Protected lands
Two watersheds. One working portfolio.
Every property ARC owns or has helped protect lives within the upper American or upper Cosumnes River watersheds — the Sierra-foothill seam where snowmelt becomes drinking water for two million people.
The portfolio at a glance
30,000+
Acres protected since 1989
15,000+
Acres ARC owns and manages
10,000+
Acres transferred to BLM management
5
Active properties open to the public
Open to visitors
Where to walk, learn, and give back.
Three ARC properties anchor the public experience of the watersheds. Each one is the result of years of acquisition work, partnerships, and donor support.
Active campaign 7,178 acEl Dorado Ranch
Phase 5 of a 13-year acquisition. The single largest area of protected blue oak woodland in the county. Future home of the first State Wildlife Area in El Dorado County.
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Heritage 272 acWakamatsu Farm
The original site of the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm Colony — first Japanese settlement in the United States. Now a working farm, learning campus, and event venue.
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Recreation 757 acAcorn Creek
The trailhead at Salmon Falls Ranch. Multi-use trails for hikers, bikers, and equestrians, connecting to the South Fork American River Trail.
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Two more, in partnership
Chili Bar and the BLM lands.
Beyond the three open ARC properties, we operate Chili Bar River Park in partnership with El Dorado County, and we have transferred over 10,000 acres of protected land to BLM management — including Cronan Ranch, Norton Ravine, Magnolia Ranch, and Kanaka Valley. The work doesn't stop at the deed.
- Cronan Ranch (BLM)
- Norton Ravine (BLM)
- Magnolia Ranch (BLM)
- Kanaka Valley (BLM)
The acquisition framework
How a parcel goes from for-sale to forever.
Every project has the same shape — a willing seller, a long capital stack, and a stewardship plan that begins the day we close.
Willing seller
We do not pursue eminent domain. Every acquisition begins with a landowner who chooses conservation as the future for their land.
Funding stack
Wildlife Conservation Board, CA Natural Resources Agency, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, federal partners, and donor capital — assembled deal by deal.
Stewardship plan
Restoration, fire-resilience, recreation access, partnerships with BLM, CDFW, and tribal liaisons — built before close, executed for life.
Landowners
Thinking about protecting your land?
Every landowner has a unique story about their property and why they made the decision to pursue conservation. We can talk through easements, donations, sales, and partnership options. Marshall Gorham takes those calls.