The Wildlands Conservancy (TWC) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to preserve land for public recreation. It operates 23 preserves in California and Oregon. The preserve system comprises 210,686 acres including mountains, valleys, deserts, rivers and oceanfront lands. TWC buys land, restores land, builds public visitor facilities and provides outdoor education programs for children. All usage (hiking, camping, education programs) is free of charge. There are over 1 million visitors annually.
Preserve System Summary
History
The
California Desert Protection Act of 1994
The California Desert Protection Act of 1994 is a federal law () sponsored by Senator Dianne Feinstein, passed by the United States Congress on October 8, 1994, and signed into effect by President Bill Clinton on October 31 of the same year, that ...
established two national parks, one national preserve and 69 wilderness areas. Significant private inholdings existed within these public lands.
In 1995, TWC acquired a 25,500 acre inholding of San Gorgonio Wilderness and created Pioneertown Mountains Preserve.
In 1998, most private inholdings within the California desert preserves were put up for sale. TWC launched a campaign to preserve this land. From 1999-2003 TWC acquired 646,000 acres of these inholdings and gifted it to government agencies.
From 1995 to 2000, TWC created preserves in Southern California. These preserves are located in the San Bernardino Mountains, nearby desert canyons and the southern central valley.
In 2005 TWC acquired a historic trout hatchery, restored the land, and created Whitewater Preserve providing access to San Gorgonio Wilderness.
From 2005 to 2009, TWC expanded into Northern California creating preserves along the Eel River and Sonoma Coast.
The
California Desert Protection Act of 2010 The California Desert Protection Act of 2010 (S.2921, 111th Congress) was legislation proposed by U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein. The stated aim of the legislation was "to provide for conservation, enhanced recreation opportunities, and development ...
extended desert preservation.
In 2016, President Obama designated
Sand to Snow National Monument
Sand to Snow National Monument is a U.S. National Monument located in San Bernardino County and northern Riverside County, Southern California.
It protects diverse montane and desert habitats of the San Bernardino Mountains, southern Mojave Deser ...
,
Mojave Trails National Monument
Mojave Trails National Monument is a large U.S. National Monument located in the state of California between Interstates 15 and 40. It partially surrounds the Mojave National Preserve. It was designated by President Barack Obama on February 12, ...