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Wakamatsu Farm - Site # 5044
Wakamatsu Farm is a outdoor playground where the American River Conservancy's (ARC) environmental values of conservation, stewardship, and education come to life. It is where we invite the world to experience natural resources, regenerative agriculture, and cultural history all in one location. Registered as California State Historic Landmark #815 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Background:	ARC purchased this 272-acre property to preserve in perpetuity in 2010. Since this time, the infrastructure has been greatly increased, including our new outdoor Education Center. Any given year, more than 1,000 visitors learn, work and play on the Farm.
	Site of the first Japanese Colony in the USA, resting place of the first Japanese woman and immigrant, whose grave is located on the property. We offer docent-led private history tours. Where nature and culture meet, including Native Americans, Gold Rush, and farmers
The Habitat:	Oak woodlands, riparian areas, and pastures, ponds and wetland habitat. Ponds on the Farm attract wildlife, particularly migratory waterfowl during the winter and early spring. In the American River watershed and contains the headwaters of the Granite and Shingle creek headwaters that flow into the south fork American River. Located in the American River watershed, Wakamatsu Farm is a stunning agricultural and natural landscape with a mosaic of springs, streams, wetlands, and oak woodlands. Picturesque ponds and scenic natural features attract migratory species while sustaining year-round wildlife. As a land trust and conservation non-profit organization, ARC is equally dedicated to preserving the natural, agricultural, and extraordinary cultural resources of the land in perpetuity. Wakamatsu Farm is ARC’s flagship property where the Conservancy’s three pillars of conservation, stewardship, and education come alive and invite an international community that extends across American and to Japan.
The Experience:	The natural, agricultural, and cultural resources have a wide appeal to folks from poets to scientists. We also offer many educational opportunities for people of all ages on the property.
Wildlife and Where to Find It:	Water birds, raptors, and typical farm familiars like blue birds, also all forms of riparian wildlife along oak woodland regulars like fox, coyote, skunk, bats, and occasionally the odd mountain lion or bear. You can find an extensive list on Ebird at https://ebird.org/hotspot/L3487536
Viewing Tips:	I think it's pretty typical of most places in Sierra foothills, meaning animals are most active at dusk and dawn.
Site Notes:	The farm boasts a 1.5-mile wheelchair accessible lake loop trail containing basically every type of ecosystem in the Sierra foothills region. The site is very picturesque.
Nearby Viewing Sites:	Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, also where we have our office and nature center Loon Lake/Crystal Basin Recreation Area Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, Willow Creek
Festivals & Events:	Please refer to www.ARConservancy.org for our many programs, including many events at Wakamatsu Farm.
Visitor Information:	www.ARConservancy.org/wakamatsu - 530-621-1224 -
Viewing Site Hours of Operation are:
Staff On-site:	No
Open:	Varies
Hours:
Year Round:
Seasonal:	See event calendar for Open Farm Days, which happen 12 times per year during spring and fall months.
Road Information:	Gravel.  Dirt.
	Road Hazards:
	Number of Parking Spaces: 150
	Parking Fee: No
	Proximity to viewing area:Nearby
	Pull-Through Parking: No
	Parking Notes: The parking area is unpaved, gravel, located behind the green gate approximately 100 yards north of the white farmhouse and barn. Parking is only open during schedule events or volunteer workdays.
How to Get There:	Highway 50 to Placerville Drive, north to Cold Springs Road, soon after intersection of Gold Hill Road on the right. If you reach Coloma, you've gone too far.
Contact Information
Managing Agency:	American River Conservancy/Wakamatsu Farm
Agency Site URL:
Physical Address:	P.O. Box 562 , CA	Agency 2:	Coloma, CA 95613
Manager Phone:		Contact Us:	by Email
Site Phone:	5306211224
County:	El Dorado
Addition Website:	www.ARConservancy.org