In February 2022, River Partners restored nearly 300-acres at the Grayson Riverbend Preserve, planting native forests of deergrass, milkweed, valley oak, and willow to revive the river ecosystem and help protect the small town of Grayson from flooding. It’s the latest piece to be added to River Partner’s restoration constellation in Stanislaus County, which totals nearly 11,000 acres of continuous natural habitat in the Central Valley when combined with the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge, north of Grayson, and Dos Rios Ranch Preserve, located across the San Joaquin River.
As River Partners planted native forests in the region over the last decade, we’ve grown roots in the community. We teamed up with town leaders to chronicle Grayson’s inspiring story of restoration and renewal and its deep connection with the nearby San Joaquin River. The video is part of a series and features perspectives from community leaders, local farmers, historians, and even California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot about Grayson’s journey of resilience.
Project Impact
285 acres restored
35,500 native trees and vegetation restored
16 priority species protected
PLUS increased flood protection and public recreational access
About Grayson Riverbend Preserve
Kicked off in February 2022, the 285-acre restoration at Grayson Riverbend Preserve tucked along the San Joaquin River near the confluence of the Tuolumne River is bringing new life to the river and local community.
The San Joaquin Valley is one of the most hydrologically altered landscapes on the planet. Combined with a changing climate and unpredictable weather patterns, once-abundant trout and salmon have nearly gone extinct. The project restores agricultural fields adjacent to the river back into native riparian forest, which will buffer the town of Grayson and downstream communities from flooding and provide critical habitat for endangered fish.
Restoration includes reconnecting a historic floodplain back to the river, improving rearing and spawning habitat for fall-run chinook salmon and Central Valley steelhead. Newly planted riverside forests of native species, including milkweed, valley oak, and willow will cool water temperatures which can get too hot for fish to survive. Eventually, the irrigation well on-site will be decommissioned and the conserved water will be given back to the river for fish and other wildlife.
Restoring the river has other benefits, too. Local fishermen frequent the preserve, and once the restoration is complete, the area will offer improved trail access for walking, biking, running, and just enjoying nature. The preserve is also important to local Native peoples, who dig sedge root to make baskets and harvest dogbane to make cordage.
Ultimately, the project will help restore the riverbank to what it might have historically looked like—an abundant riparian forest filled with thriving wildlife and native plants, enjoyed by those who live nearby.
Grayson United Community Foundation Co-Founder Lilia Lomeli-Gil confirms how vital green spaces are to her health and those in the Grayson community. “I know nature walks are one of the most beneficial and enjoyable ways to improve well-being. Not just physical, but mental and spiritual health, too. You come out here on nature walks and you leave everything behind. You re-energize and get a good feeling.”
For economically disadvantaged communities, like many agricultural towns in the Central Valley, access to green space is limited. Nationwide, more than 75% of people who live in low-income communities of color live in nature-deprived places, according to Center for American Progress. The Valley has the fewest parks per capita of anywhere in California.
In August 2022, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) inherited title of the Preserve, incorporating it as a new addition to the nearby San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge. Restored trails planned for the Grayson Riverbend Preserve will improve access for Grayson residents.
Funding for the acquisition of the property came from the California Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) Proposition 1 Streamflow Enhancement Program. Initial funding for restoration was provided by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Riverine Stewarship Program. Additional funds were also provided by WCB’s General Fund to support flood recovery activities.
The acquisition, project planning, and implementation has been collaborative amongst DWR, WCB, USFWS, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Reclamation District 2092, River Partners, The Water Foundation, the community of Grayson, the United Community Foundation, the California Indian Basketweaving Association, and Pacific Gas and Electric.
Photos top to bottom, left to right:
- Grayson community members plant native species such as deergrass, Santa Barbara sedge, milkweed, valley oak, willow, and other native vegetaion during a community planting day in February 2022 at the Grayson Riverbend Preserve.
- Restored floodplain at Grayson Riverbend Preserve along the San Joaquin River.
- Map of the Grayson River Bend Preserve (green), Dos Rios Ranch Preserve (blue), and the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge (purple) in Stanislaus County.
- River Partners Restoration Biologist measures the height of floodwaters after intense storms in 2023 etched high-water marks on a remnant valley oak at Grayson Riverbend Preserve.
