Petersen Ranch Mitgation Bank

Location

Los Angeles County, CA

Resource

Species, Stream, Wetland

Solution

Mitigation Bank

Credit Status

Approved

Nate Bello

Habitat Source

KEY FACTS

Location

  • Los Angeles County, CA

Area

  • 4,000 acres

Key Habitats and Species

  • Alluvial Fan  
  • Stream  
  • Open Water  
  • Riparian  
  • Willows  
  • Cottonwoods  
  • Swainson’s Hawk  
  • Mulefat  
  • Chaparral  
  • Cismontane Woodland  
  • Great Basin Scrub  
  • Riparian  
  • Seeps  
  • Meadows  
  • Marshes  
  • Grassland 

PETERSEN RANCH MITIGATION BANK, a 4,000-acre ecological landmark in Los Angeles County, is California’s largest mitigation bank and a pivotal project for Ecosystem Investment Partners (EIP). Petersen Ranch contains a rare assemblage of ecological diversity—home to thousands of acres of endangered plant and animal species’ habitat, including Swainson’s hawk, burrowing owl, tri-colored blackbird, and coast horned lizard. 

A defining strength of the Petersen Ranch Mitigation Bank is its two distinct sites, each with unique topography and biology. This diversity enables EIP to offer a broad spectrum of mitigation credits by meeting complex regulatory requirements and supporting a wide variety of public and private projects. The demand for these credits is driven by the region’s public infrastructure needs—such as water storage and control, transportation, and renewable energy development in Kern and LA counties—as well as ongoing industrial, commercial, and residential growth. 

EIP’s restoration program at Petersen Ranch included converting former hunting ponds back to natural wet meadow wetlands, restoring the valley floor’s landform, and installing wildlife-friendly infrastructure to support ongoing agricultural use. Thousands of native wetland and riparian plants were integrated into the project’s design, enhancing both ecological function and agricultural productivity. Following a multi‑agency approval process completed in 2015–2016, EIP now stewards the bank and delivers measurable results: restored wetlands and streams, sustainable agriculture operations, and enhanced wildlife corridors. Petersen Ranch’s success is celebrated by agencies and environmental partners as a testament to EIP’s leadership in restoring and protecting California’s natural landscapes for future generations.  

Los Angeles County, California

Petersen Ranch contains a rare assemblage of ecological diversity—home to thousands of acres of endangered plant and animal species’ habitat.

Los Angeles County, CA

Petersen Ranch contains a rare assemblage of ecological diversity—home to thousands of acres of endangered plant and animal species’ habitat.

Los Angeles County, CA

Petersen Ranch contains a rare assemblage of ecological diversity—home to thousands of acres of endangered plant and animal species’ habitat.

Los Angeles County, CA

Petersen Ranch contains a rare assemblage of ecological diversity—home to thousands of acres of endangered plant and animal species’ habitat.

Los Angeles County, CA

Petersen Ranch contains a rare assemblage of ecological diversity—home to thousands of acres of endangered plant and animal species’ habitat.

Los Angeles County, CA

Petersen Ranch contains a rare assemblage of ecological diversity—home to thousands of acres of endangered plant and animal species’ habitat.

Los Angeles County, CA

Petersen Ranch contains a rare assemblage of ecological diversity—home to thousands of acres of endangered plant and animal species’ habitat.

Los Angeles County, CA

Petersen Ranch contains a rare assemblage of ecological diversity—home to thousands of acres of endangered plant and animal species’ habitat.

Los Angeles County, CA

Petersen Ranch contains a rare assemblage of ecological diversity—home to thousands of acres of endangered plant and animal species’ habitat.

partners-veritas

Our Partners

Land Veritas is the original sponsor and longtime steward of the Petersen Ranch Mitigation Bank, helping establish one of California’s most significant conservation and restoration projects. Together, Land Veritas and EIP are advancing landscape-scale habitat restoration, conservation, and long-term stewardship while creating enduring environmental and community benefits. 

partners-tataviam

The Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians are the original stewards of the lands encompassing Petersen Ranch and remain deeply connected to its cultural and ecological heritage. In partnership with EIP and Land Veritas, the Tribe is advancing a shared vision of conservation, restoration, and responsible stewardship for future generations. 

partners-tataviam-land-conservancy

Tataviam Land Conservancy manages and protects culturally significant lands returned to the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, advancing long-term habitat conservation, cultural preservation, and community access. Through its stewardship at Petersen Ranch, the Conservancy helps ensure the land’s ecological and cultural values are protected for future generations.

;