Wind Wolves Preserve

Wind Wolves Preserve The 93,000-acre Wind Wolves Preserve is one of 25 preserves in The Wildlands Conservancy.
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Wind Wolves Preserve is in an ecologically unique region where the Transverse Ranges, Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada, western Mojave Desert and San Joaquin Valley influences converge. Due to elevation ranges from 640 to 6,005 feet, the Preserve has an impressive array of landforms and habitats that serve as a critical landscape linkage and wildlife corridor between the Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada.

On the valley floor, the Preserve is a 30-square-mile sea of grassland with remnant stands of saltbush. These grasslands are home to the endangered San Joaquin kit fox and blunt-nosed leopard lizard as well as one of the largest stands of the endangered Bakersfield cactus. Rolling grasslands rise from the valley floor, transitioning into classic California blue oak and valley oak savanna with extensive riparian wetlands. The oak savanna ascends into juniper and pinyon forests that vault into stands of ponderosa pine and big cone spruce. Wind Wolves Preserve has a rich cultural history, serving as the home of the Emigdiano Chumash for hundreds of years before the land became a ranch through the San Emigdio Land Grant. Colorful Chumash paintings have survived the decades and are among the most noteworthy rock art in North America.

Head out to the wild backcountry this June! Join Wind Wolves Staff as we provide water to our backcountry restoration pl...
05/30/2026

Head out to the wild backcountry this June!
Join Wind Wolves Staff as we provide water to our backcountry restoration plots to ensure our native plants survive the rising temperatures or help collect data from our growing populations of endangered Bakersfield cactus at the Preserve.

Click the link below for more details and information on how to sign up today.
https://wildlandsconservancy.org/volunteer-opportunities/?qgiv_city%5B%5D=bakersfield

Registration is REQUIRED and space is limited.
Recommended for ages 16 and up.
Call Wind Wolves Preserve at (661)858-1115 for questions and more information.

These programs are funded by the Outdoor Equity Grants Program, created through AB 209 and administered by California State Parks, Office of Grants and Local Services.

If you haven't followed Wind Wolves Preserve on Instagram, make sure to give us a follow so you can stay up to date on a...
05/29/2026

If you haven't followed Wind Wolves Preserve on Instagram, make sure to give us a follow so you can stay up to date on all of our upcoming summer events!

As temperatures begin to rise, more of our scaly neighbors are becoming active across the Preserve. As you hike, camp, o...
05/27/2026

As temperatures begin to rise, more of our scaly neighbors are becoming active across the Preserve.

As you hike, camp, or spend time enjoying the Preserve this season, we encourage everyone to recreate safely and respectfully:
• Stay aware of your surroundings and watch where you step or place your hands
• Keep pets leashed and close by
• Stick to designated trails
• Give snakes plenty of space if you encounter one
• Never attempt to touch, move, or disturb wildlife

By practicing awareness and respect, we can safely coexist with the amazing wildlife that calls Wind Wolves Preserve home.

Have you spotted any snakes during your visits to the preserve? Share your sightings (from a safe distance!) in the comments below!

Celebrate the unofficial start of summer vacation at Wind Wolves Preserve this holiday weekend! Come out to enjoy a rela...
05/23/2026

Celebrate the unofficial start of summer vacation at Wind Wolves Preserve this holiday weekend! Come out to enjoy a relaxing picnic or take an adventurous hike on one of our many trails. Wind Wolves Preserve is currently open daily from 8am - 7pm, including Memorial Day.

Remember to always bring enough water and snacks for each person and pet in your group. If you run out of water during your visit, water bottle refill stations are located in our restrooms at The Crossing, The Willows, and San Emigdio Campground. Recognize the symptoms of heat illness in yourself and others, and be rattlesnake alert (swipe for more details).

Need trail accommodations or have other questions?
Call us at (661)858-1115 or send an email to [email protected]

Movies in the Canyon is almost here! Join us on Saturday, May 30th, 2026 for our first movie night of the summer featuri...
05/19/2026

Movies in the Canyon is almost here! Join us on Saturday, May 30th, 2026 for our first movie night of the summer featuring Zootopia 2! Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, family, and friends for a fun evening under the stars at Wind Wolves Preserve.

📍 Meeting Location: Sunset Theater
(Grassy area in front of the Administrative Center)
🕡 Check-In & Activities: 6:30 PM – 8:15 PM
🎥 Movie Begins: 8:30 PM

We’ll have ongoing, kid-friendly activities before the movie begins, so come early to enjoy the fun! If you plan on attending just the movie portion, we recommend arriving 15–30 minutes before showtime to check in, use the restroom, and settle into your seats.

The event is FREE and reservations are NOT required. Register on Eventbrite to receive reminders and updates. This program is subject to cancellation due to hazardous weather conditions, including high heat advisories.

Thank you to our summer series season sponsor! National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) - Kern County Chapter

You can find additional event details and registration information through the link below.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/movies-in-the-canyon-wind-wolves-preserve-registration-1989322507170?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

If interested, please send us a message!

With soft, white blooms, peppery fragrances, and the soothing sounds of the burbling creek, San Emigdio Canyon Trail is ...
05/16/2026

With soft, white blooms, peppery fragrances, and the soothing sounds of the burbling creek, San Emigdio Canyon Trail is putting on quite a show this season!

Yerba mansa is a beautiful, native wetland plant that thrives in moist areas near creeks and springs, making it an important part of healthy riparian (creekside) ecosystems. Its roots help stabilize soil along waterways, while its flowers provide food for pollinators and other wildlife.

If you’re hiking the trail, keep an eye out for these eye-catching blooms growing near the water in several spots along the canyon. Their low-growing clusters and cone-shaped flowers make them one of the quieter but truly special signs of late spring at the Preserve.

Sometimes the smallest plants help tell the biggest stories about healthy ecosystems, flowing water, and the incredible biodiversity found at Wind Wolves Preserve.

Fun Fact! Yerba Mansa is considered an “indicator plant,” meaning its presence can help signal healthy groundwater and wetland conditions nearby.

Remember those seeds we tucked into pots back on Earth Day? 🌱 They’re officially waking up!We are so excited to show you...
05/15/2026

Remember those seeds we tucked into pots back on Earth Day? 🌱 They’re officially waking up!

We are so excited to show you that our nursery is full of life as these native shrubs begin to germinate and bud. These little sprouts are the future of our preserve, and once they’re strong enough, they’ll be heading into the ground during our upcoming volunteer planting days.

Want to be the first to know when it’s time to get these shrubs in the ground? 🔔 Turn on post notifications and follow our journey to stay up to date on all future volunteer opportunities!

The Wildlands Conservancy is seeking a bilingual ranger (English/Spanish) to join the team at Wind Wolves Preserve! Rang...
05/14/2026

The Wildlands Conservancy is seeking a bilingual ranger (English/Spanish) to join the team at Wind Wolves Preserve! Rangers perform trail and facility maintenance, engage with visitors, and help restore native habitat across the Preserve. This is primarily an outdoor position working in all weather conditions.

For more details on this position and other career opportunities with The Wildlands Conservancy, visit our website at wildlandsconservancy.org.
Candidates must email a resume and cover letter detailing their relevant experience and skills to our executive headquarters at [email protected].

Address

16019 Maricopa Highway
Bakersfield, CA
93311

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 7pm
Tuesday 8am - 7pm
Wednesday 8am - 7pm
Thursday 8am - 7pm
Friday 8am - 7pm
Saturday 8am - 7pm
Sunday 8am - 7pm

Telephone

+16618581115

Website

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