The Best Slough Conservation Preserve is an 88-acre site in western Yuba County, California. The site was initially approved in 2008 as compensatory mitigation for impacts to federally listed vernal pool crustaceans, including the vernal pool fairy shrimp (Branchinecta lynchi) and tadpole shrimp (Lepidurus packardi). A total of 9.41 acres of vernal pools were constructed on site and placed under a conservation easement, along with over 70 acres of adjacent upland habitat that provide high-quality foraging habitat for the Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsoni), habitat for Western Pond Turtle (Actinemys marmorata), Tricolored Blackbird (Agelaius tricolor), and Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius).

Positioned in the open agricultural landscape and riparian corridors of western Yuba County, the site provides high-quality foraging habitat within the Swainson’s hawk’s core Central Valley range. Expansive grasslands interspersed with irrigated croplands, hedgerows, and scattered trees create ideal hunting grounds for Swainson’s hawk, supporting their breeding and migratory use.

Best Slough plays a vital role in maintaining habitat connectivity between nearby nesting territories and key feeding areas, helping sustain the long-term viability of the regional Swainson’s hawk population.

The foraging habitat located at the preserve can provide a flexible mitigation solution for developers, agencies, and infrastructure projects that intersect with Swainson’s hawk habitat. Projects with impacts authorized under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) may be able to purchase foraging habitat at the Preserve in lieu of finding project-specific mitigation lands, subject to lead CEQA agency approval.

For projects with larger impact amounts, please explore our adjacent 100-acre Best Slough Vernal Pool Full Delivery/Turnkey Mitigation site.

Available Credit Types

Download the service area map and KMZ file below:

Service Area Map | KMZ