Garden Bar Preserve
Nevada County Land Trust to Save 3,000 Acres of Connected Land

Nevada County Land Trust has entered into an agreement to acquire 652 acres on the Bear River. This pristine landscape, called Garden Bar Preserve, is contiguous to 900 acres across the river which is protected with a conservation easement held by Placer County Land Trust.

This acquisition connects with conservation easements on nearby private properties held by Nevada County Land Trust. It means there will be a permanently protected connected landscape of more than

3,000 acres. The goal is to improve wildlife corridors thereby enhancing migration and circulation between the Bear River and Spenceville. This region is under intensive development pressure. The land has a number of natural and scenic conservation values, recreation, and historically significant features. It encompasses the Emigrant Trail "Garden Bar" crossing of the Bear River for pioneers traveling over Donner Pass into central California. Also there is evidence of important Native American archeological sites.

Public River Access
The proposed public access offers diverse groups access to an important Bear River area – the only access to the river in Nevada County that is not on private propety. It includes hiking trails and equestrian trails, nature viewing and study, picnic areas, and historical and archeological study and tours.

Garden Bar at Risk
Because of the ongoing improvement of transportation corridors and its close proximity to growing population areas of Auburn and Sacramento, this region is under development pressure. Within 20 years, as planned road projects are completed, this preserve will be 20 minutes from downtown Roseville.

Bear River Watershed Protection Fund
Fortunately, awareness and action to protect space have never been greater. Acquisition funding will come from public sources. Governmental agencies want to insure that landscape purchases have the support of the local community. To this end, Nevada County Land Trust and Placer Land Trust have established the Bear River Watershed Protection Fund to acquire this landscape and additional easements and fee properties in the watershed on both sides of the river.