The california department of fish and wildlife s (cdfw) north central region (NCR) has three staffed wildlife areas that are geographically centralized: gray lodge wildlife area (glwa), spenceville…

The california department of fish and wildlife s (cdfw) north central region (NCR) has three staffed wildlife areas that are geographically centralized: gray lodge wildlife area (glwa), spenceville wildlife area (SWA), and upper butte basin wildlife area (ubbwa) comprising over 42,133 acres of managed wildlife habitat. Operational and administrative oversight of these areas is provided by staff stationed at glwa and ubbwa. These lands were originally purchased by the wildlife conservation board (WCB) between 1931 and 1988. While the purpose of the acquisitions has varied through the years, the goals have remained the same: conservation, restoration, and enhancement of habitats for wildlife, while providing for compatible public recreation such as hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, nature study, etc. Subsequent additions to the areas have focused on implementation of the central valley habitat joint venture and protection of sensitive species and the habitats they depend on. WCB, on behalf of the state, has assigned overall management of these lands to cdfw. Glwa was originally purchased in 1931 to prevent depredation on agricultural crops and provide wintering habitat for migratory birds. These lands are located in both butte and sutter counties. Since the original acquisitions, glwa has expanded with additional land purchases to its present 9,200 acres, and has increased public use activities such as hunting, wildlife viewing, and nature study. Wildlife restoration act (WR) funds have been used to purchase portions of glwa, and for its operation and maintenance since the inception of the WR program in 1937. Ubbwa consists of three individual units (little dry creek, howard slough, and llano seco) which were acquired between 1988 and 2016. These lands are located in both butte and glenn counties and were in agricultural production prior to purchase by the WCB. These lands were assigned to cdfw to restore, enhance, develop, and maintain as wildlife habitats, while providing for compatible public uses. Since the original acquisitions, the wildlife area has expanded with additional agricultural land purchases to its present 9,408 acres and has increased public use activities such as hunting, wildlife viewing, and nature study. The first land acquisition that formed what is now the SWA occurred in 1963. Since that time there have been several parcels added to the original property, which now totals 11,887 acres. SWA is located in both nevada and yuba counties in the western foothills of the sierra nevada mountain range. These properties were acquired to preserve blue OAK woodland and grassland habitats and provide recreational opportunities for the public. Cdfw has restored, enhanced, developed, and maintained wetland, riparian, and upland habitats for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, upland game birds, deer, and other wildlife species associated with these habitats. These lands were assigned to cdfw to restore, enhance, develop, maintain wildlife habitats and while providing for compatible public uses.