ARC’s Resilience Reserve
Restricted Donations for ARC Restoration and Stewardship Projects

Through this reserve of funds, American River Conservancy (ARC) fosters a more resilient future for the American River and Cosumnes River watersheds.  By investing in environmental restoration and stewardship, donors help to maintain sustainable and vibrant landscapes where people and nature can thrive.

Who is ARC?  Established in 1989, ARC is a non-profit land trust dedicated to the conservation and preservation of the American River and Cosumnes River watersheds.  ARC has acquired and protected over 30,000 acres of land, including forests, meadows, wetlands, and rivers — in perpetuity.

Why is this funding needed?  ARC currently owns and manages over 15,000 acres.  As ARC’s protected acreage increases, so does the need for stewardship funding.  The purpose of this specific funding is to match the pace of the inevitable and unplanned expenses of land management every year.  Catastrophic wildfire, flooding, mudslides, and other natural disasters are increasingly common unplanned events that require more funding over time.

What is this fund used for?  This reserve helps to cover urgent and ongoing land management needs, including agile responses that cannot be paid for by grant funding.  More specifically, these restricted funds are used for the development, planning, and implementation of restoration and stewardship projects on ARC’s managed properties.  Expenditures may include materials, labor, and equipment for the repair, cleanup, and replacement of river access, trails, roads, culverts, gates, fencing, signage, debris, and other similar costs. 

What are some examples of immediate needs?  Significant flooding during recent years has resulted in severe damage to ARC’s properties. For instance, flooding at Chili Bar Park impacted the boat launch area, and a landslide at Lewis Ranch washed out the main road.  In such cases, it is critical to swiftly repair damages to maintain access for recreation, land management, and fire suppression.

What are the benefits?  The preservation of natural resources serves multiple benefits, including improved ecosystem health, enhanced recreational opportunities, and disaster recovery from fire and flood.  This reserve helps to maintain safe accessibility of ARC lands for staff, land stewards, guests, and the public.  By investing in the long-term health of landscapes, donors can ensure ARC’s protected land will provide a wide range of benefits to the community and the environment for generations to come.

Thank you for your support!

Questions?  Please reach out to [email protected].