CONSERVATION

Sparrowks are committed to conservation on their ranches and have implemented projects to enhance water quality and quantity, streambank restoration, wildlife habitat improvement, invasive species control and forage improvement. 

 Partners in some of these projects include Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District, East Bay Muncipal Utility District, CALFED, California Wildlife Conservation Board, Ducks Unlimited, Lake County Resources Initiative and others.

To ensure their ranches remain in rangeland and to protect the conservation values on each, Sparrowks put conservation easements on Bar One in 2002, held by the California Rangeland Trust, and on Drews Valley Ranch in 2004, held by the Oregon Rangeland Trust.

The Sparrowks have been recognized by several organizations including the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Chuck Yeager Award, the Lake County (Oregon) Stockgrowers Stewardship Award and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association Region Six Environmental Stewardship Award for their conservation efforts.