The Mastin Ranch Preserve
In 2019 Sierra Foothill Conservancy acquired the Mastin Ranch Preserve which protects 998.3 acres of land near Madera County’s historic town of Raymond. SFC is honored to have the opportunity to conserve this beautiful land in perpetuity.
Norma Mastin’s Story
The Mastin Ranch was willed to SFC as a planned gift by Norma Mastin who passed away in 2018. Norma was a longstanding member of SFC who connected strongly with the mission. Norma inherited the ranch from her father who purchased it originally in 1936. During their lifetime, Norma and her husband were beloved Biology teachers at Madera High School. Norma loved spending time with five generations of family members at the ranch and dreamed of her family’s beloved land being preserved for generations to come. Norma’s commitment to the natural world was prevalent in her life pursuits and in her persistence to contribute to conservation with her planned gift. SFC and all who knew her will always remember Norma’s lively spirit and compassionate heart.
History
The history of the Preserve property tells a fascinating story of the local region. The following information was provided by Lynn Northrop, owner and operator of the Raymond Museum . “There are several historical features present on what is now the Mastin Preserve including the old foundation and Maypole of the original Willow Creek School where well-known local, Emma Harriett Jones (born Hornitos 1894), taught for several years. Bill Bossert, a long-time trustee at the Willow Creek School, worked very hard to get glass windows for the school. The school had trouble with attendance and struggled to keep its doors open. Acorns and woodpeckers were cited as a nuisance for both teachers and pupils. The structure eventually burned down after being closed, and Bill’s windows were taken out and installed at another school. The property also has a barn dating to the 1940s, and the remains of an adobe wall. There are conflicting stories regarding the adobe ruins – some say that it was part of an old store along an historic supply wagon route and others say it was the Willow Creek School’s storehouse. There is an historic wagon route that runs through the Preserve. This was not a Yosemite stage route, but instead served as the original Road 415 connection between Raymond to Coarsegold, which runs east over the Fresno River to ‘Fresno Crossing’.”
Habitat
The Mastin Preserve features nearly 1,000 acres of meadows, rangeland, and blue oak woodland as well as historical and cultural points of interest. The Mastin Ranch Preserve habitat is similar to SFC’s McKenzie and Martin Preserves and is home to special species including the Bald Eagle, Western Pond Turtle, California Tiger Salamander (potential), Western Spadefoot Toad, and Pallid Bat.
