STORIES FROM THE WILDLANDS CONSERVANCY
Strengthening the Oaks of Santa Margarita River Trail Preserve
At the Santa Margarita River Trail Preserve, The Wildlands Conservancy is working to protect one of California’s most iconic ecosystems — its oak woodlands. Towering coast live oaks shade the river corridor and sustain countless species, but these majestic trees are under threat from the Golden Spotted Oak Borer(GSOB), a non-native beetle devastating oaks across Southern California.
This local effort is part of The Wildlands Conservancy’s larger commitment to oak conservation.
To safeguard the future of these vital trees, our team is planting new generations of coast live and Engelmann oaks, diversifying age, size, and species to build long-term resilience. Each sapling grown from acorns collected on the Preserve represents hope for a thriving, healthy woodland for generations to come.
Five Years After the Fire: Restoration and Renewal at Whitewater Preserve
This past August marked five years since a wildfire swept through Whitewater Preserve, transforming its lush riparian habitat into charred earth. In the immediate aftermath, the damage felt overwhelming. Today, the landscape tells a different story. Beneath the new growth of sugar bushes, mesquites, and catclaws, blackened branches remain as quiet reminders of the past — but the land has largely been renewed.
Through the dedication of volunteers, staff, and generous supporters, thousands of hours went into planting trees, removing invasives, and rebuilding essential infrastructure.
Today, Whitewater Preserve is once again alive with flowing water, birdsong, and students exploring the outdoors. This recovery is a testament to community stewardship and ecological resilience — proof that when people come together to care for the land, nature responds.
Birds of the Whitewater Preserve: Sora By Steve Myers
As autumn settles in, Whitewater Preserve becomes a seasonal haven for the Sora, a shy marsh bird more often heard than seen. In our newest feature, you’ll discover how these remarkable travelers journey thousands of miles each year to return to the safety of our wetlands. Their presence reminds us that even the quietest corners of the Preserve are connected to a greater story of migration and renewal.
Wings Over Sonoma: Raptor Migration in the Sonoma Coast
Each fall, the Sonoma Coast bursts to life as migrating raptors fill the sky. Hawks, eagles, and falcons ride the coastal winds, circling above the golden prairie. Visitors can witness hundreds of birds in motion — a breathtaking seasonal spectacle along the Pacific Flyway.
Coho Salmon Return to Jenner Headlands!
For the first time in decades, something truly special is happening at Russian Gulch Creek in Jenner Headlands Preserve — juvenile coho salmon have returned. These tiny, silvery fish are making their way through the cool, clear waters of the creek, a place the species hasn’t been seen in generations.
Their return didn’t happen by chance. It’s the result of years of care and commitment from The Wildlands Conservancy and our partners, who have worked steadily to restore the creek’s natural flow, improve habitat, and remove barriers so these endangered salmon could once again find their way home.
Seeing young coho here again is a hopeful sign for the health of our coastal watersheds and for all the life they support. It’s proof that when we nurture the land and water, nature responds in remarkable ways.
A Mosaic of Stewardship
In A Mosaic of Stewardship, Four Corners Regional Director Dave Herrero reflects on how conservation thrives when many stewards work together. Like pieces of a landscape mosaic, each role strengthens the whole, ensuring that ecosystems remain resilient, connected, and alive for future generations.
Wildfire Prevention at Wind Wolves Preserve
Wildfire prevention is a top priority at our 93,000-acre Wind Wolves Preserve, and The Wildlands Conservancy is taking a practical approach. With support from CAL FIRE, targeted grazing helps reduce flammable dry grasses while supporting native plants, pollinators, and wildlife.
Restoring the Eel River Estuary: A Landmark restoration Project
In Humboldt County, The Wildlands Conservancy and partners are preparing a 530-acre tidal restoration — the largest ever on private land on the West Coast. This effort will bring back historic fish runs, reconnect tidal channels, and strengthen the entire ecosystem against climate change.
Return of the Southern Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog at Bluff Lake
At Bluff Lake Reserve, The Wildlands Conservancy and partners are reintroducing the critically endangered Southern Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog, with the largest release yet in August 2025. Habitat improvements are also supporting other species like the Unarmored Threespine Stickleback, helping restore a fully functioning ecosystem.
Partnering for Conservation: OBA at Jenner Headlands and Seawood Cape
The Wildlands Conservancy believes deeply in connecting people with nature in transformative ways. That’s why our longstanding partnership with Outward Bound Adventures (OBA) is one we’re proud to celebrate.
Since 1962, OBA has been a national leader in outdoor education, dedicated to diversifying the outdoors and equipping BIPOC youth with the skills, confidence, and perspective to become conservation leaders. This summer, we were honored to welcome OBA back to our Sonoma and North Coast preserves.
Learning Outside the Classroom
This past school year, The Wildlands Conservancy’s Outdoor Discovery Program transformed the California desert into a vibrant classroom for 2,626 students across 36 schools, with 67 field trips led through stunning canyon trails and riverside habitats. Thanks to $7,300 in transportation funding from generous partners, these immersive experiences remained free and accessible to all.
Birds of the Whitewater Preserve: Common Yellowthroat
Sharp-eyed visitors to Whitewater Preserve may spot a seasonal resident that thrives in dense vegetation: the Common Yellowthroat.
In his latest Field Notes entry, ornithologist Stephen Myers explores the unique behaviors of this elusive wood-warbler. Wondering how it copes with desert heat, what its distinctive calls sound like, or where you're most likely to catch a glimpse?
Read on to discover more about the Common Yellowthroat.
Summer Safety Across the Preserve System
Summer invites us to wander, explore, and reconnect with nature — and there’s no better place to do that than across the breathtaking preserves of The Wildlands Conservancy. But with soaring temperatures, active wildlife, and wildfire risks, a safe adventure begins with a bit of preparation.
Continue reading to learn how to enjoy the wild responsibly and safely this summer.
Land Return to the Esselen Tribe Moves Forward in Monterey County
We’re proud to share that a meaningful milestone is on the horizon: 1,720 acres of ancestral land along Tularcitos Creek are in the final stages of being returned to the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County. The transfer — restoring the land to Esselen stewardship — is expected to be completed by mid-July.
Oak Glen Docent Spotlight
Meet the passionate volunteers who help connect people to nature at Oak Glen Preserve—and learn how you can be part of The Wildlands Conservancy’s mission.
Bluff Lake Conservation Updates
Endangered frogs, rare wildflowers, and a fish that raises its own young—click through for the latest on Bluff Lake Reserve’s rewilding efforts.
Partners in Preservation: The Fallbrook Trails Council
Long before The Wildlands Conservancy became stewards of the Santa Margarita River Trail Preserve, local volunteers were already hard at work. Since 1999, the Fallbrook Trails Council (FTC), now a nonprofit, has played a vital role in protecting and maintaining this beloved river corridor— home to endangered species and 18 miles of scenic trails.
Opening New Lands to the Public, the Right Way
At The Wildlands Conservancy, we believe the best way to protect nature is to ensure people can experience it — with love, thoughtfulness, and a commitment to its long-term care.
This belief guides everything we do as we work to provide well-managed, free public access to the lands we’ve conserved. That’s why we’re preparing to open four new preserves to the public: Estero Americano Coast Preserve, Eel River Canyon Preserve, Rana Creek Preserve, and Enchanted Rocks Preserve. These extraordinary places — rugged canyons, desert mesas, quiet estuaries, and sublime interior ecosystems — have long been off-limits, but soon they’ll be open to all. As we prepare these landscapes for free access, we’re doing it the right way: with community, care, and stewardship.
Wild Ventura: Protecting the Sespe Foothills
We’re working to protect over 4,200 acres of vital wildlife habitat and creating new public access near Ventura County.
More than 1.5 million children live within a 90-minute drive of the Sespe Foothills, many from communities that face barriers to outdoor access. Once protected, these lands will offer free public access and outdoor education opportunities — inviting students, families, and visitors to hike, learn, and connect with nature close to home.
How Birds Help Us Understand the Health of Our Forests
Can a songbird tell us if a forest is healthy?
It turns out, it can. Across four preserves in Sonoma County, birdlife is helping conservation scientists track the impacts of forest management designed to build wildfire resilience. The presence, or absence, of certain bird species with specific habitat requirements offers insight into the resilience and biodiversity of these landscapes.