Kester Bear Valley Ranch & Jacalitos Ranch

In 2003, 16,381 acres were conserved on three ranches straddling the Monterey and Fresno County lines. The Kester’s Bear Valley Ranches and Jacalitos Ranch conservation agreements are three cornerstone properties to our Parkfield area conservation project, which also includes the V6 Ranch in Parkfield. In addition to their strategic location at the center of one of the most productive grazing regions in the state, the Bear Valley and Jacalitos Ranches are a key part of a biologically rich region that marks the intersection of the Central Valley ecosystem with that of the Coast Range. This area is home to an unusually wide variety of native flora and fauna including the protected California red-legged frog, western pond turtle, San Joaquin kit fox, and the majestic Golden Eagle. Other species include blacktail deer, mountain lions, coyotes, wild pigs, and the occasional bear. Oak and pine woodland habitats dominate the region. Major contributors to this project include the Wildlife Conservation Board, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.