Amid Ongoing Farm and Ranch Land Loss, 5,700 Acres of Rangeland in Merced County Permanently Protected

(SNELLING, CALIF.) – March 31, 2026

The California Rangeland Trust is proud to announce the conservation of more than 1,300 additional acres on Dry Creek Ranch in Merced County, California. With this latest addition, more than 5,700 acres of vital rangeland are permanently protected.

In Merced County alone, the Rangeland Trust’s conserved acreage now exceeds 20,000 acres across 10 different ranches. At a time when agricultural land across the nation is disappearing at an alarming rate, the decisions of ranching families like Roy and Dana Richards carry even greater significance.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States lost nearly 15,000 farms and ranches and more than 20.1 million acres of productive agricultural land in 2024 alone. That’s more than 5,000 acres of loss every single day. In California, projections indicate that an additional 797,400 acres of agricultural land could be lost to development and other land-use changes by 2040, compared to 2016 levels. This steady decline threatens not only food production, but also critical wildlife habitat and the longstanding tradition of responsible land stewardship passed down through ranching families.

The Richards family has owned and operated Dry Creek Ranch since 1975, when Dana Richards’s parents purchased the property to run a cow-calf/stocker operation. After her parents’ passing, Dana and her husband, Roy Sr., assumed management of the ranch. Today, daily operations are primarily overseen by their son, Roy W., his wife, Breanne, and their three children—representing the third and fourth generations committed to caring for the land.

As urban development steadily expanded around them, the Richards family made the intentional decision to protect their ranch and preserve their family legacy. After witnessing the success of other conservation projects in the region, they approached the California Rangeland Trust to explore a conservation easement. The initial conservation of more than 4,400 acres was completed in 2014. With this recent addition, the ranch is now fully conserved.

“Ranching is a deep-rooted part of our family history, predating my parents acquiring this land,” said Dana Richards. “My grandfather was a cattleman in the local area, and we felt it was vital to protect that legacy. We want to ensure that future generations—both within our family and beyond—have the opportunity to experience this land as it should be: a working cattle ranch.”

Beyond its agricultural value, the conserved property encompasses native grasslands with vernal pools that provide critical habitat for a range of sensitive species, including Colusa grass, succulent owl’s clover, Hoover’s spurge, hairy Orcutt grass, and the federally listed vernal pool fairy shrimp. These habitats are carefully sustained through the Richards family’s stewardship, including well-managed rotational grazing practices that support both ecological health and agricultural productivity.

“The permanent protection of Dry Creek Ranch conserves crucial California ranchland, as well as important habitats for a variety sensitive species,” said California Department of Conservation Director Jennifer Lucchesi. “It is an honor to support the Richards family in their work and to now have all of Dry Creek Ranch protected in perpetuity.”

The presence of these sensitive species made the project eligible for funding through the Bureau of Reclamation’s Central Valley Project Conservation Program. Additional support was provided through the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation (SALC) Program, which is administered by the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) and implemented by the California Department of Conservation. SALC is part of California Climate Investments, which uses billions of Cap-and-Invest dollars to fund projects that reduce harmful emissions, protect public health, strengthen local economies, and support natural environments. With a strong focus on communities most impacted by pollution and limited access to resources, California Climate Investments helps build a more equitable and sustainable future. For more information about these investments, visit caclimatenvestments.ca.gov

“The conservation of Dry Creek Ranch underscores the importance of the SALC Program: Protecting working lands from sprawl, preserving habitats and open space, and encouraging smart growth,” said SGC Executive Director Erin Curtis. “Partnerships like this are essential to support our food systems and meet California’s climate goals.”

This collaborative effort highlights what is possible when private landowners and public agencies unite around a shared commitment to conservation. Together, the Richards family, the Rangeland Trust, and their funding partners have safeguarded working lands, protected open space, and preserved vital wildlife habitat—ensuring lasting benefits for the environment and the broader community.

Michael Delbar, CEO of the California Rangeland Trust, emphasized the broader impact of the project, “This conservation easement represents more than acreage, it represents a family making a proactive choice to protect their legacy and the resources that benefit us all. When ranching families like the Richards commit to conservation, they help secure California’s food supply, wildlife habitat, and open spaces for future generations. Projects like Dry Creek Ranch remind us that conservation works best when it’s voluntary, family-led, and supported by strong public partnerships.”