Along the Valley floor between Three Sisters Summit and Walker Ridge in Colusa County lies a 10-mile stretch of rangeland, otherwise known as the Bear Valley. This landscape is not visible by freeways or main thoroughfares, yet every spring thousands of people flock to the area to catch a glimpse of some of the best remaining panoramas of Northern California’s wildflowers.
According to the California Native Plant Society, the presence of magnesium-rich, calcium-deficient ultramafic rocks from the Ridge heavily shape the sediments found on the valley floor, undoubtedly enhancing the vibrant wildflower showcases. Boasting over 50 different species of flowers, Bear Valley has established a name for itself over the years through word of mouth, social media, and news stories. But these springtime super blooms have been around longer than many even realize thanks in part to the diligent stewardship of local, ranching families, like the Keegan family.
In 1880, the family moved to the Bear Valley and purchased 2,500 acres of rangeland. For over 140 years, they have shouldered the duty of manicuring their piece of this bountiful landscape, while also educating the public on their management practices.
A number of years ago, Jim Keegan, fourth-generation on the ranch, put in a wildflower access gate to their front pasture, which is one of the most wildflower-dense areas of the property and throughout the entire Valley. This allows the public first-hand access to walk amongst the flowers without letting the livestock out. Keegan joked, “People used to just go under the fence or leave gates open, so I put in the access gate. Now they can get in the field and connect with the landscape without leaving me with more work to do.”
During the springtime blooms, a small number of horses and cattle are usually left to roam the front pasture. As the livestock graze amongst the visitors, inevitably questions about any potential destruction to the colorful displays arise. Keegan often uses his knowledge as a multi-generational rancher to educate members of the public.
Livestock grazing has often been misunderstood, with many believing it harms the environment and biodiversity of the land. But when utilized properly, it is actually a key land management tool. When managed correctly, grazing helps maintains productive working lands and open space, reduces wildfire risks, controls invasive species, and enhances biodiversity. It also supports pollinator habitat, which is essential for food production. Over 100 U.S. crops, including watermelon, almonds, and avocados, depend on bees for pollination. Without cattle grazing to maintain wildflower-rich rangelands, like those found in Bear Valley, bee populations could be threatened, jeopardizing our nation’s food security.
To care for the land, Keegan employs seasonal and rotational grazing throughout the ranch. The cattle are strategically placed in certain pastures during specific times of the year to eat down the grass, which prevents overgrowth and fends off invasive species. This gives the wildflowers the opportunity to flourish come late-March to early-April.
“I think the flowers are a testament to the good that grazing does for the land,” he explained. “Most people think that the livestock are harming the flowers, but rather they are eating down the forage that the flowers are in competition with, helping to ensure the bloom.”
While the Keegans have proudly stewarded this spectacular landscape for generations, ensuring its future has also been a top priority for them.
“Over the years, I kept seeing more and more rangeland converted to other uses,” Keegan stated. “With the loss of so much pastureland to outside pressures, I wanted to safeguard our ranch, and these [conservation] easements were the best way I knew how to.”
In 2016, the Keegan family partnered with the California Rangeland Trust to conserve the 2,500-acre ranch through a conservation easement. This project marked the first conservation easement in California funded by the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Grasslands of Special Environmental Significance designation under its Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). After its completion, the family took their commitment a step further by conserving their second ranch in the Bear Valley, the Epperson Place Ranch, comprised of over 1,500 acres.
Thanks to the area’s rich biodiversity and the dedication of the local landowners, much of the land surrounding the Keegan Ranch has also been protected through conservation easements, ensuring the permanent protection of Bear Valley as whole. The Rangeland Trust alone has conserved over 20,000 acres across four ranches in the Valley, including the Keegans’ properties, the Bear Valley Ranch, and the Payne Ranch. By ensuring these lands will remain in ranching, it also guarantees that wildflowers will have a place to bloom, bees will have a place to thrive, and people will have a place to experience the intrinsic beauty of nature’s bounty forever.
“It means a great deal to me to know that my ranch and this valley is protected in perpetuity,” Keegan expressed. “This valley holds a special place in my heart, and I am just honored that my family is playing a small role in pulling the light switch on in sharing this place with all of you.”
For six generations the Keegan family has seen the bloom come and go. And come each spring, they know their care of the land will once again be rewarded with nature’s colorful tradition.
California Rangeland Trust is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax identification number 31-1631453) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
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