Significant stream habitat added to King Range National Conservation Area
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ARCATA, Calif. — The King Range National Conservation Area on the California North Coast now includes 80 additional acres of important stream and forest habitat, following the Bureau of Land Management’s acquisition of lands near the community of Whitethorn with funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
The newly acquired property includes a quarter mile of Bridge Creek, a tributary stream to the Mattole River. Along with the Mattole, Bridge Creek provides essential spawning habitat for salmon populations, which contribute to the popular fishery in Humboldt County. The property is near Shelter Cove Road about two miles from the BLM’s King Range office.
“This parcel provides us with important access for projects to improve habitats for salmon,” said Collin Ewing, manager of the BLM Arcata Field Office. “In addition, there is a house on the property that will provide opportunities for public events and housing for BLM staff and volunteers working in the King Range.”
The BLM acquired the parcel from non-profit partner The Conservation Fund, which worked with a local landowner interested in conservation.
“This effort supports the Biden-Harris administration's America the Beautiful initiative and locally led conservation efforts.” said BLM State Director Karen Mouritsen. “The BLM is proud to partner with The Conservation Fund on this collaborative effort to expand public access and conservation of critical habitat.”
"The Conservation Fund is pleased to have worked with the BLM to bring these lands into public ownership and expand the King Range National Conservation Area,” said Ben Fryer, the Fund’s Northern California project manager. “This type of project is exactly what our organization was built for and aligns with our mission of land and water conservation.”
The King Range National Conservation Area encompasses 68,000 acres of public land including 35 miles along the Pacific coast. The area provides recreation opportunities such as hiking, mountain biking, camping, and backpacking, and extraordinary opportunities for solitude in a designated Wilderness Area. Information on the King Range, including recreational opportunities, trip planning, and safety information, is available here: https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/california/king-range-national-conservation-area.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.