Meet San Bernardino Mountains Preserve Manager: Jesus solares
Jesus Solares, Preserve Manager at Bluff Lake Reserve
“Walking daily through Bearpaw Reserve breathing in the sweet scent of native flowers, spotting wildlife, and gazing at the majestic mountains is a gentle reminder of my passion for conservation. Nature’s embrace calms me and reinforces the need for preserving it.”
A native Californian from the heart of the Coachella Valley, Jesus Solares was raised in a small desert town called Thousand Palms. As a kid, he has fond memories hiking Coachella Valley Preserve with his mother.
“Strolling along the boardwalk, gazing up at the towering palm trees sparked my interest in the great outdoors. During our trek, we would marvel at a colossal palm tree, listen to the soothing flow of water through the sands, and enjoy the beauty of the birds hovering around us. Amidst the symphony of nature, my mom shared the vital lesson of respecting and preserving our natural world. From then on I was hooked on nature’s wonders,” Jesus says.
Throughout childhood, Jesus recalls watching programs such as “The Blue Planet” and Steve Irwin’s “The Crocodile Hunter '', which left a lasting impression on him and ignited a passion for safeguarding wildlife and natural habitats. When he left home for university, he headed up north to attend Humboldt State University and study wildlife biology. Of course, one’s life path is never linear and so was the case for Jesus.
“Towards the end of my first year at Humboldt I realized there were challenges in finding a well-paying career in conservation. This led me to change my major to business finance and transfer to California State University San Bernardino. However, after graduation and internships, I discovered my passion lay beyond crunching numbers in a cubicle. Following my heart and taking a leap of faith, I diverted away from a business career and dived right into the field of conversation by taking a job with the Urban Conservation Corp. Working there reignited my love and passion for conservation.”
Jesus joined the Wildlands team in 2022 as preserve manager for the San Bernardino Mountains Region. To date, one of his favorite projects since working for Wildlands has been rewilding the critically endangered southern mountain yellow-legged frog at Bluff Lake Reserve.
“This experience was beyond words and the feeling was monumental. I always dreamed of playing a part in helping an endangered species bounce back from the brink of extinction and working with Wildlands has made this dream come true,” says Jesus.
Jesus lives full time in the San Bernardino Mountains, his favorite season being spring when the wildflowers burst into bloom, painting the landscape in a myriad of colors.
“Everywhere you look, wildlife is buzzing around you,” he says.
“Living and working at our mountain preserves allows me to be in close proximity to wildlife, an experience that is unique considering we’re located in Southern California. Bear and deer sightings are almost a weekly occurrence, and working in our botanic garden exposes me to a variety of hummingbird species. The ponds at Oak Glen are an excellent spot for migratory ducks that I always enjoy seeing during a late afternoon hike.”
Since joining Wildlands, Jesus has developed a love and passion for native flowers and gardening and the vital role native plants play in our ecosystem.
“Native plants are essential for numerous pollinators, birds, and mammal species, providing them with food and shelter. Not only are they critical for supporting a web of life, native plants add a stunning visual element! So many colors are in full bloom in spring and they transform a dull landscape to one rich in an array of vibrant colors,” Jesus says.
Jesus has a long list of favorite native plants including: showy penstemon, firecracker penstemon, California fuschia, fuschia flowered gooseberry, California wild rose, leopard lily, scarlet bugler, apricot mallow, white sage and rose sage.
“Starting a native garden is not only simple but also a great way to conserve water in the long term. California native plants need significantly less water compared to lawns or non-native varieties commonly found at home improvement stores. Native flowers offer a wide range of benefits, including creating habitats and a food source for local pollinators and birds. By planting native species that bloom different times of the year, you can ensure your garden remains vibrant. Also, you don’t need a large yard to create a native garden; some native plants do quite well in containers. For instance, white sage and common yarrow can flourish in pots. Whether transforming a lawn into a native garden or simply potting native plants, you are supporting a web of life,” shares Jesus.
In Jesus’s free time, when he doesn’t have his nose in a book, he loves to spend his days fishing and hiking —
“Venturing on a backcountry hike, perched on a rock, witnessing breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. It’s in those serene moments, all worries vanish, leaving me to enjoy the present moment,” says Jesus.
