Bluff Lake Conservation Updates
The Widllands Conservancy + San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance at Bluff Lake
Bluff Lake is once again becoming a sanctuary for rare and endangered species, thanks to exciting restoration work and dedicated partners!
Rewilding the Southern Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog
In late June, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance will release 200–240 critically endangered southern mountain yellow-legged frogs into Bluff Lake, building on the successful reintroduction of 74 frogs released in 2023 after a 72-year absence.
These aren’t ordinary frogs. Rescued from near-extinction, they’ve been raised in aquaria and display some truly wild traits: they echo-locate underwater like whales and can change color in minutes to match their surroundings.
“Marvels of Nature! We’re witnessing the comeback of a lifetime—and we’re just getting started.” says Conservation Director Tim Krantz.
Each frog is microchipped and tracked by a solar-powered array and underwater sensors, allowing researchers to monitor individual movements and survival.
Native Fish & Habitat Work
Another rare species— the unarmored three-spine stickleback— was given a second chance last fall when 200 were reintroduced to Bluff Lake. Their former habitat, a small pond in Shay Meadow, was devastated during the heavy winter of 2023, when feral burros broke through the enclosure, wallowing and contaminating the site.
These tiny native fish, growing no longer than three inches, are as resilient as they are fascinating. Conservation Director Tim Krantz explains:
“The little sticklebacks are peculiar in that the males do all the ‘child rearing’—creating a little nest on the sandy pond bottom. The female swims by, deposits her eggs, and the male nurtures and protects the young.”
This summer, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is closely monitoring the sticklebacks’ adaptation to their new home and we’re working to improve their habitat through:
Placement of native boulders to provide shelter and spawning areas
Meadow restoration in areas affected by the 2023 Line Fire
Together, these efforts are creating a more resilient aquatic ecosystem, reflecting The Wildlands Conservancy's mission to protect the beauty and biodiversity of the Earth.
Federally endangered Big Bear checkerbloom at Bluff Lake Reserve