Land north of Roseville will be protected under the Placer County Conservation Program's Reserve System. Photo courtesy of Placer County

AUBURN, CA (MPG) - Approximately 235 acres of prime ranchlands, wildlife habitat and streams will now be protected north of Roseville.

The Placer Conservation Authority purchased the property in late 2025, adding the land acquisition to the Placer County Conservation Program’s Reserve System. The program has already conserved more than 9,000 acres of open space in Placer County, all of which will remain working ranchlands.

“Growth in West Placer is going to bring homes and jobs for our communities. The Placer County Conservation Program provides a roadmap that balances community growth with the conservation of more than 47,000 acres of wildlife habitat, rivers and streams, and ranchlands in Placer County,” Placer Conservation Authority executive director Gregg McKenzie said. 

The newly acquired land includes a portion of Pleasant Grove Creek and vernal pools and seasonal wetlands that are home to rare wildlife species, including vernal pool fairy shrimp and Swainson’s hawk. 

The property will continue to be grazed by cattle, which helps reduce wildfire risk and invasive grasses that choke vernal pools and wetlands. The Placer Conservation Authority plans to work with partners to restore vernal pools and wetlands on the southern portion of the property, which was previously used for farming.  

“Vernal pools and wetlands help restore our groundwater resources and provide resting locations for migratory birds. By conserving and restoring these connected pieces of land, the Placer County Conservation Program helps protect our clean air and water, unique wildlife and open spaces for generations to come,” McKenzie said.

The land, just off South Brewer Road, connects to 1,400 acres of additional land conserved in unincorporated Placer County. It is also adjacent to open space managed by the City of Roseville.

The property was dedicated to the Placer Conservation Authority by Brookfield Sunset LLC to partially compensate for the impacts to wildlife and habitat during the construction of the Amoruso Ranch Community in Roseville. 

The Placer Conservation Authority Board approved a development fee credit of $3,160,350 to Brookfield in exchange for the land. Brookfield also paid additional fees for the Amoruso Ranch Community project, which will support the Placer County Conservation Program in managing and restoring conserved lands for years to come. The Placer Conservation Authority closed escrow on the property Nov. 13.

The entire property will be protected from development, and will be used for cattle grazing and to protect species habitat in perpetuity. 

For more information on the Placer County Conservation Program, visit https://www.placer.ca.gov/3362/Placer-County-Conservation-Program.