Pepperwood Preserve

Pepperwood Preserve is a nature reserve in the Mayacamas Mountains featuring grasslands, oak woodlands, mixed conifer forests, and wetlands. The land spans roughly 3,000 acres and displays the varied habitats found across this mountainous region.

The California Academy of Sciences transferred the land to Herb and Jane Dwight in 2005, who invested significantly in securing additional property. This made the area a major protected landscape for the mountain terrain of the region.

The preserve serves as a learning site for schools and universities that conduct field studies here and benefit from the varied habitats. This partnership with local educational institutions has made the place an important location for hands-on nature education.

The property sits roughly 25 miles (40 kilometers) from Santa Rosa and requires advance permission to visit. Visitors should note that dogs are not permitted and planning for self-guided exploration is necessary.

The land harbors the headwaters of three significant creeks that flow into the Russian River system and provide water to the broader watershed. This hidden hydrological role makes the preserve crucial to the larger ecosystem of the region.