The Natomas Basin Conservancy
Wildlands, Inc. was hired to assist in the implementation of the Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan, which broke a regional logjam between economic growth and environmental protection. Wildlands, in cooperation with the Natomas Basin Conservancy, developed a series of site-specific resource management plans that protected and restored endangered species while permitting economic activities such as agriculture and wildlife recreation to co-exist in a sustainable manner.

The primary focus of the plans was to protect and restore wetland and upland habitat values to benefit the threatened giant garter snake and Swainsonís hawk. Wildlands designed managed-marsh habitats interspersed with rice fields to provide the giant garter snakes with high-quality habitat. Upland areas and berms are slated to be planted with riparian and grassland species to provide
foraging and nesting areas for Swainsonís hawks. In addition, the management plan was designed to protect and enhance habitat for other wildlife species that depend upon wetland and upland tricolored blackbirds, white-faced ibis, greater sandhill cranes, vernal pool fairy shrimp, and valley elderberry longhorn beetles.

Wildlands also worked with the Conservancy to present the plan in public forums and respond to concerns of neighboring landowners and environmental advocates.

Wildlands has updated the plans four times to reflect new land acquisitions by the Conservancy; the plans now cover 15 properties, encompassing over 2,800 acres.