KERN RIVER VALLEY HERITAGE FOUNDATION

As we recently acquired a large wetland in Kern Valley our current focus is the preservation and enhancement of this land. In doing so our mandate is to;
1.Protect and enhance this wetland, called the Hot Springs Valley Wetland Project (HSVWP) which is 222 acres of rare alkali wetland plus upland habitat. The 2nd largest known population of the rare Alkali Mariposa Lily (AML) is found in the Hot Springs Valley and 20,000+ plants were found on the 222 acre HSVWP in May 2017. We also seek to enhance habitat in support of two California Species of Special Concern; Kern Red-winged Blackbird and Tricolored Blackbird. We plan to modify the current grazing regime to enhance the native communities of plants, insects, amphibians, birds and mammals currently on site plus additional species which might be attracted by enhancing the property. In partnership with our biological contractors and other organizations, we have begun to identify and document the species present in this land and have begun to discuss ways in which we can enhance this habitat.
2. Use the property for the benefit of the community and the many visitors to the Kern River Valley. This property is uniquely placed at the edge of the Lake Isabella community allowing close and convenient access to the community and visitors alike. We anticipate designing and establishing trails, interpretive signage, benches and other pre-evaluated infrastructure, that together would allow ease of access compatible with natural resource protection of the property's upland and wetland habitats.
3. To provide a remarkable educational resource for the surroundings schools. We envision utilizing the varied natural resources of the property and its convenience and close proximity to the Kern Valley community as an unsurpassed educational tool. Our vision would be to foster knowledge and appreciation of the diversity of the California landscape that is evident in this wetland on the doorstep of the communities of Bodfish and Lake Isabella at the “Gateway to the Kern River Valley and Southern Sierra Nevada" for residents and visitors from all over California, the U.S., and beyond.

We plan to do the following:
1) Develop and maintain partnerships with like minded agencies and organizations;
2) Develop a broad financial and volunteer support base to assist with all programs to assist with leading educational programs, docent tours, and building and maintenance projects.
3) Maintain an active grant program. We are currently applying for a number of grants from different organizations so as to assist with all aspects of our development
4) Increase our organizational capacity to accommodate project growth. This may require staff, additional board members and sub-committees. 5) Incorporate the use of the property by local schools and organizations as we move forward.

Over the 15+ years of being a non-profit organization, our diverse board has developed a long-term perspective with persistence and patience. At the heart of this perspective is our mandate to protect, manage, administer and preserve lands and other resources in the Kern River Valley possessing natural, cultural or historic properties. During these 15+ years we have reached out and cemented significant partnerships with many government departments at the federal, state and county levels. An example of this are the numerous letters of support from these departments for a recent grant application in June 2017. We have also developed a close relationship with our community which has provided the grassroots funding for our recent land acquisition, without which we may not have been successful in raising additional funds. This persistence and clear-headed drive enabled us to raise $900,000 to acquire the HSVW for which we have now submitted several grants to protect and enhance this property. As part of this acquisition, we have recognized and have begun to implement, changes in our organization to increase our organizational capacity and efficiency. Together these facts show a determined and long-term intent to achieve our goals by building and interacting with all around us at all stages of our mandate to enhance life in the Kern River Valley. Since this acquisition in 2016 we have acquired 4500 acres of diverse habitat demonstrating our ability to further our mission of conserving and protecting land within the Kern Valley

In 2001 we acquired an 18 acre property in Lake Isabella, the Bob Powers Gateway Preserve, that we have since enhanced for the protection of several bird and plant species. We obtained funding for this property, established the organization to manage and enhance the property and acquired the funding to accomplish these goals. In 2017 we acquired an adjacent 189 acre property, the Hot Springs Valley Wetlands. We have submitted grants and are in the process of submitting additional requests for funding. During these years we have established important connections with organizations and individuals within and outwith Kern County. We have also developed an outreach program with local educational and health facilities to encourage use and foster education of this unique property. In 2018 we were awarded a $1000.00 grant from the Kern River Valley Community Foundation. These funds were used to construct two new gate areas to safely access the new Hot Springs Valley Wetlands Preserve. Early in 2019 we received a $57,000.00 grant from Cal Fire. These funds will be used to purchase and maintain equipment to help reduce fire hazards on all KRVHF controlled properties. As of February 2019 we have taken delivery of a new Kubota Tractor L47. Later in 2019 we plan on acquiring a new walk-behind mower.

The Kern River Valley Heritage Foundation recently took acquisition of the 250+ acre parcel known as Brown Flat. This latest acquisition will double the acreage that the foundation will take stewardship of. Adding to the 189 acres known as Hot Springs Valley Wetlands Preserve, this new opportunity will be known as the Brown Flat Ecological Preserve. Careful consideration will be given to the native habitat of plants and wildlife. This site has long been used for cattle grazing by local ranchers, and it will be the intent of the foundation to continue this practice. There are other new opportunities that will be explored including, but not limited to, hiking paths, plant and wildlife surveys by local students, wildlife habitat enhancement and other projects that the Board of Director will consider.

On June 12th, 2020 KRVHF took acquisition of our newest and largest preserve. The 3800+ acre area know as Hanning Flat is an undisturbed and beautiful example of changing terrain, from flat open grassland to towering mountain peaks with steep canyons and natural flowing springs. We look forward to the challenges and opportunities this fantastic ecosystem has to offer for perpetuity.