Sierra Nevada Journeys Receives 1,025 Acres of Protected Land from Feather River Land Trust
Doubling its Outdoor Education Camp and Expanding Conservation in the Northern Sierra
The Feather River Land Trust and Sierra Nevada Journeys, a leading outdoor science education nonprofit serving youth across Northern California and Northern Nevada, announced today a transformative conservation milestone: the permanent protection of 1,025 acres of forest, meadow, and wildlife habitat in Plumas County.
The newly conserved acreage more than doubles Sierra Nevada Journeys’ existing 469-acre Outdoor Education Camp — creating one of the largest youth-centered educational landscapes in the Northern Sierra.
Feather River Land Trust acquired this scenic and biodiverse landscape — valued at $2.5 million — to safeguard it from development and ensure long-term benefit for future generations. After assessing the land’s ideal fit for outdoor learning and Sierra Nevada Journey’s capacity to care for its ecological health, Feather River Land Trust and Sierra Nevada Journeys agreed to partner on this momentous land transfer. Feather River Land Trust holds a conservation easement on the property, permanently protecting its conservation values.
Each year, more than 10,000 students and families participate in hands-on outdoor science learning at Sierra Nevada Journeys Outdoor Education Camp, with fifth- and sixth-grade students traveling by bus with their schools from across the region — from the Bay Area and Central Valley to the Greater Sacramento Region and Northern Nevada.
“Conserving ecologically important lands in the Feather River region and connecting kids to nature is core to our mission,” said Corey Pargee, Feather River Land Trust’s Executive Director. “This property features outstanding wildlife habitat, springs, and Feather River tributaries, and we’re thrilled it will remain intact and be a place for kids to learn and explore. We’d like to thank the California Wildlife Conservation Board, the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), and our many supporters for providing the funding that made this acquisition possible."
For Sierra Nevada Journeys, this land transfer represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to expand access to nature for underserved youth while advancing forest health, climate resilience, and environmental stewardship.
“This is far more than a land transaction — it’s an investment in our children and the landscapes they will inherit,” said Sean Hill, President and CEO of Sierra Nevada Journeys. “As we approach our 20th anniversary, this expansion allows us to reimagine what’s possible for hands-on, outdoor science learning in the Sierra. We’re deeply grateful for our partnership with the Feather River Land Trust, which ensures the permanent protection of an iconic Sierra landscape while opening extraordinary new opportunities for students.”
The 469-acre Camp, built in 2003, and the adjoining 1,025 acres were originally owned by Sierra Health Foundation — a private philanthropy investing in partnership and programs that improve health, racial equality, and racial justice in Northern California — as a fully accessible camp for youth. For the past 15 years (since 2010), Sierra Nevada Journeys has brought students to camp for outdoor school and hosted a variety of community partners for leadership and youth development programs.
“This gift significantly expands Sierra Nevada Journeys’ ‘living classroom,’ where students engage in science, explore how ecosystems function, and learn about climate resilience firsthand,” said Joe Schofield, Chair of the Sierra Nevada Journeys Board of Trustees. “With a clear long-term vision and a strong foundation, Sierra Nevada Journeys is excited about this next chapter of growth for our organization and new partnership opportunities. This land is a major milestone in ensuring our mission — and our impact — will flourish for generations.”
Sierra Nevada Journeys and Feather River Land Trust are planning a day hike and celebration (register below) of the new property in early spring, after the winter snow melts. Both Sierra Nevada Journeys and Feather River Land Trust are nonprofit organizations supported by dedicated donors and community partners.
In the months ahead, we’ll be sharing more about how this land will support expanded programs, deeper stewardship, and new ways for our community to get involved. If this news inspires you, we invite you to learn more, volunteer, or support what comes next—however feels meaningful to you.
About Feather River Land Trust
Feather River Land Trust (FRLT) is a nonprofit organization conserving ecologically and culturally important lands and waters in the Feather River Watershed — the Sierra Nevada’s largest watershed and a source of drinking water for 27 million people. Together with willing landowners, FRLT protects clean water, wildlife habitat, open space, and beloved community places. Since 2000, FRLT has conserved more than 100,000 acres of critical headwaters and habitats in the region. Beyond protecting land, FRLT is committed to restoring people’s relationship to land and getting kids in nature.
Learning Landscapes is FRLT’s local place-based conservation and education program that connects K-12 school students to natural areas and hands-on learning opportunities at “outdoor classrooms” within a short walk of school. FRLT owns and manages five nature preserves, ensuring public access to beautiful places, including the recently opened Nature Center at the Sierra Valley Preserve. Learn more about FRLT’s work.
About Sierra Nevada Journeys
Founded in 2006, Sierra Nevada Journeys is a leading outdoor science education nonprofit serving more than 30,000 youth annually across Northern Nevada and Northern California.
Adjacent to the newly gifted land is Sierra Nevada Journeys’ 469-acre Outdoor Education Camp, purchased in 2020 through a $5.57 million capital campaign. The property includes a ¾-acre pond and creek system, a 40-element challenge course, including an alpine tower and zipline, an archery range, and basketball and volleyball courts.
There are 26 buildings — among them a lodge, 16 cabins, four yurts, an administration building, two outdoor amphitheaters, and an aquatics center — with modern facilities that can accommodate 240 campers. Located in Plumas National Forest, the camp is just 50 minutes northwest of Reno and two hours east of Sacramento. Most of the students who participate in Sierra Nevada Journeys’ programs come from high-need communities across Northern Nevada and Northern California.
About the Property
Size: 1,025-acre land gift; Sierra Nevada Journeys increases from 469 acres to 1,494 after the gift.
Features: The land is part of the Big Grizzly Creek Corridor, which connects Lake Davis and the Wild and Scenic Middle Fork Feather River, a critical source of water to the State Water Project serving downstream agriculture and drinking water to millions of Americans.
The newly conserved land includes multiple perennial springs and 1.2 miles along the west side of the creek and provides important wildlife habitat with high-quality forage and shelter for mule deer.
It is home to more than 100 bird and animal species that live, breed, or migrate through the property including: sandhill cranes, flammulated owls, martens, screech owls, barn owls, great horned owls, bald eagles, bats, river otters, mink, mountain lions, bobcats, black bears, osprey and the willow flycatcher, which is a California-listed endangered species.
Community Impact
The open space of this beautiful landscape offers vistas along the Feather River Scenic Byway, adjacent to the City of Portola. Sierra Nevada Journey will be working actively to manage the property for prevention and forest health, providing important fuel breaks and mitigating the risk of wildfire in this mountain community.
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I’m Interested in attending the day hike and celebration of the new property this spring.
