The Lahontan Audubon Society describes it as "a nearly unspoiled wetland in the midst of suburban housing and warehouses" and designates it a Nevada Important Bird Area.

[1] The Swan Lake Nature Study Area consists of over 1,800 acres (7 km2) of land, with water supplied by the nearby Reno/Stead Sewage Treatment Plant.

The lead organization in planning and creating the conservation area was the Nevada Army National Guard, which contributed about 360 acres (1.5 km2) and performed preliminary ecological studies.

Other sponsoring organizations include: the Bureau of Land Management; the City of Reno; the Lahontan Audubon Society; Nevada Division of Wildlife; the Nevada Land Conservancy; Washoe County Parks and Recreation Department; and Washoe County School District.

[2] Swan Lake is located in the midst of the rapidly developing suburbs of Stead and Lemmon Valley, near Peavine Peak north of Reno.