Wind Wolves Preserve

The preserve lies at the southern edge of the Central Valley, where the land rises into the Transverse Ranges. It includes the San Emigdio Mountains and Pleito Hills, with elevations ranging from 640 feet (200 m) to 6,005 feet (1,830 m).^[2] Terrain within the preserve varies from grasslands near the valley floor to woodlands and montane habitats at higher elevations.^[2]

Several canyons cut through the property. San Emigdio Canyon is developed for visitor access and includes riparian sections along San Emigdio Creek. Riparian habitat restoration has been carried out along Pleitito Creek, including native plantings to support wildlife habitat.^[5] Santiago Canyon restoration projects have involved removal of invasive salt cedar and replanting of native species.^[6]

Wind Wolves Preserve, together with nearby conserved lands such as Tejon Ranch and the Frank and Joan Randall Preserve, forms part of a regional wildlife corridor that links the Sierra Nevada and Coast Range.^[7][8] The South Coast Missing Linkages plan mentions the preserve as part of the Tehachapi, Santa Monica–Sierra Madre, and Sierra Madre–Castaic connections.^[9]

Wind Wolves Preserve includes grasslands, oak savanna, riparian wetlands, pinyon, juniper, and conifer forests.^[10] Wildlife includes tule elk and tricolored blackbirds.^[11][12]

Surveys documented plant, animal, and bird species at the preserve, including several sensitive species.^[13][14][15]

The preserve supports a large population of tule elk. In 1998, 19 elk were translocated by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the first of 88 elk reintroduced between 1998 and 2005. Inventories are conducted each fall with the help of volunteer teams who survey different areas of the preserve. In 2022, 445 elk were counted.^[11][16]

The preserve also hosts California condors.^[17] In the late 1990s, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service planned to release 6 California condors to restore the population at the preserve,^[18][19] but the neighboring Tejon Ranch sued to stop the release.^[20]

In 2015, thousands of tricolored blackbirds were observed nesting at the preserve.^[12] Wetland restoration has supported more than 5,000 nesting pairs along Pleito Creek.^[5]

Endangered species recorded at the preserve include the Buena Vista Lake shrew, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, and the Bakersfield cactus.^[21][22] A study examined conservation done for the Bakersfield cactus.^[23] A 2011 assessment identified the preserve as a potential site for reintroduction of the endangered San Joaquin kit fox based on habitat extent and landscape connectivity.^[24]

The preserve contains Native American archaeological sites. Pleito is a Chumash rock art site associated with the Rock art of the Chumash people. Cache Cave contains artifacts.^[25][26]

Research at these sites has used noninvasive techniques to study pigments, superimposed paintings, and fragile basketry. Methods include portable X-ray fluorescence, reflectance transformation imaging, and 3D scanning.^[27][28] At the Three Springs rockshelter, analysis identified "Emigdiano Blue", a visual effect produced by combining black and white materials rather than a true blue mineral pigment.^[29]

A research project ("Unravelling the Gordian Knot") combined pXRF, Raman spectroscopy, photogrammetry, and other methods to analyze Pleito's superimposed imagery and create a detailed 3D model.^[30] Researchers later developed a virtual-reality platform that allowed archaeologists, land managers, and Native American stakeholders to examine Pleito's imagery remotely.^[31] At one time the preserve provided headsets for visitors to explore the sites virtually.^[32][33]

Archaeological research at Pinwheel Cave in the Tehachapi foothills examined evidence of hallucinogenic use in rock art contexts.^[34]

The San Emigdio region has been inhabited for thousands of years. Both the Chumash and Yokuts used the canyons and hills for settlement, travel, and cultural activities.^[35] In the 1820s, El Camino Viejo, the original inland route between San Francisco and Los Angeles, passed through the area.^[36] In 1842, the land was included in the Mexican land grant of Rancho San Emidio, later associated with figures such as John C. Frémont.^[37] From the mid-19th century through the 1990s, the property was operated as a cattle ranch.

In 1996, The Wildlands Conservancy acquired the property and opened it to the public as Wind Wolves Preserve. The name "Wind Wolves" refers to the visual effect of tall grasses bending and parting in gusts of wind, resembling unseen animals running across the slopes.^[38] Livestock grazing has continued on portions of the land following the acquisition.

Lightning ignited a fire in the Pleito Hills in 2011, damaging populations of the endangered Bakersfield cactus. Restoration efforts included replanting cactus at the burned site and establishing new populations. In 2021, the Wolf Fire burned 685 acres (277 ha) of grassland but was quickly contained through ground and air response.^[39][40]

Later in 2021, a conservation easement was placed on 14,631 acres (59.21 km²) of the preserve, monitored by the California Rangeland Trust. The easement formalized ongoing seasonal cattle grazing on these lands, with approximately 3,500 head reported.^[41][42][43]

The Wildflower Loop and Redtail Trail are short loop trails.^[44][45] The San Emigdio Canyon Trail follows a creek and provides some shade.^[44] Raven's Landing and the Tule Elk Overlook provide views of San Emigdio Canyon and toward the Los Padres Mountains.^[44][4] The Reflection Pond Trail leads to a dry pond area with exposed sandstone.^[44]

Visitor facilities include campgrounds, picnic areas, gazebos, stone restrooms, and ponds. A small waterfall is located near the main trailhead.^[44][36]

The preserve offers outdoor education programs. Since 1996, more than 157,000 students in Kern County, California have participated.^[12]

Programs serve K–12 students and include topics such as Native American lifeways, ecology, wetland ecosystems, and geology.^[46]

The Science Sleuths program provides nature-based activities for children ages 10 and up.^[47]

The Spring Nature Festival is a two-day annual event featuring guided hikes, wildlife presentations, educational booths hosted by regional organizations, and wildflower viewing.^[48][49]

The preserve also hosts a variety of seasonal programs and community events, including family programs, educational workshops, and volunteer activities.^[50]

• "Carmel Valley's Newest Preserve and Kern County's Tule Elk". OpenRoad. Episode 92. April 7, 2024. NBC Bay Area. Retrieved May 5, 2024.

• List of The Wildlands Conservancy preserves