitalize these landscapes for the benefit of wildlife and human communities. Conserving and restoring this landscape has been a priority for Point Blue for over two decades. It has been great to work with Feather River Land Trust to achieve our shared goals.
—Ryan Burnett, Sierra Nevada Director of Point Blue Conservation Science
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Working together to protect SPI lands
Home and 101 Ranches are owned and managed by Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI). The conservation easement FRLT holds ensures that the property will not be subdivided or developed in the future. This conservation project was a years-long effort with many partners including Trust for Public Land, Point Blue Conservation Science, Plumas Corporation, Northern Sierra Partnership, CA Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wildlife Conservation Board, Sierra Nevada Conservancy, and with support from many FRLT members.
FRLT/Kristi Jamason
FRLT/Kristi Jamason
TPL/Mark Lathrop
Stewardship of Home and 101 Ranch
The conservation easement protects these lands in perpetuity and guides grazing, vegetation, and water management toward greater resilience. As the conservation easement holder, FRLT meets with SPI annually to ensure that the terms of the easement are being upheld.
A conservation plan is now in place to balance land uses with meadow restoration and recovery. Modified land management practices informed by the project team and already put into effect by the landowner have resulted in improved bird habitat and meadow conditions. Additionally, willow stakes planted by local students are showing signs of growth, and wildflowers are thriving. These improvements are expected to continue over time and eventually restore the meadow’s capacity to retain water, for the benefit of Californians who depend on this water supply and the many species that rely on wet meadow habitats.
An example of patient and deliberate collaboration, this project is a model for how Sierra meadows can be conserved and managed for biodiversity and climate resilience while remaining working landscapes.
The Trust for Public Land is honored to partner with Sierra Pacific Industries and Feather River Land Trust to conserve and further enhance these incredibly significant mountain meadows in the headwaters of the North Fork Feather River. This collaboration is an example of the power of partnership to protect a large and important landscape.
—Guillermo Rodriguez, California State Director at Trust for Public Land
Now, more than ever, we need your support
Help us care for these unique meadow lands
Recreation & Access
Home and 101 Ranches are privately owned and operated ranches and are not open to the public. You can view a large portion of the ranches from Highway 36 east of Westwood.
The closest FRLT preserve to Home and 101 Ranches is the Mountain Meadows Gateway Preserve in Westwood, which connects visitors to the larger Mountain Meadows Reservoir (Walker Lake), also protected with a conservation easement.
North Fork Properties Conserved
Mountain Meadows Gateway Preserve
Conservation FocusMountain Meadows Reservoir
Conservation FocusLake Almanor
Conservation FocusOlsen Barn Meadow
Conservation Focus101 Ranch
Conservation FocusWarner Valley
Conservation FocusMaidu Cemetery
Conservation FocusHome Ranch
Conservation FocusMaidu Wetlands
Conservation FocusButt Valley Reservoir
Conservation FocusMaidu Trail
Conservation FocusMaidu Forest
Conservation FocusTásmam Koyóm (Humbug Valley)
Conservation FocusYou Can Count On Us
As a nationally accredited land trust, we are built to last. We leverage your donations with state, federal, and foundation dollars and strategic partnerships to achieve the greatest possible impact for the lands, waters, and people of the Feather River region. You can count on us to make careful and effective use of your support.
More Stories from FRLT
Why Meadows Matter
The Feather River Watershed is home to some of the largest wetlands and montane meadows in California and FRLT is on a mission to conserve them.
Lake Almanor Conservation Story
Lake Almanor is one of northern California’s most beloved gems. The PG&E owned reservoir and its diverse wildlife habitats are now protected forever with a conservation easement.
What is a Conservation Easement?
FRLT uses conservation easements to protect important land and water in perpetuity. But what is a conservation easement?
Protecting PG&E Headwater Lands
We worked with PG&E and Maidu Summit Consortium to protect 43,000+ acres of important Maidu homelands, headwaters, and habitats for public benefit.
November 22 | Volunteer Training
For docents that will be helping guide guests around the Sierra Valley Preserve Nature Center.
Grand Opening | Nature Center at the Sierra Valley Preserve
We can't wait to welcome you to the Sierra Valley Preserve Nature Center!
November 16 | Nature Journaling with John Muir Laws
Join John Muir Laws for a nature journaling workshop all about Sierra birds!
November 16 | Book Launch with John Muir Laws
Celebrate the launch of John Muir Laws' newest book about Sierra Birds with this special event!
Impact Reports
From protecting headwaters and biodiversity to enhancing access to nature, learn what our supporters make possible.
