Nature
Life on the wilder side Kern wildlife refuge dedicated to maintaining natural habitat
A pod of American white pelicans takes flight at the Kern National Wildlife Refuge.
Kern National Wildlife Refuge 43 46
Lost Hills
Wasco
Kern County
forn Cali
Delano
McFarland 99
Lerdo Hwy.
ia A
33
5 mi.
Tulare County Garces Hwy.
Corcoran Rd.
Kings County
qu
5
Shafter
ed
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ct
58
Bakersfield Stockdale Hwy.
70
Bakersfield Life
August 2012
Story and photos by Gregory D. Cook
A
s much as 150 years ago, the area west of Delano was part of the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River. Tulare Lake and its associated marsh and wetlands covered more than 690 square miles in 1879, serving as a habitat for a wide range of native wildlife and a layover for migratory waterfowl. But by the dawn of the 20th century, Tulare Lake was nearly dry, its source rivers having been diverted to supply California's growing cities and agricultural needs. In 1960, the U.S. Department of the Interior established the Kern National Wildlife Refuge, an 11,000-acre area 19 miles west of Delano devoted to recreating and preserving the habitats that once dominated the area. “Just looking at how fast we were reclaiming all of these lands and turning them into agriculture,” explained refuge manager Shannon Ludwig, “it was understood we had to preserve this heritage for future generations and for the