STORIES FROM THE WILDLANDS CONSERVANCY
Rewilding the Landscape
Nearly lost to history, tule elk now thrive once more at Wind Wolves Preserve—and their story isn’t over. Learn how The Wildlands Conservancy and partners are helping this species reclaim its ancestral range.
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.
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.
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.
Rewilding: A Pathway to Restoring Balance and Biodiversity
As we face the challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change, the concept of rewilding has emerged as a beacon of hope. Rewilding is a conservation strategy which involves restoring natural processes and reintroducing native species to their original habitats — it’s a transformative movement aimed at healing our planet. One of The Wildlands Conservancy’s most inspiring rewilding stories is the reintroduction of tule elk at Wind Wolves Preserve.
Putting the Wild Back in Wild Lands
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.
Tule Elk at Wind Wolves Preserve
Tule elk are one of three subspecies of elk found in California, and are the smallest of all elk species in North America. In 1998, The Wildlands Conservancy coordinated with the California Department of Fish and Game to relocate tule elk to Wind Wolves Preserve.
Continue reading to learn more about what how The Wildlands Conservancy has successfully reintroduced this majestic species.