Kern River Preserve and the Bureau of Land Management present the

Audubon Bright Star Wilderness Addition Dedication

On Saturday March 12, 2011, the Ridgecrest Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Audubon’s Kern River Preserve will dedicate the Audubon Bright Star Wilderness Addition.

The National Audubon Society purchased 602 acres from willing landowners with funds granted by a private philanthropic conservation foundation in 2010. The property supports beautiful native cottonwoods, willow, oaks and gray pines along Kelso Creek surrounded by a rugged Joshua tree landscape within the Mojave Desert. The area is rich in Native American, mining and pioneer history.

Because this addition adjoins Piute Mountain Road it also provides an opportunity to improve public access to the remote and beautiful Bright Star Wilderness. Kelso Creek has been recognized by the Audubon Society as an Important Bird Area (IBA) because of its great value to migratory and resident birds as well as other wildlife. The natural and cultural resources on this land will be protected in perpetuity through this donation and under the future management by BLM.

Audubon Bright Star Wilderness Addition

Saturday March 12, 2011

Event Schedule

9 a.m. - noon – Volunteer Work Party. We will make improvements to the new parking lot and access area and improve trails as labor and time permits. We will provide drinks to volunteers.

Noon to 1 p.m. – Dedication Ceremony and Picnic Lunch. Bring your own lunch.

1 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Explore wildflowers, birds and history along the trail down to Kelso Creek.

Bring your own water and wear appropriate clothing and shoes for the weather and wilderness conditions. Wear a hat, long sleeves, hiking shoes, and or a coat. This activity is outdoors so, don’t forget water, sunscreen and bug spray. Bring your binoculars and camera.
NOTE: There are no potable water or garbage facilities available.

For information please contact Alison no later than Friday, March 11th at close of business: by phone: (760) 378-2531 or e-mail: krpfriends@audubon.org

Activity Location - Piute Mountain Road 0.6 mile west of intersection with Kelso Valley Road. From the Audubon Kern River Preserve entrance on Hwy-178 drive 102 feet east and then take the 1st right onto S Kelso Valley Rd. Keep right at the Y with Kelso Creek Road. Total mileage on Kelso Valley Road 17.1 miles. Turn right onto Piute Mountain Rd, drive 0.6 miles to the apiary/new parking lot site on right.

Optional Directions to Audubon Kern River Preserve to meet for for carpooling at 8 a.m. Please RSVP if you plan to carpool. Kern River Preserve Headquarters - Location: 18747 Highway 178, Weldon.

FROM BAKERSFIELD: Fifty-seven miles from Highway 99. Travel time: 1 hour 20 minutes give or take. Stay on Hwy 178 through Lake Isabella, pass through the villages of Mtn. Mesa and South Lake. Look for the large sign that says Kernville... continue on Hwy 178 1.1 miles beyond the turnoff to Kernville. The entrance to Audubon Kern River Preserve is on the left and is signed. Drive 0.2 miles on the dirt easement into the preserve. Park in the grassy parking lot.

FROM THE DESERT: Thirty miles from Highway 14. Turn onto Hwy 178 west toward Lake Isabella. Approximately 45 minutes driving time. Drive through the villages of Walker Pass, Canebrake, Onyx, and Weldon. The entrance to the Kern River Preserve is on the right a few feet beyond Kelso Valley Road. Drive 0.2 miles on the dirt easement into the preserve. Park in the grassy parking lot.

Keep up to date with exciting developments at Audubon California's Kern River Preserve's via our website - http://kern.audubon.org

Join the Kern River Preserve's social networking site on FACEBOOK

Audubon Kern River Preserve · P.O. Box 1662 · Weldon, CA · 93283

If you have questions, comments or suggestions, email krpfriends@audubon.org

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