Sierra Nevada Journeys Receives 1,025-Acres of Protected Land, Doubling its Outdoor Education Camp and Expanding Conservation in the Northern Sierra

The Feather River Land Trust and Sierra Nevada Journeys, announced 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 Journeys’ capacity to care for its ecological health, the two organizations 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.

“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. “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.”

This gift significantly expands Sierra Nevada Journeys’ “living classroom,” where students engage in science, explore how ecosystems function, and learn about climate resilience firsthand.