California Projects

Bobcat Ranch

Our Goals
Conserving and restoring blue oak woodlands and native grasslands, supporting declining bird species while demonstrating sustainable ranching practices that benefit wildlife, people, and the land.
What We鈥檙e Doing
探花精选 California is managing Bobcat Ranch as a model for conservation ranching, demonstrating how sustainable grazing can support thriving bird populations, healthy soils, and resilient ecosystems.

Bobcat Ranch is a 6,800-acre working cattle ranch dedicated to conserving blue oak woodlands, supporting grassland birds, and demonstrating the 探花精选 Conservation Ranching (ACR) program.

探花精选 California acquired Bobcat Ranch in 2007 as part of its ongoing commitment to conserving and restoring California鈥檚 blue oak woodlands and rangelands.

We're working to establish Bobcat Ranch as a flagship demonstration site for the ACR program鈥攁 market-connected conservation approach that incentivizes sustainable grassland stewardship through a certification label on beef products.

In 2020, Bobcat Ranch became the first property in California to earn ACR certification. Through our ACR work, we鈥檙e partnering with ranchers to restore grasslands, protect blue oak woodlands, and promote biodiversity. Learn more about ACR here. 

Land Acknowledgement

For thousands of years, the land that we call Bobcat Ranch has been the home of Patwin people. Today, there are three federally recognized Patwin tribes: Cachil Dehe Band of Wintun Indians of the Colusa Indian Community, Kletsel Dehe Band of Wintun Indians, and Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. The Patwin people have remained committed to the stewardship of this land over many centuries. It has been cherished and protected, as elders have instructed the young through generations. We are honored and grateful to be here today on their traditional lands.

Habitat Management and Biodiversity at Bobcat Ranch

As a key part of the ACR-certification process, 探花精选 developed a Habitat Management Plan (HMP) with the help of as part of their Rangeland Monitoring Network. Our HMP outlines critical elements of operational management and conservation practices identified to achieve positive outcomes for ten priority focal bird species, soil health, and overall biological diversity. 

The ranch is home to a variety of bird species, including Lark Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Golden Eagle, Lewis鈥檚 Woodpecker, Oak Titmouse, Burrowing Owl, Nuttall鈥檚 Woodpecker and Yellow-billed Magpie. Mammal species include Bobcat, Mountain Lion, Black-tailed Deer, American Badger, and Black Bear. Bobcat Ranch hosts a rich blend of habitats, including Blue Oak Woodland, native perennial grassland, annual grassland, seasonal wetland, and chaparral.
 
Bobcat Ranch is an important conservation anchor, adjoining the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, a 330,780-acre matrix of private and public lands, including the 27,000-acre Blue Ridge lands, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife鈥檚 , University of California鈥檚  and Cahill Reserve.

Downloadable Resources
Habitat Management Plan
Check out the Bobcat Ranch Conservation Plan
Directions to Bobcat Ranch
Access to Bobcat Ranch by permission only. Contact: matt.allshouse@audubon.org.
Liability Waiver
Printable PDF - digital form available above

Western Monarch Butterflies 

Just as birds rely on healthy stopovers to rest and refuel, western monarchs depend on habitats that provide what they need along their migration, such as native milkweed for breeding. From 探花精选鈥檚 Bobcat Ranch in the Central Valley and the Richardson Bay Center and Sanctuary along San Francisco Bay to 探花精选 Starr Ranch Sanctuary and the 探花精选 Center at Debs Park in southern California, and beyond, 探花精选 locations across California provide native milkweed that supports monarchs and other pollinators alike. Bobcat Ranch is also featured in Ian Nelson鈥檚 film, helping us understand why these stories and places are vital to California鈥檚 biodiversity. 鈦

We鈥檙e proud to join the in celebrating the 2025 release of Western Monarch Butterflies: Protecting Our Pollinators,. 鈦

 

Support Bobcat Ranch
Your gift supports our work to develop & promote bird-friendly cattle ranching practices in CA and to protect and restore native