Dear Friend of the Kern River Preserve,

Possibilities… what are the possibilities on your visit to the South Fork Valley? House upon house, road after road, a patchwork of manicured lawns, a sprinkling of only a dozen visible stars, the giant “Super-Mart” down the street, and neighbors you never meet. No, no, no!

With your help, this will never happen. Today the possibilities in the South Fork Valley remain as they always have been:

Visiting historical buildings that creak in the wind of moments long ago past.

Listening to the sneezy whit of the Willow Flycatcher, the lilting song of the Yellow Warbler, or a cricket and tree frog serenade with the soft bubbling of the Kern River in the background.

Catching a glimpse of the festive Summer Tanager or the brilliant Blue Grosbeak.

Looking up to see the Milky Way stretching across the dark sky of the South Fork Valley. 

There is so much to see and do in this special place because of your previous support.

105 acres of prime riparian habitat protected with the acquisition of Alexander Ranch.

1877 acre Scodie Canyon above Onyx newly protected by the CA Dept. of Fish & Game (DFG).

Invasive purple loosestrife and salt cedar removed by Audubon and DFG staff and volunteers.

Volunteer events such as bird feeding, festivals, and nature walks. 

The beginnings of a new southwestern pond turtle headstart project.

Ongoing research by the Southern Sierra Research Station on the Willow Flycatcher.

New plants and animals discovered and documented with new and updated brochures.

Stewardship and Restoration begun on our new Sprague Ranch addition (4,400 ac) with planting of  over 500 trees and shrubs by Audubon, DFG staff and volunteers.

So many wonderful educational activities and conservation efforts continue at the preserve, all because of you! We ask for your donation twice each year to invite you to share in the accomplishments of the protection of this beautiful and abundant valley. Please accept our deepest thanks and our hope that you will continue to support and visit your Kern River Preserve.

YOU ARE INVITED! We would like to invite you to a very special event here at the Kern River Preserve. You are invited to be our guests at the upcoming 13th Annual Kern River Valley Spring Nature Festival to be held April 27-30th. The featured keynote speakers for this "NatureFest" are Fred Heath, author of Butterflies of Southern California and Alison Sheehey, Outreach Coordinator for the Kern River Preserve. Both will be leading field trips and conducting workshops. We would love to pack the Preserve with our Friends and show you our appreciation for your support.

THANKS! Thanks for your support, past and present. You are highly appreciated.

Thank you,

Reed Tollefson                                                                Alison Sheehey           

Preserve Manager                                                           Outreach Coordinator    

P.S.: The Kern River Preserve needs and wants your contribution so we can continue to work effectively on your behalf. We want to survive and prosper. The contribution form is found here. We look forward to a record response from you, our Friends of the Kern River Preserve. Thanks!