The Wildlands Conservancy is buying the 14,177-acre AP Ranch near Callahan in Siskiyou County. This property dates back to 1856 and has been a family-run cattle ranch since 1961.
A recent $11.5 million state grant gave the conservancy the funds needed to complete the purchase. The deal should close by October 30.
Located in the Klamath Mountains, the ranch lies about nine miles east of Callahan in Scott Valley. The East Fork Scott River runs for eight miles through the property. The conservancy already owns the adjacent 6,000-acre Beaver Valley Headwaters Preserve. This purchase creates a connected area of more than 20,000 acres of meadows, forests, and river habitat.
The conservancy plans to open the land for hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities. They also aim to restore habitats for salmon species like coho and Chinook, along with steelhead, elk, deer, black bears, and mountain lions.
Protecting streamflow in the Scott River watershed ranks high on their agenda. This area serves as a key salmon nursery within the Klamath system. What impact will increased public access have on conservation efforts? The conservancy faces the task of balancing recreation with habitat protection. Your input could shape how this historic land evolves into a public resource.
