170-year-old California cattle ranch sold for $15.5m, will open to public

A 170-year-old cattle ranch in Northern California has been purchased for $15.5 million, with the proceeds going towards turning the land into a public preserve. The Wildlands Conservancy, a conservation organization, plans to combine this 14,177-acre property with an existing 6,094-acre preserve, creating a 20,000-acre public land area in Siskiyou County.

The ranch, known as the AP Ranch, was originally founded by Alexander Parker in 1856 and has been privately owned for the past 170 years. The Newton family, who bought the property in 1961, ran it as a cow-calf operation with space for around 500 mother cows. Located near Gazelle in rural western Siskiyou County, the ranch boasts diverse terrain, including Lover's Leap peak, elevations ranging from 3,600 to 5,400 feet, and is surrounded by the Marble Mountain Wilderness and Klamath National Forest.

The purchase is not only significant due to the ranch's historical value but also because of its ecological importance. The property encompasses the headwaters of the East Fork of the Scott River, which provides crucial spawning habitat for various species of salmon and trout. Additionally, the conservancy plans to protect water rights on the East Fork and two alpine lakes, contributing to the preservation of water flows during the summer months.

The expanded preserve will also serve as a vital habitat for native species such as Roosevelt elk, Columbia blacktail deer, black bears, mountain lions, wild turkeys, and American goshawks, as well as the growing range of California's recovering gray wolf packs. Conservation efforts will focus on restoring habitats and supporting native wildlife.

The Wildlands Conservancy, which already operates the largest private preserve system in California, will gradually phase out commercial operations and develop facilities for public use, including hiking, wildlife watching, and educational trips for local schools. The new preserve will offer free public access and winter activities like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, with views towards Mount Shasta from its higher elevations.

Fundraising efforts are currently underway to cover the $15.5 million purchase price and support long-term management, trail building, and habitat restoration across the newly protected landscape.