6,982 acre Pit River Tunnel Property Conserved

Shasta Land Trust is pleased to announce the permanent protection of 6,982 acres located along the Pit River near Montgomery Creek and Big Bend in northeastern Shasta County. The property comprises the largest conservation easement held by the Shasta Land Trust, and was protected in partnership with the Pacific Forest and Watershed Lands Stewardship Council, PG&E, and CAL FIRE. 

• The property will serve as a California State Demonstration Forest for CAL FIRE, and will be managed with regard to watershed protection, habitat restoration, climate change mitigation, and sustainable timber production.

• The land is the ancestral territory of the Pit River Tribe’s Madesi band, and contains numerous historical and archaeological sites of cultural significance. 

• The property protects a variety of habitats, including conifer forest, montane hardwood, oak woodlands, meadows, wetlands, and substantial portions of the Pit River. 

• Numerous wildlife species inhabit the property’s rich aquatic and forested habitats, including osprey, bald eagles, herons, belted kingfishers, rainbow trout, wild trout, and many aquatic and amphibian species. 

• The property protects scenic viewsheds along the Pit River, including dramatic canyons, meadows, a 139-foot waterfall, and forested land. 

• Recreational opportunities on the property include fly-fishing, swimming, and whitewater rafting, with a boat launch open to the public at the Madesi River Access site. 

We are incredibly excited to play a role in the protection of this vital property of Shasta County and the many benefits it will bring to our community!