City staff are currently working on purchasing several conservation easements on farmland within the Davis Planning Area.  All of these conservation easements will be co-owned by a local land trust, who will monitor the easement in perpetuity on behalf of the City.  A short summary of each, along with a map showing the location of these conservation easements, can be found below:

• Beoshanz Family Farm.  In October 2025, the City was awarded a $420,000 grant from the Strategic Growth Council to help purchase a 79-acre agricultural conservation easement on farmland northwest of the City limits, near the intersection of County Roads 31 and 96, along Dry Slough.  The remaining $90,000 to purchase the easement will come from the City’s Open Space fund.  Staff expect to complete this purchase in early 2027.

• Gill Orchard #3.  In early 2026, the City submitted a grant application to the Strategic Growth Council for money to help purchase an 85-acre agricultural conservation easement on farmland northeast of the City limits, near the intersection of County Roads 104A and 30.The matching funds needed to purchase the easement will come from the City’s Open Space fund.  Staff expect to find out if the City was awarded the grant in late 2026.

• Bensen Family Farm.  In early 2026, the City submitted a grant application to the Strategic Growth Council for money to help purchase an 80-acre agricultural conservation easement on farmland northeast of the City limits, near the intersection of County Roads 105 and 30.The matching funds needed to purchase the easement will come from the City’s Open Space fund.  Staff expect to find out if the City was awarded the grant in late 2026.

• El Molino Farm.  In December 2022, the Solano Land Trust submitted a grant application to the Strategic Growth Council for money to help purchase a 217-acre agricultural conservation easement on farmland on Hamel Lane, adjacent to the City’s southern border in Solano County.  The matching funds needed to purchase the easement will come from the City’s Open Space fund.  Staff expect to close this transaction in early 2027.

• Tauzer Family Farm.  In October 2023, the City Council approved the purchase of 160 acres of farmland on County Road 103 as mitigation for the loss of agricultural land and Swainson’s hawk foraging habitat resulting from the development of the Nishi Student Apartments project.  The cost to purchase this easement will be paid by the developer, who will donate the easement to the City and the Yolo Land Trust.  Staff expect to close this transaction in late 2026.

• Bullseye Ranch.  In October 2026, staff intend to ask the City Council to approve the purchase of 374 acres of farmland near the intersection of County Roads 98 and 30 as mitigation for the loss of agricultural land resulting from the development of the proposed Willowgrove development project.  The cost to purchase this easement will be paid by the developer, who will donate the easement to the City and the Yolo Land Trust.  Staff expect to close this transaction in early 2028.

  
  

 Habitat Restoration Projects

City staff are also working on several habitat restoration projects.  A short summary of each, along with a map showing the location of these habitat restoration projects, can be found below:

• Expansion of Riparian Corridor on Putah Creek.  In May 2025, the City Council approved a resolution to donate a 255-acre habitat conservation easement to the Yolo Habitat Conservancy (YHC) on three parcels of farmland the City owns along the South Fork of Putah Creek.  The YHC is interested in enhancing and expanding the riparian habitat that exists on these parcels.  This area has high habitat value because it is located along the South Fork of Putah Creek, which serves as an important corridor and habitat area for several of the YHC’s targeted species including valley elderberry longhorn beetle, western pond turtle, least Bell’s vireo, yellow-billed cuckoo, Swainson’s hawk, and white-tailed kite.  Staff expect to donate this habitat easement to the YHC in early 2028.

• Creation of Off-Channel Aquatic Habitat on Putah Creek.  The City and UC Davis are partnering on a habitat restoration project on a 32-acre parcel of land owned by the Regents of the University of California along the South Fork of Putah Creek near Old Davis Road. After extensive community input, the final design concept features new open water habitat, marsh and willow scrub habitat, riparian habitat, and grassland/oak woodland habitat.  It also features a large pedestrian bridge over the creek, expanded parking area to the north, new signature shade structures, picnic tables, accessible walking trails, boardwalks, creek observation decks, gathering spaces with temporary interpretive features, a canoe/kayak launch, a fishing pier, and creek access points.  UC Davis is currently working on the required permitting and environmental clearance for this project.  UC Davis and the City plant to jointly apply for construction grant funding as soon as possible. 

The City’s Open Space Program actively maintains about 300 acres of open space for the enjoyment of Davis residents and for wildlife species.  These lands include ag buffers, grasslands/uplands habitat, riparian habitat and native plant sites.  The largest is the 110-acre South Fork Preserve.  All the City’s open space areas, along with all the conservation easements that exist within the Davis Planning Area, can be found on this interactive open space map.

Even though they look like open spaces, the City’s drainage channels, detention ponds and wetlands are not open space areas.  Instead, they are maintained by the City’s Public Works Department because they are part of the City’s vast stormwater drainage system that protects the City from flooding.  In Davis, these drainage features all have natural soil surfaces and vegetation, which act as a natural water treatment filtration system and provide seasonal habitat for aquatic plants and wildlife.  The stormwater flows into the Yolo Bypass and eventually into the Sacramento River and the San Francisco Bay.

• Wildhorse Agricultural Buffer
• El Macero Agricultural Buffer
• South Fork Preserve
• Mace Ranch Park Habitat Area
• North Davis Upland Habitat Area
• Putah Creek Parkway
• Woodbridge/Willowbank Habitat Area

• Old Lincoln Highway Hedgerow
• North Davis Meadows Hedgerow
• Cottonwood Habitat Node
• Washoe Habitat Node

• North Davis Drainage Channel
• Mace Ranch Drainage Channel
• Old North Fork of Putah Creek
• Julie Partansky Pond
• West Area Pond
• Toad Hollow (Core Area Pond)
• Davis Wetlands

• UCD Arboretum (Old North Fork of Putah Creek)
• Putah Creek Riparian Reserve
• Russel Ranch

• Grasslands Regional Park

The City uses a variety of tools to protect open space, which maximizes the effectiveness of the City’s limited funding.  These tools all do different things, but they work together to implement the City’s Open Space Program.  A brief overview of each of these tools is shown below:

• Conservation Easements.  The City can acquire a partial interest in land (i.e., an easement) that protects the land in perpetuity for agriculture or habitat.  By accepting an easement on his/her land, the landowner agrees to limit what the land can be used for in perpetuity.  The cost of an easement increases substantially as more property rights (such as public access) are included in the terms of the easement.  The City usually co-owns the easement with a land trust.  Land trust staff monitors the easement properties annually to ensure the terms of the conservation agreement are being met.  The City pays for these easements using grant funds, leveraged with matching funds from the Measure O Open Space Protection Special Tax Fund, agriculture mitigation fees, and development impact fees for open space.

• Land Purchases. The City can acquire the fee title interest in land and keep it for recreational, habitat, or farming purposes, or resell the property subject to a conservation easement, such as the former Leland Ranch property near the Mace Boulevard curve.  These lands usually provide public access.  The City pays for these land acquisitions using grant funds, leveraged with matching funds from the Measure O Open Space Protection Special Tax Fund, agriculture mitigation fees, and development impact fees for open space.

• A Stable, Reliable Funding Source.  Before the passage of Measure O in 2000, the City did not have a stable, reliable funding source to acquire and manage open space.  Measure O now provides about $700,000 every year for this purpose.  Because it is a stable and reliable revenue source, Measure O has given the City of Davis an enviable advantage in the stiff competition for state and federal open space land acquisition grants. The full text of Measure O can be found in Municipal Code Article 15.17.

• Right-to-Farm Ordinance Requirements.  In 1995, the City Council approved the Right-to-Farm and Farmland Preservation Ordinance (Ordinance 1823).  The first municipal ordinance of its kind, the City’s ground-breaking work has spawned similar farmland protection efforts in California and in other states.  The main goals of the ordinance are to: (1) preserve and encourage agricultural land use and operations within the Davis Planning Area, (2) reduce the occurrence of conflicts between agricultural and non-agricultural land uses, and (3) reduce the loss of agricultural resources by limiting the circumstances under which agricultural operations may be deemed a nuisance.  The ordinance has two key requirements:

• The agriculture land mitigation requirement. This part of the ordinance requires developers to permanently protect at least two acres of agricultural land somewhere within the Davis Planning Area to mitigate for every acre of agricultural land they convert to urban uses.  This is known as the 2:1 requirement. Permanently protecting the land means either buying it outright or buying a conservation easement on the land. Developers must first preserve the land directly adjacent to their project. If this adjacent land is not enough to satisfy the 2:1 agricultural land mitigation requirement, then the developer must look elsewhere within the Davis Planning Area.

• The agricultural buffer requirement. This part of the ordinance requires developers to provide an agricultural buffer (i.e., an agricultural transition area, greenbelt or habitat area) that is at least 150 feet wide between their project and adjacent agricultural uses. This tool aims to address potential conflicts between urban and rural land uses. This tool supports farming adjacent to urban uses; thereby helping to protect agricultural land at the city’s edge.

• The Measure R/J/D Vote.  Measure J (the Citizens’ Right to Vote on Future Use of Open Space and Agricultural Lands Ordinance) was first passed by Davis voters in 2000.  Measure J was included on the City of Davis’ June 2010 ballot as Measure R and was approved for renewal, which extended the sunset date to December 31, 2020.  The measure was extended again in November 2020 as Measure D. The measure extended the sunset date to December 31, 2030.  Measure D requires an affirmative citizen vote for General Plan Amendments that re-designate land from agricultural or open space to urban uses.  After completion of environmental review and public hearings, the City Council may choose to put a proposed land use change on the ballot for voter consideration.  This tool gives the community the ability to weigh in on development proposals at the city’s edge.  Measure D is also codified in the City's Municipal Code as Chapter 41.

• Conservation Partnerships.  The City works closely with local conservation organizations to implement its open space protection goals.  Close collaboration with these organizations and identification of common objectives has allowed the City to achieve the level of success it has in protecting open space.  Wherever possible, the City develops partnerships with regional and national conservation organizations that share its objectives.  The City also joins organizations, lobbies state and federal representatives, and participates in regional open space discussions as a way to build partnerships with regional and national organizations.

• Education and Outreach.  Education is a key factor in building strong public support for the City’s Open Space Program.  Appropriate and well-managed public access on City open space lands provides opportunities for citizens to learn about the natural and cultural history of the Davis area and the Central Valley.  Increasing public knowledge and appreciation of agricultural and natural systems will improve support for their conservation.  The City works closely with school districts, local conservation organizations (e.g., the Yolo Basin Foundation), and outside agencies to develop open space related educational materials and firsthand learning experiences.

In March 2018, the City Council approved a Strategic Plan for the City's Open Space Program, which was developed in partnership with the community and the Open Space and Habitat Commission.  This Strategic Plan is part of a set of planning and management documents that will guide program activities through 2030.  A brief summary of each of the six subject areas included in the Strategic Plan can be found below:

The City’s focus is on acquiring conservation easements on farmland within the Davis Planning Area and on purchasing properties with recreational value for Davis citizens.  Several fundamental principles guide all of the City’s open space acquisitions:  (1) acquire land only from willing sellers, (2) acquire land only within the Davis Planning Area, (3) maximize the buying power of open space funds, (4) favor conservation easements, (5) make strategic fee-title acquisitions, (6) pay fair market value, (7) take a balanced approach, and (8) seek multiple benefits.  In evaluating possible purchases, the City seeks to protect the greatest amount of high-quality open space as possible within its funding constraints.

• Priority acquisition areas. The Davis Planning Area is more than 100,000 acres so the City must focus its acquisition efforts in certain priority areas:(1) land near the city limits to help define the City’s urban boundary (Urban Fringe), (2) land between Davis and neighboring cities to preserve each community’s unique character (Community Separator), (3) land considered prime farmland to maintain the viability of agriculture in the Davis Planning Area (Agriculture), (4) land considered important wildlife habitat (Biological and Natural Resources), and (5) land providing views and scenic vistas of notable skylines and mountain ranges (Scenic Resources).

• Recent acquisitions.  The City recently purchased the following agricultural conservation easements:(1) 124 acres located northeast of the Wildhorse neighborhood (Gill Orchard #1), and (2) 120 acres located northeast of the Mace Boulevard curve (Gill Orchard #2).In addition, the developer of the Bretton Woods project donated the following agricultural conservation easements to the City as part of the project’s ag mitigation requirements:(1) 27.5 acres located just east of County Road 104 (Martin Farm), and (2) 135 acres located just west of the City on Covell Boulevard (Schuler/Wantz Farm).Finally, the City recently purchased a 9.5-acre property west of South Fork Preserve that includes about a half mile of dense riparian forest.  These properties can be found on the City’s open space interactive map.

The City’s focus is on restoring and enhancing City-owned open space areas to make them more livable for native plant and animal species.  The City owns about 300 acres of open space land that currently provides, or has the potential to provide, highly valuable and varied wildlife habitat.  Native plants and animals in the Central Valley are stressed by loss of habitat and habitat linkages, invasive species, loss of natural fire regimes, water pollution, human disturbances during sensitive times, and other factors.  Active habitat restoration and enhancement, as well as long-term habitat management, are essential to reducing the effects of these stressors and to increase the long-term viability of these species. 

• Recent habitat restoration projects. The City recently completed the following habitat restoration projects:(1) a three-acre vacant site at F Street and Anderson Road was graded to provide small hills and swales and planted with native plants and trees specific to an upland habitat ecosystem, (2) nest boxes were installed at the North Davis Upland Habitat Area as part of UC Davis’s network of songbird nest boxes designed to revive the population of Western Bluebirds, (3) more than 70 plants were planted on the north bank of South Fork Preserve in an effort to establish a thriving elderberry habitat for the Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle, and (4) new native plant hedgerows were installed on the City’s Howat Ranch property on County Road 105.

The City’s focus is on managing the City’s natural resources as a functioning local ecosystem within a broader regional ecosystem.  City staff are constantly evaluating new information and adapting management practices to deliver high-quality wildlife habitat and compatible recreational opportunities for Davis residents.  These practices include invasive species control, controlled burns, grazing, non-toxic weed control, biological assessments, native plantings, and controls for domestic animals.  To protect wildlife and the habitat value of the City’s open space areas, City staff encourage people to stay on trails and respect the site-specific rules regarding dogs (dogs are never allowed to be off-leash in open space areas).

• Recent land management projects.  The City recently completed the following land management projects:(1) a land management plan for the Wildhorse Agricultural Buffer that includes land management strategies to encourage burrowing owl habitat in the buffer’s northeast corner, (2) the first controlled burn at South Fork Preserve to remove thatch build-up and invasive weed species, improve habitat, stimulate the growth of native grasses and forbs, and return nutrients to the soil, and (3) a near-total conversion to non-toxic weed control (controlled burning, grazing, mulching, targeted watering) to encourage the spread of native grasses and forbs.

The City’s focus is on providing more information to the public about program workplans and budgets and program financing tools, including how open space parcel tax dollars are spent.  The City’s Open Space Program is heavily reliant on Measure O, the City’s open space parcel tax which can only be used to maintain and acquire open space.  Because a special tax is involved, City staff prepared a number of easy-to-read programmatic and budgetary documents to provide more clear and transparent information about the Open Space Program to the public.  The overall goal is to foster more trust and understanding between the community, the City Council, and City staff.  These documents can be accessed below.

• Recent transparency efforts.  The City recently completed the following transparency efforts:(1) programmatic documents, including the Strategic Plan for the Open Space Program and available land management plans, were completed and posted on the City’s website, and (2) program financial documents, including information about Measure O, the City’s special open space parcel tax, a midterm progress report on Measure O, and a summary of the annual budget for the Open Space Program, were completed and posted on the City’s website.

The City’s focus is on enhancing public access and recreational opportunities within the City’s existing open space areas, building a better open space network, and improving linkages between open space areas.  This work can include improving trail networks, installing trail signage, designing and installing interpretive signage, expanding existing open space areas, and installing other improvements like seating areas, boardwalks, and creek overlooks.  Davis residents and visitors greatly value having access to passive recreational opportunities in open space areas.  Providing that access helps taxpayers appreciate the benefits of their investment and fosters strong support for continued open space conservation in Davis.

• Recent public accessibility projects. The City recently completed the following public accessibility projects:(1) public accessibility improvements were installed at South Fork Preserve, including a new gravel trail accessible to people with disabilities, a short boardwalk and large creek overlook, new dirt trails, and new interpretive panels, (2) new interpretative panels were installed at South Fork Preserve, including one done in partnership with the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation that depicts information about the Patwin people, (3) new site signage for all of the City’s open space areas was installed, (4) limited public access on the Gill Orchard #1 conservation easement was negotiated with the property owner, and (5) docent-led tours of South Fork Preserve were initiated in partnership with the Putah Creek Council.

The City’s focus is on engaging the public in the City’s Open Space Program and at its open space sites, and developing and fostering partnerships with other interested and involved parties to achieve the City’s Open Space Program goals.  This work includes cultivating partnerships with local conservation groups, recruiting and training volunteers to help with open space maintenance, and publicizing the work of the Open Space Program.  Increasing the level of public engagement in the City’s Open Space Program and at the City’s open space sites themselves is an effective way to build community and increase understanding and awareness of the City’s unique open space areas and of the program in general.

• Recent public engagement projects.  The City recently completed the following public engagement projects:(1) open space interest stories were posted on social media to increase engagement and encourage more people to visit the City’s open space areas, (2) partnerships with the Friends of North Davis Pond, Friends of North Davis Channel, UC Davis, Tree Davis, Putah Creek Council, and the Yolo County Resource Conservation District were continued, and (3) on-line recruitment and training meetings were held for potential open space volunteers.

The money to run the Open Space Program comes from several different sources, including open space parcel taxes (Measure O), agriculture mitigation fees, agricultural lease revenue, open space development impact fees, and some general fund dollars.  The program’s baseline budget is about $575,000, which includes staff salaries, citywide overhead, and regular maintenance costs.  The budget often includes additional money for ongoing capital improvement projects (like habitat restoration projects and weed removal projects) and one-time capital improvement projects (like land acquisitions, easement acquisitions, and special maintenance projects).  More than half of the budget is paid for with Measure O dollars. 

The City’s Open Space Protection Special Tax Fund is a stable source of long-term local funding to protect open space lands in the Davis Planning Area.  Approved as Measure O in November 2000 by 70% of Davis voters, the parcel tax allows the City to acquire and maintain open space.  The 30-year tax (Ordinance 2033 of the City’s Municipal Code) began July 1, 2001 and remains in effect until June 30, 2031.  The tax can be extended or re-authorized by Davis voters prior to that date. 

This parcel tax provides “revenue for the acquisition, operation, and maintenance of lands and easements for open space, habitat and agricultural uses and preservation in the areas surrounding the City.”  In general, the funds in the Open Space Protection Special Tax Fund may be used only for buying and maintaining open space areas (fee title or easement acquisitions), enhancing or improving open space areas, buying and maintaining bicycle trails connecting open space areas, maintaining or improving open space, and paying for incidental expenses related to administering this parcel tax.  This midterm progress report documents how the parcel taxes were spent between 2000 and 2015.

Before the passage of Measure O, the City did not have a stable, reliable funding source to acquire and manage open space.  Measure O now provides about $700,000 every year for this purpose.  Because it is a stable and reliable revenue source, Measure O has given the City of Davis an enviable advantage in the stiff competition for state and federal open space land acquisition grants.