The settlement of litigation between the City of Sacramento and six environmental plaintiffs (NWF et al v. Babbitt; FOSH v. CDFG) included a commitment to acquire and protect habitat at the historic slough called Fisherman’s Lake, home to many species including both the Swainson’s Hawk and the endangered Giant Garter Snake. This project began with the acquisition of 250 acres by NBC in several separate parcels. Natomas Basin Conservancy has begun habitat restoration and is managing properties for both wetland and upland species. Recently the NBC added 200 acres at the nortwest end of Fisherman's Lake.

On the east side of Fisherman's Lake, landowners want to build houses, encroaching into the safety zone for nesting Swainson's Hawks. The width and management of buffer on the east side between suburbs and Fisherman's Lake will be a critical factor in the preserve's success. Click here for more information on resolution of the eastside buffer issue.

Pictured at left, top,is a part of Fisherman’s Lake early in April 1998. Soon afterwards, the abundant vegetation on the right was sheared away, leaving the west bankside exposed and dangerous for Giant Garter Snakes who require early morning basking on the west side to raise body temperature and can be vulnerable to attack by predators without cover. Shown at left, middle,is a view of this area right after mowing in 1998, showing the degradation of habitat. The bottom picture in the series is an older one, showing the more natural values of the area. [Photo by George Hansen.]

Fisherman’s Lake is an unusual preserve for Natomas Basin because it is located close to the growing suburban population, west of I-5 on Del Paso Road. Special care must be taken for the species, and special opportunities abound for involving the community in the preserve.

Fisherman’s Lake is especially important to preserve and restore because:
• it is in the Swainson’s Hawk zone, an area of concentrated nesting;
• it is identified in all major environmental studies and recommended by GGS experts as habitat that should be preserved;
• airport buffer lands near the preserve provide cumulative species benefit;
• area is not zoned for development;
• it supports both upland and wetland species;
• it is part of the historic slough linking the American Lakes

Aerial view of the area.