Located in the central Sierra Nevada foothills, this 666-acre reserve combines unusual soils (Gabbro complex) and mediterranean climate to support three distinct biotic communities: chamise chaparral, foothill woodland, and Ponderosa pine forest. The unique soil type also supports a number of rare plant species such as the Pine Hill flannel bush, Pine Hill ceanothus, Layne’s butterweed, El Dorado mule ears, and El Dorado bedstraw. The property was designated as an ecological reserve by the Fish and Game Commission in 1979, and is managed under a cooperative agreement among nine federal, state, and county agencies.
For more information, call the North Central Region Rancho Cordova office at (916) 358-2900.