Feather River Land Trust and Sierra Nevada Journeys, a leading outdoor science education nonprofit serving youth across Northern California and Northern Nevada, recently announced a transformative conservation milestone: the permanent protection of 1,025 acres of forest, meadow and wildlife habitat in Plumas County.
The newly conserved acreage more than doubles Sierra Nevada Journeys’ existing 469-acre Outdoor Education Camp — creating one of the largest youth-centered educational landscapes in the Northern Sierra.
Feather River Land Trust acquired this scenic and biodiverse landscape — valued at $2.5 million — to safeguard it from development and ensure long-term benefit for future generations, said organizers. After assessing the land’s ideal fit for outdoor learning and Sierra Nevada Journeys’ capacity to care for its ecological health, Feather River Land Trust and Sierra Nevada Journeys agreed to partner on the momentous land transfer. Feather River Land Trust holds a conservation easement on the property, permanently protecting its conservation values.
Each year, more than 10,000 students and families participate in hands-on outdoor science learning at Sierra Nevada Journeys Outdoor Education Camp. Fifth and sixth grade students travel by bus with their schools from across the region — including Twin Rivers, Sacramento City Unified, San Juan Unified, Natomas Unified, Natomas Unified and Elk Grove Unified school districts — to attend outdoor school.
“Conserving ecologically important lands in the Feather River region and connecting kids to nature is core to our mission,” said Corey Pargee, Feather River Land Trust’s executive director. “This property features outstanding wildlife habitat, springs and Feather River tributaries, and we’re thrilled it will remain intact and be a place for kids to learn and explore. We’d like to thank the California Wildlife Conservation Board, the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and our many supporters for providing the funding that made this acquisition possible.”
Sierra Nevada Journeys said this land transfer represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to expand access to nature for underserved youth while advancing forest health, climate resilience and environmental stewardship.
“This is far more than a land transaction — it’s an investment in our children and the landscapes they will inherit,” said Sean Hill, president and CEO of Sierra Nevada Journeys. “As we approach our 20th anniversary, this expansion allows us to reimagine what’s possible for hands-on, outdoor science learning in the Sierra. We’re deeply grateful for our partnership with the Feather River Land Trust, which ensures the permanent protection of an iconic Sierra landscape while opening extraordinary new opportunities for students.”
The 469-acre camp, built in 2003, along with the adjoining 1,025 acres, was originally owned by Sierra Health Foundation — a private philanthropy investing in partnership and programs that improve health, racial equality and racial justice in Northern California — as a fully accessible camp for youth. For the past 15 years, Sierra Nevada Journeys has brought students to camp for outdoor school and hosted a variety of community partners for leadership and youth development programs.
“This gift significantly expands Sierra Nevada Journeys’ ‘living classroom,’ where students engage in science, explore how ecosystems function and learn about climate resilience firsthand,” said Joe Schofield, chair of the Sierra Nevada Journeys Board of Trustees. “With a clear long-term vision and a strong foundation, Sierra Nevada Journeys is excited about this next chapter of growth for our organization and new partnership opportunities. This land is a major milestone in ensuring our mission — and our impact — will flourish for generations.”
Sierra Nevada Journeys and Feather River Land Trust are planning a day hike and celebration of the new property in early spring, after the winter snow melts. Both Sierra Nevada Journeys and Feather River Land Trust are nonprofit organizations supported by dedicated donors and community partners. More information about their work and opportunities to get involved is available at sierranevadajourneys.org and frlt.org.
About the property
With the 1,025-acre land gift, Sierra Nevada Journeys increases from 469 acres to 1,494.
The land is part of the Big Grizzly Creek Corridor, which connects Lake Davis and the Wild and Scenic Middle Fork Feather River, a critical source of water to the State Water Project serving downstream agriculture and drinking water to millions of Americans.
The newly conserved land includes multiple perennial springs and 1.2 miles along the west side of the creek and provides important wildlife habitat with high-quality forage and shelter for mule deer. It is home to more than 100 bird and animal species that live, breed or migrate through the property including
- Sandhill cranes
- Flammulated owls
- Martens
- Screech owls
- Barn owls
- Great horned owls
- Bald eagles
- Bats
- River otters
- Mink
- Mountain lions
- Bobcats
- Black bears
- Ospreys
- Willow flycatchers, listed as an endangered species in California
The open space of the landscape offers vistas along the Feather River Scenic Byway, adjacent to the city of Portola. Sierra Nevada Journeys said it will be working actively to manage the property for fire prevention and forest health, providing important fuel breaks and mitigating the risk of wildfire in this mountain community.
