Doolan Canyon Habitat Mitigation Bank

Doolan Canyon, located in Alameda County, serves as a vital ecological corridor and open-space buffer between Dublin and Livermore directly south of the Doolan Canyon Regional Preserve. The Doolan Canyon Conservation Bank was established to permanently protect rare native species and natural open space habitats and is located within a Priority Conservation Zone of the East Alameda County Conservation Strategy.

Ecosystem Investment Partners (EIP) partnered with the Natural Resources Group (NRG) to establish and operate the Doolan Canyon Conservation Bank, ensuring the permanent protection of over 1,100 acres of diverse habitat, including rolling grasslands, vernal pools, wetlands, riparian and other sensitive habitats. This upland habitat is critical for California red-legged frog, California tiger salamander, golden eagle, San Joaquin kit fox, and western burrowing owl. The site’s wetland resources provide breeding habitat for California red-legged frog and California tiger salamander, as well as 1600 LSAA credits for ephemeral pool, ephemeral stream, ephemeral tributary, ephemeral marsh, and perennial marsh.

The conservation easement prohibits development and enshrines managed grazing as a cornerstone of the land’s stewardship. Grazing reduces the buildup of dead plant material, limits invasive species, and encourages the growth of native plants—sustaining plant community diversity and productivity while preserving habitat quality for a wide range of species.

The initiative aligns with California’s robust regulatory framework, including the Endangered Species Act (ESA), California Endangered Species Act (CESA), and the East Alameda County Conservation Strategy (EACCS), all of which drive demand for mitigation credits and multi-species habitat protection. EIP manages the bank in partnership with Natural Resources Group (NRG), releasing credits as endowment funding is secured. With active demand and ongoing negotiations for its conservation credits, the bank is well positioned to meet the region’s mitigation needs for residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects.

Through this collaborative effort, Doolan Canyon continues to thrive as a vibrant landscape where native species flourish, open space is preserved for future generations, and the region’s ecological integrity is strengthened. The project stands as a testament to how strategic investment and thoughtful land management can deliver lasting environmental and community benefits.