Programs

Programs

Audubon Kern River Preserve works to protect habitat in the Southern Sierra Nevada, especially in Kern County, California. Audubon and its partners have protected more than 51,000 acres for the benefit of biodiversity and future generations who find nature compelling without the desire to consume every inch of it.
Migrant Corner. Photo: Alison Sheehey
Programs

Programs

Audubon Kern River Preserve works to protect habitat in the Southern Sierra Nevada, especially in Kern County, California. Audubon and its partners have protected more than 51,000 acres for the benefit of biodiversity and future generations who find nature compelling without the desire to consume every inch of it.

Conservation through Acquisition

Audubon has pursued key acquisitions during the past thirty years, guided by a conservation planning that identified important parcels to protect through fee acquisition or conservation easements. Armed with support from private and public sources, Audubon and our public partners continue to make significant strides on this front.

Land Stewardship and Monitoring

We currently manage close to 4,000 acres of land and work closely with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife on managing their 6,808 acres in the Kern River Valley. With collaboration from local ranchers and water users, we exercise our water rights and utilize managed grazing for the benefit of wildlife. Audubon has also a leading role in helping to identify and eradicate invasive weeds with private landowners and public land managers. Research and monitoring on wildlife and the natural environment are critical in building our knowledge base for making better management decisions and identifying protection opportunities. The Kern River Preserve has a valuable partner with the Southern Sierra Research Station (SSRS). Audubon also coordinates with graduate students from various universities, private consulting fi rms, and volunteers with research experience to study the natural diversity and ecological functions of this area.

Connecting People with Nature

The Kern River Preserve has become a center for local residents wanting to enjoy solitude, visitors coming to the region for birding and nature festivals or volunteers planting trees to help restore native habitat. The Preserve also holds work days where volunteers help with habitat restoration, stewardship and educational events. Volunteers contribute hundreds of hours of service valued at thousands each year.

How you can help, right now