Our Projects

WRA developed a project strategy to support the landowner’s goals and maximize the ecological value of the property.

WRA partnered with the landowner of a 750-acre cattle ranch in southern Solano County to identify the highest and best use of their property in Benicia, California. Located within critical habitat for the California red-legged frog and zoned for agriculture, the property presented an opportunity to both protect sensitive species and create long-term ecological and economic value. Together, we developed a strategy to establish California’s first wildlife conservation bank dedicated to both the California red-legged frog and the Callippe silverspot butterfly.

WRA led the project from conception through entitlement and currently manages the bank operations and provides land management services.

WRA prepared the Bank Prospectus and Bank Enabling Instrument to secure U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) approval in 2012.

Because historic ranching practices had degraded breeding habitat, California red-legged frogs were absent from the property. To restore the species, WRA developed and obtained USFWS approval for a frog translocation plan. In February 2012, fertile egg masses were introduced into newly enhanced ponds designed for successful breeding. The results were immediate; by the fall, more than 100 juvenile frogs were observed in the restored ponds.

WRA also manages subconsultant-led weed control efforts, including the strategic management of artichoke thistle (Cynara cardunculus), yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis), and distaff thistle (Carthamus lanatus). Reducing invasive weed cover allows native plants that are important to the butterfly to thrive, supporting its long-term habitat needs. In addition, dense thistle stands can restrict frog movement across upland areas. Their removal helps maintain open movement corridors, allowing frogs to disperse more easily throughout the property.

Today, WRA oversees annual monitoring and land management to ensure habitat quality for both the California red-legged frog and Callippe silverspot butterfly. We also support the landowner in marketing mitigation credits to projects needing compliance solutions.

The Bank is approved, and mitigation credits are available for two federally listed wildlife species.

The Bank is permanently protected and provides mitigation credits for two federally listed species. The project not only expanded the occupied range of the California red-legged frog through successful restoration and translocation but also transformed a property once considered a financial burden into a valuable conservation and economic asset. By balancing ecological goals with landowner objectives, the Bank stands as a model for species conservation banking in California.

For more information:

• Ridge Top Ranch website
• WRA blog: Mitigation Banking at Ridge Top Ranch Provides Habitat for Endangered Frogs and Butterflies
• PERC Report: Conservation Banking Success at Ridge Top Ranch
• NMBC Article: Species Translocation Optimizes Conservation Bank Value at Ridge Top

If you are interested in buying mitigation credits from this Bank, please visit our mitigation credits page.