DarkHorse Golf Club

Habitat Conservation

Nevada County, California • Permanent Land Protection

Darkhorse Conservation Easements

Darkhorse Golf Club is advancing a permanent conservation easement strategy in partnership with Yuba Bear Land Trust to protect approximately 1,000 acres of golf course lands and open space in perpetuity.

300 acres

Golf course lands under easement

700 acres

Open space / habitat lands under easement

1,000 acres

Total protected footprint (approx.)

Conservation Commitment

Located in the Sierra foothills of Nevada County, Darkhorse includes approximately 300 acres of championship golf course lands and roughly 700 acres of surrounding open space, oak woodland, grassland, and habitat corridors.

Yuba Bear Land Trust will hold and steward a permanent conservation easement across these lands, ensuring long-term protection and responsible management.

What the Easement Does

  • Preserves scenic landscapes and foothill character
  • Protects wildlife habitat and movement corridors
  • Prevents subdivision and incompatible development
  • Maintains open space and compatible land management practices
  • Supports ongoing habitat, watershed, and fuel reduction stewardship

What the Easement Does Not Do

  • Does not transfer land ownership
  • Does not change day-to-day golf course operations except to align with conservation restrictions
  • Does not eliminate responsible land management; it formalizes it for long-term protection

Integrated Land System

Darkhorse functions as a unified environmental and community system: golf course lands serve as a maintained greenbelt and open-space buffer; habitat corridors remain intact; and long-term stewardship supports wildfire resilience, watershed protection, and community open space values.

Contact the Habitat Management Office View Maps & Exhibits

Habitat Management Office: 24277 Darkhorse Drive • Nevada County, CA

Stewardship & Oversight

A conservation easement is a long-term protection tool. Darkhorse retains ownership and management responsibility, while the land trust provides independent stewardship and monitoring.

Yuba Bear Land Trust will:

  • Hold and steward the conservation easement
  • Monitor easement terms (typically annually)
  • Support conservation objectives through partnership and oversight

Darkhorse will:

  • Maintain the golf course and open space consistent with conservation objectives
  • Implement habitat management and wildfire resilience measures
  • Coordinate with Nevada County Community Development and Planning as needed

FAQ

Is this a transfer of ownership?
No. Darkhorse retains ownership. The easement places permanent conservation restrictions on the land.
Will the golf course remain a golf course?
Yes. The easement is designed to protect land values, open space character, and compatible ongoing use.
What does “in perpetuity” mean?
The easement runs with the land permanently—future owners remain bound by the same conservation restrictions.
How is compliance ensured?
The land trust provides independent monitoring and stewardship, typically through annual site visits and documentation review.

This page is an informational summary. Final conservation easement terms are defined by recorded documents and stewardship agreements.