Area: 136.25 acres
Location: San Joaquin County, California
Date Acquired: 2015
Acquisition Type: CNLM holds a conservation easement to protect the imperiled species and their habitats on the preserve. The preserve is owned by a third party.
Key Habitats: California Annual and Perennial Grassland
Species of Special Interest to CNLM: California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense), California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) and San Joaquin Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica)
Introduction
The Connolly Ranch Preserve was established in 2015 as mitigation for utility projects. CNLM holds the conservation easement to protect the Preserve in perpetuity, conduct biological monitoring, and provide oversight to assist the owner with long-term Preserve management.
Conservation Significance
The Preserve is located within the rolling hills of the eastern Coast Range and set within a larger privately owned cattle ranch. The Preserve’s habitat consists of annual grassland typical of the area. There is a stock pond on site that remains inundated even in severe drought years that provides habitat for both California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) and California red-legged frog (Rana drayontii) and is free of non-native predatory fish and bullfrogs. The surrounding grasslands provide habitat for San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica).
Our Work
CNLM holds a conservation easement and is responsible for monitoring the management of the site for the benefit of California tiger salamander, California red-legged frog, and San Joaquin Kit Fox. Cattle grazing is used to maintain short-grass habitats that are essential for these species. Th
e purpose of the conservation easement is to help ensure that the property will be retained in perpetuity in open space condition and prevent any use of the property that will impair or interfere with conservation values of the Preserve.
Public Access
Due to the vulnerability of the species and habitats that exist on this preserve, it is not open to the public.
Contact
For more information about Connolly Ranch or Center for Natural Lands Management, please contact Amy Richey, Preserve Manager at arichey@cnlm.org or 760.731.7790 extension 227.