For Immediate UseContact: Garrison Frost
June 11, 2008(323) 951-9620

Surprise Valley, Calif. – As part of its work to protect California’s Important Bird Areas, Audubon California recently teamed up with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to place a conservation easement over 190 acres of wet meadows and riparian habitat on the Sheppard-Nardella ranch in Surprise Valley – located in the extreme northeastern corner of California, bordering Oregon and Nevada.

“The Sheppard-Nardella Ranch holds beautiful native meadows that make Surprise Valley so important for Sandhill Cranes, Long-billed Curlews and other bird species,” said Graham Chisholm, Audubon California’s director of conservation. “Sophie Sheppard and Lynn Nardella exemplify the type of private land stewardship that is so important to maintaining our wildlife.”

Despite its remoteness, Surprise Valley is beginning to see the type of rural subdivision that is much more common in other parts of the state, and this could pose a significant threat to these important habitat areas in the coming decades. Audubon California is interested in working with NRCS and private landowners to place conservation easements on wetlands to prevent this loss. The valley’s farmers and ranchers will play a key role in this preservation effort.

The NRCS Wetland Reserve Program conservation easement will protect the Sheppard-Nardella Ranch’s wetlands, and the owners have agreed to work with NRCS and Audubon to restore native willows and other vegetation to enhance the property’s values for birds and other wildlife. Audubon California has been able to leverage a modest investment of staff time and private funding to secure an additional $180,000 from the NRCS to complete this project.

Sheppard and Naredella sought conservation easement options due to the impressive Sandhill Crane population on the property. Their wet meadows supported three active nests last spring.

“We’re delighted to partner with Audubon California in preserving Surprise Valley,” said Sophie Sheppard. In addition to cranes, Sheppard’s Icelandic sheep live on the ranch, and they harvest their meadow grass for hay. “It’s pretty much heaven up here,” Sheppard added.

The Sheppard-Nardella ranch is located in Surprise Valley, an 80-mile long valley on the east side of the Warner Mountains. The property includes three large lakes – Lower Alkali, Middle Alkali and Upper Alkali. To the west, the site includes juniper and Jeffery pine forest sloping down into extensive agricultural lands as well as a series of creeks and springs. The valley’s east side encompasses extensive sagebrush flats and private agricultural lands, which provide important habitat for numerous bird species.

Surprise Valley has ranked as a globally significant Important Bird Areas. It is home to a high diversity of bird species, including a large number of raptors, including Prairie Falcon, Swainson’s Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, Golden Eagle, and Bald Eagle. In addition, the valley’s agricultural lands provide habitat for breeding Long-billed Curlew, Willet, Wilson’s Phalarope, Black Tern and, of course, Sandhill Crane.

About Audubon California

Audubon California is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitat that supports them. With more than 50,000 members in California and an affiliated 48 local Audubon chapters, Audubon California is a field program of Audubon. This relationship links Audubon California to a national network of community-based nature centers and chapters, scientific and educational programs, and advocacy on behalf of areas sustaining important bird populations, engaging millions of people of all ages and backgrounds in conservation.

More information is available at www.ca.audubon.org.