I am proud that Placer County has received recognition from the State of California for our outstanding program of conservation, Placer Legacy.
It is my honor that I have been involved in the conceptulazation of Placer Legacy and that I have been its advocate since formation.
I know that you agree with me that we must balance the growth needs of our county with our desire to maintain the beauty and quality of our lives here in Placer County.

Land Acquisition
Since Placer Legacy was conceived, 2,400 acres of land have been protected throughout the county. The most recent is our crown jewel, Hidden Falls Regional Park, a 220-acre county park that features seven miles of hiking trails, scenic blue oak woodlands and eye-catching waterfalls. Adjacent to Hidden Falls is a 961-acre property the county also acquired through Placer Legacy. The county plans to eventually combine the two properties to create one park covering almost 1,200 acres for the public to enjoy. 

Planning and Restoration
More than $1 million in grant funding has been secured to assist with important planning activities associated with Placer Legacy.  For the most part, they focus on restoring ecosystems in local watersheds and developing “” corridors that cross jurisdictional boundaries". 

Background
In 1994, the Board of Supervisors updated the Placer County General Plan.  Since 1973, state law has required general plans to contain sections that address how open space resources can be conserved.  Placer Legacy was created to implement the open space and conservation policies of our General Plan by meeting a number of objectives:  

• Maintaining a viable agricultural economy
  
• Conserving natural resources that offer outdoor recreation opportunities
  
• Retaining important scenic and historic areas
  
• Preserving the diversity of plant and animal communities
  
• Protecting endangered and other special-status plant and animal species
  
• Separating urban areas into distinct communities
  
• Ensuring public safety
  

Next Steps
Several Placer Legacy projects are in the works this year. The list includes:

• Continuing to work on the proposed Placer County Conservation Plan
  
• Providing technical assistance to other organizations interested in acquiring blue oak woodlands so they can be preserved
  
• Making additional park improvements at Hidden falls
  
• Coordinating with the Nevada Irrigation District on a fish-passage project on Auburn Ravine
  
• Working with landowners to implement a Rock Creek Restoration Plan
  

View a summary of the Placer Legacy Program, a PDF Document 

 For more information, please visit the county Placer Legacy Website.