North Fork Feather River Headwaters

The Feather River watershed, the largest in the Sierra Nevada, is an enormous forested landscape that provides water to 65% of California’s population. When European settlers arrived in the mid-19th century, the new residents established ranches and outposts in the beautiful, rich bottomlands known today as the headwater valleys: Sierra Valley, Genesee Valley, Clover Valley, Indian Valley, Tásmam Koyóm, Mountain Meadows, Last Chance Meadows and others. Most of the surrounding forests and mountains were not claimed and were eventually incorporated into the Plumas National Forest.

One of NSP’s top priorities within the Feather River watershed is to protect sensitive meadows, wetlands and riparian areas in the valleys of the North Fork Feather River Headwaters, areas that are particularly important for wildlife and for their role in maintaining upstream water quality for the people of California. Unfortunately, the outstanding beauty of these valleys also makes them extremely attractive to homebuilders.

NSP and its partners have worked to protect thousands of acres in the North Fork Feather River Headwaters including the Goodwin Ranch in Clover Valley (private), the Matley Ranch in Last Chance Meadows (private), the Pearce Ranch in Indian Valley (private) and Heart K Ranch in Genesee Valley. Most of these ranches abut federal lands. Their preservation ensures enhanced protection for streams, wetlands, riparian areas and meadows, allows for the free movement of wildlife across the landscape, from the forested uplands to lower elevation meadowlands, and supports the ranching economy in the Feather River watershed.