We did it! We protected 1,600 acres along the Tuolumne and San Joaquin Rivers. Now it's time to to return it back to nature.
In May of 2012 the Tuolumne River Trust celebrated the historic acquisition of the Dos Rios Ranch with our project collaborator and funders. This project was a 10-year effort and we couldn't have done it without the support of our members.
Now, in addition to celebrating, we're launching the next chapter: restoration.
Acquiring the land was a crucial first step, but the real benefits of protecting this land will come once we've restored the wildlife habitat, improved floodplains where salmon shelter and spawn, and create a natural sanctuary for this under-parked community.
Over the next year we'll begin restoration of the property with the help of hundreds of volunteers. So that we can get started, a group of our donors have come together and challenged us to raise $55,000 by December 31st, and they will match it dollar-for-dollar.
This means any donation you make today will go twice as far!
For over a decade, the Tuolumne River Trust has been working collaboratively with our project collaborator, project funders, and the former land owner to purchase Dos Rios Ranch - 1,600 acres of prime riverfront land (that's twice as big as Central Park in New York!) where the Tuolumne and San Joaquin Rivers meet. In May 2012 the acquisition of the land was completed.
Dos Rios Ranch is located where two very important rivers come together, is adjacent to the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge,and is located on the Pacific Flyway making it extremely ecologically important.
Starting next year, the Tuolumne River Trust and our project collaborator will restore the property creating a massive island of habitat for fish and wildlife and a place for friends and families to enjoy the outdoors.
How will my gift make a difference? With your help, we'll be able to begin restoration of this important property and revive the lower Tuolumne River. We'll start by:
Planting thousands of native trees, shrubs and grasses to re-create a lush riparian forest.
Tearing-down levees so the river can spread out into the floodplain during the spring runoff to create rich habitat where salmon and steelhead can thrive.
Planting valley oaks to create majestic groves that will last for hundreds of years.
Reintroducing wildlife like the endangered riparian brush rabbit and rare songbirds.
Together, we can create a sanctuary for fish, wildlife and our community.
