Date: Monday, May 21, 2012 Source: KCRA.com Reporter: Leticia Ordaz; Janet O
UPDATED: 3:45 pm PDT May 21, 2012
Janet O/KCRA
STANISLAUS COUNTY, Calif. (KCRA) -- Dos Rios Ranch in Stanislaus County is a restoration project that includes six miles of riverbanks where the San Joaquin and Tuolumne rivers meet.
Two local nonprofit organizations -- The Tuolumne River Trust, and River Partners -- have been working with state and federal agencies to secure the land for the past decade.
Monday was the official celebration of the completion of the easement rights.
The nonprofits said over the next decade, they will work to restore the wetlands and habitat for wildlife.
Eventually, the area will be open to families and for recreational use.
Hundreds of plant and animal species exist in the area.
Dos Rios Ranch is also critical for water quality. It acts as a filtration system.
Officials are calling it one of the most important preservation projects in the Central Valley.
