Tuleyome, a local not-for-profit corporation based in Woodland, California, recently purchased the Ireland Ranch from the Ireland family, who are fifth generation Yolo County residents. The 640-acre ranch is located in the Blue Ridge abutting 9100 acres of public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management as the Berryessa Peak unit. The Blue Ridge, a section of the inner coast range in western Yolo County, runs northwest from Putah Creek to Cache Creek.

The Blue Ridge is a dynamic result of plate tectonic forces that steeply uplifted sandstone and shale rock layers creating beautiful interior valleys, creeks and springs. Oak woodlands, gray pine woodlands, chaparral, riparian habitat, and grasslands are the dominant habitat types and mountain lion, black bear, deer, bobcats, eagles and falcons make their home in the mountain range. The ranch forms the headwaters for Enos, Salt and Pine Creeks and includes the location of the historic Scott homestead.

Tuleyome is working to protect both the wild heritage and the agricultural heritage in the Putah and Cache Creek watersheds for existing and future generations. The Blue Ridge Conservancy is a Tuleyome land trust project that operates to conserve lands in western Yolo County.

“We intend to participate in regional decisions as land owners and stakeholders to fulfill our dual mission,” commented Debra Chase, Tuleyome’s Executive Director. “Current land uses will continue while we develop a management plan, and we hope to be friends and good neighbors with other Blue Ridge landowners.” The Ireland Ranch is currently grazed and seeking organic certification.

“One of our first tasks,” added Chase, “is to develop a management plan for the ranch to address conservation, agricultural, cultural and recreational issues. The Ranch and the region offer important and unique educational and recreational opportunities as well as a place for unique scientific studies that we look forward to developing.”

If you are interested in learning more about Tuleyome and the Ireland Ranch contact Debra Chase at 530-350-2599 or email dchase@tuleyome.org.