The Butte Valley Preserve and Green Burial Cemetery located in Butte County, California is a multi-faceted resource management program, consisting of three main components:

 

1. Conservation easement aimed at protecting and enhancing natural ecosystems through time;

2. A natural burial ground, commonly known as "green burial", providing a non-toxic and biodegradable cemetery alternative;

3. Sustainable range management plan directed at retaining and enhancing the vernal ecosystems present while achieving an economic return.

 

The project site features 679 acres of annual grassland complex across rolling hills, buttes, ravines, a dry creek, vernal streams and pools, with a diverse variety of flora and fauna including vernal pool fairy and tadpole shrimp. Hydrophytic vegetation in the streams and pools give rise to the importance of maintaining the site for both conservation and grazing purposes.

 

KLA has been leading a multi-disciplinary team in developing a masterplan of the site to establish vehicular and pedestrian movements based on the natural topography and setback requirements, while taking advantage of the strong views and vistas of the landscape.

 

KLA is also working on landscape design for the site's Welcome Center, including circulation routes, open space areas that mimic the traditional agricultural patterns of the area, and the programmable exterior spaces immediately adjacent to the Welcome Center. The Welcome Center will be the gateway of the site experience through the integration of interior and exterior spaces that give a sense of openness, splendor and wonder of the natural world. Exquisite views of the topography, Buttes, and stands of Willow will be readily available from the Welcome Center.

 

 

Ecological Planning and Preservation

Butte County, California