Bob Naylon recently put this Swall Meadows property into conservation easement with the help of Eastern Sierra Land Trust. (Photo: ESLT)

A critical piece of wildlife habitat for the Round Valley mule deer herd has been preserved by the forward-thinking of some local property owners. “I have always been interested in land conservation, and it finally came to where we wanted to do something to protect our land,” owner Bob Naylon said. Naylon and his wife, Lee, decided to keep their 104 acres of Swall Meadows property open forever for wildlife migration.

Their decision was recently cemented via a conservation easement, a voluntary binding land protection agreement between the landowner and Eastern Sierra Land Trust (ESLT). The Naylons retain ownership and management responsibilities for their land while designating how the land will be used now and in the future.

“The preservation of the Naylon property demonstrates a high level of environmental stewardship by the Naylons and their conservation partners by promoting responsible use and protection of a highly sensitive migration corridor said Alisa Ellsworth, California Department of Fish and Game Associate Wildlife Biologist said.  “Not only will the Round Valley mule deer herd benefit, but many other wildlife species as well.”  The California Deer Association and the California Wildlife Conservation Board partnered with ESLT in funding the acquisition of the conservation easement.

Some 74 acres of critical wildlife habitat in the Swall Meadows area are already preserved with conservation easements between property owners and ESLT. The addition of the Naylon property helps assure a safe and healthy habitat for the 2,000 mule deer that move through Swall Meadows twice a year between their winter and summer ranges, according to the ESLT.

ESLT is a non-profit organization that works with willing landowners to preserve vital lands in the Eastern Sierra region for their scenic, agricultural, natural, recreational, historical and watershed values. Learn more about ESLT at www.eslt.org or call 760.873.4554.