A native to California, Kat has a deep respect and reverence for nature. Originally from San Diego, Kat studied fish, wildlife, and conservation biology at Colorado State University. Before attending university, she always dreamt of becoming a large animal veterinarian. However, through her ecology studies, she came to understand the connection between habitat degradation and animal extinction, a significant realization that altered her life path. “If I can restore the habitat, then the animals can restore themselves,” Kat says.

As many know, California saw profound impacts from Hurricane Hillary and The Wildlands Conservancy’s California Desert Preserves were no exception. As we rebuild, we are provided with an opportunity to reflect on the incredible resilience the preserves have shown in over two decades of fires, floods and a global pandemic. It is clearer now more than ever that our resilience is a direct reflection of the love we all share for these wonderful places and our dedication to sharing them with those that need them most.

While the term “rewilding” is growing in popularity, it’s not a novel concept at The Wildlands Conservancy. Our latest success is unfolding at Bluff Lake Reserve where we’ve reintroduced two critically endangered species, the unarmored three-spine stickelback and the mountain yellow-legged frog, revitalizing the hope of a future for these creatures.

Gazing up from Cottonwood Wash, multi-hued sandstone walls, frozen red and white rainbow layers, patinated with desert varnish, seize your attention, drawing your eyes as they rise hundreds of feet to where they suddenly meet impossibly blue skies. Wind and water, working together with time, have sculpted dizzying heights, angular features, and sheer surfaces.

“This is the best day ever!” A child shouts with joy as they return to the school bus after a long day of adventure on the trails.

Nearly every day during the school year you can visit Oak Glen, Whitewater, or Wind Wolves Preserve and be met with similar exclamations, with the sight of small groups of excited children, energy barely contained by their teachers and chaperones, gathered around a naturalist or docent who is guiding their exploration of the natural world. For many, our free Outdoor Discovery Program is their first experience connecting with nature that is not their own backyard or neighborhood park.

Dan DeKimpe embraces The Wildlands Conservancy mission to create access to nature through his funding of important public access projects each year. To ramp up his giving and really “move the needle,” he set a goal of 25x25: funding 25 projects by 2025.

The Wildlands Conservancy’s Experimental Oak Woodlands Preservation Project is a statewide Climate Action designed to address the decline of multiple oak species throughout all or a significant portion of their ranges because of land development, overgrazing, wildfires, non-native invasive species, oak pathogens, prolonged drought, and other impacts associated with climate change.