In 2012, Bear Yuba Land Trust was approved to receive a grant from the CalTrans Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program to acquire this “highly sensitive” 50 acres. Black Swan Perserve is a rich matrix of riparian habitat, blue oak-foothill pine woodlands, and great groundwater-fed ponds near the confluence of Deer Creek and the Lower Yuba River, on the border of Nevada and Yuba counties.

The property is now home to a rich variety of wildlife, birds and the Western pond turtle, a species of special of concern. Common tree species include gray pine (Pinus sabiniana) and blue oak (Quercus douglasii). Shrubs include buck brush (Ceanothus cuneatus) and silver bush lupine (Lupinus albifrons). Interesting forbs found near the pond include umbrella sedge (Cyperus eragrostis) and duckweed (Lemna minor). The pond is critical habitat for the Western pond turtle(Actinemys marmorata), as well as bass (Moronidae family), an array of waterfowl including the American Dipper(Cinclus mexicanus) and Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon).

Observations of plants, animals, fungi and other organisms can be recorded and uploaded to the iNaturalist database; this data becomes a permanent record to help land managers track the health of plant and wildlife habitat over time.

Come out and explore the natural wonders of our community. No scientific knowledge is needed, just a willingness to contribute to the collection of habitat data as you wander through BYLT’s conserved land and appreciate all of nature’s abundance. less ↑