Wind Wolves Preserve

The preserve is an ecologically unique region where the Transverse Ranges, Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada, western Mojave Desert and San Joaquin Valley converge. Due to elevation ranging from 640 to 6,005 feet, the preserve has an impressive array of landforms and habitats that serve as a critical landscape linkage and wildlife corridor between the Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada. At 95,000 acres, Wind Wolves is the west coast's largest non-profit preserve. An important conservation outcome of TWC's ownership is that TWC led a Tejon Ranch Working Group of conservation organizations that resulted in a plan to double the target amount of conserved land on the neighboring Tejon Ranch to over 230,000 acres.

Tule elk were reintroduced to the Wind Wolves Preserve, the southern most extension of their historic range. The elk herd has grown to more than 200 elk and the California Department of Fish and Game estimates the preserve can support up to 2,500 elk. Currently the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is placing stillborn calves on the preserve for the California Condor, which can be seen regularly. When the elk herd reaches 2,000, elk will die weekly of attrition, which will aid the condors in becoming free living once more.

On the San Joaquin Valley floor, the preserve is a 30-square-mile veritable sea of grasslands with remnant stands of saltbush. These grasslands are home to the endangered San Joaquin kit fox and blunt-nosed leopard lizard, and one of the largest stands of the endangered Bakersfield cactus. Rolling grasslands rise from the valley floor and transition into classic California blue oak and valley oak savanna with extensive riparian wetlands. The oak savanna rises into juniper and pinyon forests that ascend into stands of ponderosa pine and big cone spruce.

Visitor Opportunities

At Wind Wolves, The Wildlands Conservancy offers free outdoor education programs in which over 120,000 children have participated. The Wind Wolves Preserve is open to the public daily from 9 am to 5 pm for hiking and picnicking. Campground hours are from Friday after 2:30 pm through 5 pm Sunday by advanced reservation. There are seasonal wildflower and wildlife viewing tours by vehicles. For more information, call 661.858.1115.

Upcoming Activities

All programs are offered at no charge to participants. Reservations are required. To RSVP, call Wind Wolves Preserve at 661.858.1115, or e-mail your request to windwolvespreserve@twc-ca.org.

**SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES UPDATE: The Full Moon Hike scheduled for Friday, March 29, 2013, has been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Volunteer Restoration Days
Get involved in conservation work by helping preserve staff with native plantings, invasive species removal, trail maintenance, and more! All ages welcome. Please contact the Wind Wolves Preserve for upcoming volunteer opportunities and information

Family Wildflower & Wildlife Hike
Naturalist led hike introduces visitors to the natural history and ecology of Wind Wolves Preserve.

Full Moon Guided Hike
Enjoy the beauty of the San Emigdio Canyon by moonlight while learning about the nighttime creatures that make their home along the trails.

Family Nature Hike & Survival Safety Skills for Children
Guided hike introduces families to the plants and animals along the trail while teaching young children survival safety skills through hands-on activities and demonstrations.

EarthArt for All Ages
Calling all artists to Behold the Beauty
Celebrate Earth Day by creating EarthArt from the natural materials found on the Preserve. Artists of all ages will collect materials on a short guided nature hike and then assemble their own unique artwork at designated sites within the Preserve. All artwork will remain on display at the Preserve for future viewing.

Access

16019 Maricopa Hwy.
Bakersfield, CA 93311
661.858.1115

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