Valley Creek Botanical Special Interest Area -

Plumas National Forest

The Valley Creek Special Interest Area (SIA) is 303 acres and was recognized early on as a unique example of old growth and has been classified as such since the mid-1940s. Dominant trees range in age from 130 to 435 years old and it has several structural characteristics that meet the definition of late-successional Sierra Nevada mixed conifer old growth forest of Douglas-fir and Sugar pine. The old growth Douglas-fir and Sugar pine provide habitat for many local wildlife species, including the sensitive California spotted owl and Northern goshawk. They also provide dwellings for small mammals. Valley Creek, which runs through the Special Interest Area, has been recognized as habitat for the sensitive foothill yellow-legged frog and the Federally Threatened red-legged frog.