THE KERN RIVER PRESERVE

Situated on the north side of Highway 178, in Weldon, the National Audubon Society-California's Kern River Preserve protects 1,127 acres of lush riparian forest, meadows and wetlands. The preserve is bisected by the Kern Valleys South Fork Kern River and surrounded by the mountains within Sequoia National Forest. The preserve protects part of California's largest remaining Fremont cottonwood and red willow lowland riparian forest.

The lower 14 miles of the South Fork Kern River, with the Kern River Preserve at its heart, has earned several recognition's including "Globally Important Bird Area", "National Natural Landmark" and one of four "Flagship Projects" in California's Riparian Habitat Joint Venture.

The area centered on the preserve and the surrounding Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains is home to the largest butterfly (130 species), nesting bird (200+ species) and plant (2000+ species) in North America north of the Mexico/Guatemala border.

A VISIT TO THE KERN RIVER PRESERVE IS A TRIP BACK IN TIME!

The preserve is known throughout the scientific community as the best remaining example of a riparian forest area, with precise and pristine samples of what many wetland areas in California were like before development took place.

It's not hard to imagine how Andrew Brown must have felt when he originally homesteaded the land in the 1860's. Even during the recent triple-digit heat wave, inside the forest it was dark and cool, with the smell of the rich loamy soil almost overpowering. As you walk the nature trail, cut throughout the tall grass and plants, literally hundreds of birds fill the air, flying and calling to one another as if time had been reversed, and the outside modern world did not exist.

For bird watchers, the preserve is a dream come true, with over 240 species already verified as living or migrating through the preserve. Even the casual observer is likely to see a Yellow Billed Cuckoo, or the brilliant iridescent flash of the tiny Blue Grosebeak. The cuckoo comes into the preserve after wintering in the Amazon Basin, and many of the birds you see at the preserve migrate from Central and South America. With a little luck, you might even see one of the more spectacular sights, the Summer Tanninger, known at the preserve as the "flying red neon tomato."

The preserve is home to many are raptors, hawks, owls and eagles, a multitude of song birds, and it also serves as a rookery area for Blue Heron.

Birds are not the only sight at the preserve. Some of the best preserved stands of the Mariposa Lily are found among the greenery and one of the biggest known red willow trees grows along the sloughs.

For those interested in other animal life, the preserve is a storehouse. Sightings of deer, coyote, beaver, ground squirrels and wood rats are not unusual. Occasionally sighted are weasels, black bears and every once in a while, a mountain lion. Raccoons and skunks are included in the list of wildlife at the preserve, and when there is a little water in this portion of the South Fork of the Kern River, carp, suckers and an occasional trout are found in the pools.

What surprises many visitors to the preserve is the amazing diversity and numbers of butterflies. Over 130 types have been collected in the preserve and the surrounding area. A large number of them have been preserved and are on display at the visitors center on the ground of the preserve.

The preserve itself has nature trails, a visitor center, and picnic tables available year round. The preserve hosts field trips and other special events throughout the year. In addition the preserve hosts the Kern River Bioregions Festival held the last weekend of April and the Vulture Festival held the last weekend in September.

The preserve is open to public visitation from dawn to dusk every day of the year including all holidays.

To contact the preserve call (760) 378-2531.