Source link : https://las-vegas-news.com/washoe-tribe-secures-historic-10274-acre-preserve-near-lake-tahoe/
Record-Breaking Return Triples Tribal Holdings (Image Credits: Upload.wikimedia.org)
The Washoe Tribe of California and Nevada completed a transformative land acquisition north of Lake Tahoe, marking a pivotal moment in regional history.[1][2]
Record-Breaking Return Triples Tribal Holdings
Conservation advocates hailed the purchase as the largest tract ever returned to a tribe in the Sierra Nevada, encompassing Reno and surrounding areas. The deal nearly triples the Washoe Tribe’s land base, providing a substantial foundation for cultural and ecological revival.[1]
Tribal Chairman Serrell Smokey described the achievement during a recent announcement. “We weren’t given a reservation land base originally. Everything was hard-fought and worked-for,” he stated. The 10,274 acres, formerly Loyalton Ranch, now bear the name WélmeltiɁ Preserve, honoring a historic Washoe band. This ranks as the third-largest such return in California history.[2]
The Waší·šiw Land Trust, established by the tribe in 2025, holds the property. Funds totaling $6.9 million covered the $6 million purchase from the city of Santa Clara, plus initial stewardship costs. A $5.5 million grant from the California Wildlife Conservation Board anchored the effort, supplemented by private contributions.[1][3]
Reversing Centuries of Displacement
The California Gold Rush of 1848 upended Washoe life, as settlers logged forests, depleted fisheries, and introduced livestock that supplanted native…
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Author : Matthias Binder
Publish date : 2026-02-12 19:16:00
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