Area: 160 Acres
Location: Solano County, CA
Date Acquired: 2005
Acquisition Type: CNLM does not own the preserve, but we do hold a conservation easement to protect imperiled species and habitats that exist on the preserve in perpetuity.
Key Habitats: California Annual and Perennial Grassland and Vernal Pool.
Species of Special Interest to CNLM: Vernal pool tadpole shrimp (Lepidurus packardi), Vernal pool fairy shrimp (Branchinecta lynchi), Midvalley fairy shrimp (Branchinecta mesovallensis), Northwestern pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata marmorata) and Dwarf downingia (Downingia pusilla).
Introduction
The Center for Natural Lands Management holds a conservation easement on this 160 acre Preserve. CNLM accepted the easement in 2005.
Conservation Significance
The Campbell Ranch Preserve is owned by Campbell Ranch, a California Corporation. The property lies 12 miles south of Dixon and 6 miles east of Travis Air Force Base in Solano County, California. The Preserve is located adjacent to several other nature preserves including Jepson Prairie Preserve, a 1566-acre Reserve owned by the Solano Land Trust and managed (in part) by the University of California’s Natural Reserve System, and a parcel owned and managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).
Approximately 19 acres of the Campbell Ranch Preserve contain claypan vernal pools and alkali swales. Stalked popcorn flower (Plagiobothrys stipitatus var. micranthus) and Fremont’s goldfields (Lasthenia fremontii) are the dominant plants in the pools, while the annual California plantain (Plantago erecta) and alkali plagiobothrys (Plagiobothrys leptocladus) are dominant in the swales. Another important 
feature of the site is Barker Slough, which crosses the northern portion of the Preserve, and contains perennial marsh habitat. Native perennial grassland occurs in patches in the uplands.
Several sensitive plant and animal species are found on the Preserve. Tadpole shrimp (Lepidurus packardi) and vernal pool fairy shrimp (Branchinecta lynchi), both federally-listed, are found in the vernal pools. Other sensitive species that occur on the site include mid-valley fairy shrimp (Branchinecta mesovallensis), northwestern pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata), and dwarf downingia (Downingia pusilla). The proximity of the property to other local preserves further helps protect contiguous habitats in this area.
Our Work
The landowners are responsible for management of the Preserve. The primary management goal is to protect and enhance populations of the federally listed invertebrates as well as to increase native plants of the uplands areas and in the vernal pools. Grazing is the primary vegetation management goal utilized on the property. CNLM’s primary goal is to monitor, enforce, and defend the conservation easement, ensuring that the sensitive habitats and species are protected in perpetuity.
Public Access
Due to the vulnerability of the species and habitats that exist on this preserve, it is not open to the public.
For information regarding mitigation bank credits, contact Buel Campbell at 707.249.5704.
Contact
For information and inquiries regarding Campbell Ranch, please contact Regional Preserve Manager, Cathy Little at clittle@cnlm.org or 760.731.7790 extension 209.