Natural Habitat for Wildlife in Mayacamas Transferred to Regional Audubon

(ACR) announced today it has acquired the 1,620-acre Mayacamas Mountains Audubon Sanctuary in northern Sonoma and Lake Counties, from the National Audubon Society and Audubon California.

The Sanctuary is located above Alexander Valley, near Healdsburg, and part of 12,000 acres of habitat in the protected under regional conservation easements. It provides important habitat to an abundance of native animals and plants, including black bear, mountain lion, golden eagle, and numerous unique and sensitive species.

“This is a significant development for Audubon Canyon Ranch and we are appreciative that National Audubon Society and Audubon California selected us to assume the ongoing stewardship of the Sanctuary,” said ACR’s Executive Director Scott Feierabend.

Leveraging its extensive expertise in conservation science, habitat protection and restoration, ACR will monitor, restore and protect the natural systems of the Mayacamas Sanctuary in perpetuity to help to ensure clean air, clean water and healthy soils for the benefit of native animals and plants, and the local community.

 “We are thrilled to extend our expertise in habitat protection and restoration, and conservation science, further into the Mayacamas Mountains. ACR’s science team is intimately familiar with the region," said Feierabend.

Since 2009, ACR, a North Bay leader in conservation science, habitat protection and restoration, and nature education, has been involved in the management of the 1,750-acre Modini Ingalls Ecological Preserve, a parcel in the Mayacamas Mountains adjacent to the Mayacamas Mountains Audubon Sanctuary, which will become the eventual bequest of Jim and Shirley Modini to ACR.

The Mayacamas Mountains Audubon Sanctuary, combined with the Modini property, will enable ACR to permanently protect 3,370 acres of natural habitat in the Mayacamas Mountains for native wildlife and plant species to thrive.

Acquisition of the new Sanctuary expands ACR’s organizational footprint from Bolinas Lagoon and Tomales Bay along the Pacific Coast, to the wild and untrammeled reaches of the central Mayacamas Mountains in northern Sonoma and Lake Counties.

“With a 50-year proven record and deep expertise in protecting and restoring large landscapes as sanctuaries for native plants and animals, we selected ACR to ensure the Sanctuary will be wisely and thoughtfully managed in perpetuity for the benefit of the area’s wildlife,” said Dan Taylor, executive director, Audubon California.

ACR plans to collaborate with local organizations and agencies, including the SCAPOSD, Madrone Audubon Society, and others, in the management of this preserve.