SHUTAMUL BEAR RIVER PRESERVE, AUBURN

40 ACRES OF WILDERNESS ON THE BEAR RIVER

In late 2005 and early 2006, Placer Land Trust acquired 40 acres of beautiful wild and scenic land along the Bear River north of Auburn - the first completed project of PLT's Bear River Watershed Protection Program.

PLT purchased the property from Mark and Eileen Wheeler of Roseville, using grant funds from two private foundations. The property was named the "Shutamul Bear River Preserve" after the name of a historic Nisenan village that was located on the Bear River downstream from the property.

The Bear River flows along two sides of the property, moving from a gradual slope into a steep rocky gorge. The riverbank hosts a vibrant riparian corridor of trees and shrubs, and the uplands are dominated by blue oak woodlands. A huge variety of terrestrial and acquatic wildlife call the property home. Aside from an unimproved dirt access road, the property is relatively untouched by man - a prime example of the dwindling wilderness left in Placer County. In addition to its natural values, the Preserve also contains archealogical sites dating to the Gold Rush, Nisenan times, and (perhaps) even earlier.

In July 2006, the Shutamul Bear River Preserve was the site of a traditional Nisenan blessing performed by Rick Adams of the Shingle Springs Maidu Reservation. Members of three local Native American tribes and supporters of PLT's land conservation efforts were on hand to dedicate the Preserve.

The mission of PLT's Bear River Watershed Protection Program is to work with willing landowners and other conservation groups in a watershed-based approach to land conservation along the Bear River. The Bear River watershed contains some of the last roadless wilderness in Placer County.

To return to the list of Placer Land Trust lands preserved, click here.

Placer Land Trust 11521 Blocker Drive, Suite 100 Auburn, CA 95603 (530) 887-9222 info@placerlandtrust.org

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