Behold the Beauty
A LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
This month marks thirty years since our co-founder David Myers and our founding board members envisioned The Wildlands Conservancy and paperwork was filed to establish our nonprofit organization. In the coming year, we’ll be celebrating this milestone by reflecting on our history while looking forward to the next chapters of our efforts. We approach this milestone with a profound sense of gratitude to our friends, visitors, donors, partners, and volunteers.
As our organization has grown, we’ve established core principles that guide our actions — principles that bring our beliefs to life, shaping how we engage with our staff and communicate our philosophy to visitors and supporters. These tenets, including the importance of free access to land and our commitment to a “do no harm” approach, set a standard not only for us but also for the wider conservation movement. By leading with integrity and purpose, we aim to inspire thought, ignite change, and demonstrate that meaningful stewardship and free public access begins with the example we set.
The fundamentals of our mission are as relevant now, especially in the face of the climate and biodiversity crises, as they were when we were founded. These include:
» CONSERVING WILDLANDS THROUGH ACQUISITION AND ADVOCACY;
» STEWARDING AND RESTORING OUR PRESERVES FOR NATIVE SPECIES AND NATURAL BEAUTY;
» INSTILLING A LOVE OF NATURE IN YOUTH TO INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS;
» OPENING PRESERVES TO THE PUBLIC DAILY FOR FREE WITH EXCEPTIONAL FACILITIES.
It is a joyful experience to watch this unfold — to listen to the excited voices of children when they first hear the splashing sounds of a wild stream, to watch a restored herd of tule elk run in unison across the spring-green hills of Wind Wolves Preserve, or take in the sweet perfume of a field of native wildflowers on a warm sunny day. What would The Wildlands Conservancy be without the bright light in the eyes of children and their families that visit our preserves? Or without the gasps from visitors in awe as they watch the first bounds of a bighorn sheep lamb as it daringly jumps across the cliffs of Whitewater Canyon?
It is these experiences that bring purpose and inspiration into all of our lives and sustain our organization. We are glad to share some of the wonderful and inspiring stories from our first thirty years which are still being written today. It is our way of inviting you to be part of our work in whatever way you so choose — come for a hike or picnic, volunteer to help restore a landscape, make a donation or bequest to support our growing preserve system and outdoor education programs, or become an advocate for the most special place in your life — it all continues to add new chapters to our unfolding story, co-written by you!
Respectfully,
OUR CORE BELIEFS AND PRINCIPLES
FIRST TENET
We believe the Earth is sacred. We are committed to protecting all of our preserves, forever.
SECOND TENET
We believe having to pay to visit nature is to be dispossessed of a birthright. Our preserves are open to the public for free, removing the socio-economic barriers that promote a disconnect with nature.
THIRD TENET
We believe children are the future of protecting the Earth’s beauty and biodiversity. For this reason, The Wildlands Conservancy focuses on outdoor education and is California’s nonprofit leader in providing free youth programs.
FOURTH TENET
We believe in rewilding the Earth by healing human impacts to both the beauty of the land and its rich biodiversity in order to foster inspiration and joyful nature experiences.
FIFTH TENET
We abide by a ‘do no harm’ policy which prohibits us from selling the carbon sequestered in our trees to carbon markets that offset global polluters and from using our protected lands for mitigation banks for species and habitats destroyed elsewhere.
SIXTH TENET
Our preserves are limited to passive recreation, such as hiking, camping, photography, and self-exploration
that fosters the contemplation of beauty and the timeless attributes of nature shared by all cultures throughout time.
SEVENTH TENET
The Earth is never saved; it is always being saved. The Wildlands Conservancy safeguards its lands from aggression and will time and again defend them from proposed exploitation.
Ferruginous hawk at Jenner Headlands Preserve, Sonoma Coast
Outdoor Discovery Program at Oak Glen Preserve, San Bernardino Mountains
A hiker's view of Mt. San Jacinto from Whitewater Preserve, California Desert cover photo by Jack Thompson
OUR IMPACT
Our impact this year — and every year — has been made possible by the continued dedication of our volunteers, the generosity of our donors, and the support of our valued partners. Together, we’ve expanded land protection, restored critical habitats, and ensured free public access and outdoor education for all.
208,000
Every day, we steward 208,000 acres of land and waters across the preserve system including rivers, mountains, deserts and coastlines out of a love for nature and communities.
115
miles of trails
acres stewarded visitors
1.5 million
We welcome over 1.5 million visitors annually.
We offer 115 miles of scenic trails, open daily for free, to our visitors for passive recreation and exploration.
39
endangered species protected
With a mission rooted in the preservation of natural habitats, we actively work to protect 39 Federally Endangered or Threatened species identified at our preserves, playing a critical role in ensuring that these vulnerable species have the chance to thrive once more.
photo credit: Elba Mora, Gary Peplow, Jack Thompson and TWC archive
15,931
students served
Through our Outdoor Discovery Program, we hosted over 15,000 students for school field trips in the 2023-2024 school year, educating and instilling a love for nature in the next generation.
30x30 initiative
In 2023, Wildlands made a significant contribution to protecting 30 percent of California by 2030 by acquiring a total of 23,325 acres for protection with public funding that was made available for the state's 30x30 initiative.
ecosystems restored
events hosted
From guided hikes to plant identification workshops to bird walks, we provided over 100 free community programs in 2024.
Dedicated to protecting Earth's beauty and biodiversity, we embarked on large scale habitat restoration projects in 2024 to restore riparian, wetland, woodland, forest, and grassland habitats across the preserve system.
In 2024, we've continued our efforts to protect biodiversity and expand access to nature across the state of California and beyond with acquisition projects that will bring an additional 3,000 acres into protection once complete, and we have more big projects in the works.
Saving the Mojave: A Journey of Love, Resilience, and Conservation
Stretchingout beneath an endless sky, the Mojave Desert offers more than just a barren landscape — it’s a place of profound beauty, silence, and resilience. It’s a land that fosters introspection and where native species such as the desert tortoise and bighorn sheep exist in a delicate ecosystem. In an act of environmental heroism, out of a love for wilderness and its beauty, The Wildlands Conservancy stepped forward to protect this precious expanse.
From 1999 to 2004, Wildlands purchased 587,000 acres of fragmented land throughout the vast Mojave landscape that was destined for destruction and development, and donated it to the U.S. Department of the Interior for permanent conservation. This gift became the largest conservation land donation in U.S. history — but our work didn’t stop there. Working alongside the late U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, our relentless advocacy for the Mojave desert spanning nearly two decades led to the creation of the 1.6 millionacre Mojave Trails National Monument and the Sand to Snow National Monument, providing a shield for these vast landscapes and the wildlife that call them home.
At the heart of this movement today are dedicated individuals like Luke Basulto, California Desert program manager with the National Parks Conservation Association, a native of the Mojave Desert who has spent most of his life working in desert conservation. Luke saw his first desert tortoise at the age of nine, and from that moment, he knew his life’s purpose was to protect this remarkable creature and its fragile habitat. For Luke, conservation is about more than just preserving the land; it’s about reciprocity — giving back to the earth that nurtures us, and fostering relationships between people and nature.
“The key to saving a place like the Mojave,” Luke often says, “is getting people to fall in love with it.” Having spent the majority of his professional life as a field staffer for various organizations including The Wildlands Conservancy, Luke’s mission has been to interpret the desert landscape in ways that connect people to its beauty. He knows that if you can touch someone’s heart, you can inspire them to protect that place with the same passion he’s felt since childhood.
Through the work of The Wildlands Conservancy in protecting public
access to the Mojave Desert, Luke and others have been able to create opportunities for discovery and connection. The more people experience the awe of the desert, the more curious they become, and the deeper their bond with the land grows. For Luke, this connection is vital — because when you care deeply enough, you’ll keep fighting, even when the future seems bleak.
Wildlands is more than an organization — it’s a community of like-minded individuals who share a love for the land and a commitment to its preservation. “Doing this work with a community makes all the difference,” Luke explains. “It keeps the momentum going and makes the journey that much more fulfilling.”
Knowing that the journey for desert protection is ongoing, Wildlands remains vigilant, monitoring and ensuring that all protections for the Mojave Desert guaranteed by the Department of the Interior are being fully upheld, safeguarding the desert’s future for all who cherish it. Together, with passion, love, and determination, and with support from friends and partner organizations, The Wildlands Conservancy continues to boldly protect the Mojave Desert for future generations — proving that when enough hearts are touched by a place, anything is possible.
Desert tortoise at Whitewater Preserve, gateway to Sand to Snow National Monument
"The fate of the California desert was at a tipping point in the 1980s when development and uncontrolled off-road vehicle use threatened to fragment and destroy its biological and recreational treasures. Then came the California Desert Protection Act of 1994, a turning point for conservation, which paved
the way for The Wildlands Conservancy to step in with bold vision and determination, securing nearly a thousand square miles of this irreplaceable landscape for future generations."
- Joan Taylor, Chair of Sierra Club's California/Nevada Desert Committee
Mojave Trails National Monument
photo by Jack Thompson
by Melissa
“The Preserve is a place for learning, but also a place to feel peace. It's a refuge.”
- Gary Peplow, Education Docent for The Wildlands Conservancy
photo
Dabulamanzi
Sparking Wonder at Wind Wolves Preserve
Wildlands first classroom in the wild — established in 1998.
Tucked away in Central California lies a place where rolling hills stretch as far as the eye can see and where the whispers of the wind carry stories of ancient times. The Wildlands Conservancy’s 93,000acre Wind Wolves Preserve offers more than just breathtaking views — it’s a sanctuary for wildlife, a place of refuge for the spirit, and most importantly, a classroom under the open sky.
For many children, the first time they spot a majestic hawk soaring above or uncover the delicate pattern of animal tracks along a trail, something awakens. These moments of wonder spark not just curiosity but a profound connection — one that The Wildlands Conservancy believes can grow into a lifelong passion for conservation. Each year, Wildlands naturalists and docents lead free outdoor education programs at Wind Wolves Preserve for thousands of school children from across Kern County. Targeted to public schools in underserved and under-resourced communities, this is more than just a field trip — it’s a rite of passage, a transformative experience that fosters a connection to nature and inspires a love for the Earth.
For Sherryl Clendenen, biologist and outdoor educator who worked for Wildlands from 1998 to 2015, Wind Wolves Preserve was the perfect venue to integrate science and history into the lives of local students in a way that made learning come alive. As a child, Sherryl had struggled with traditional forms of learning — textbooks and classroom lectures left her feeling disconnected from the material. Fortunately for Sherryl, her father understood the real world was the best teacher and he took her outdoors, where nature became her classroom. This handson learning shaped her philosophy and later guided her work at Wind Wolves Preserve, where she built the outdoor education program from the ground up.
Sherryl’s early experiences taught her something profound: humans are not separate from nature, but part of it. She remembers learning in school that human activity caused many environmental issues, leading her to believe the only way to save the wilderness was to keep humans away. But when she was outside with her father, she saw things differently. Being immersed in the wild didn’t lead her to fear human impact; instead, it taught her to love and
respect nature. Sherryl sought to pass on these same lessons through the Outdoor Discovery Program at Wind Wolves Preserve, which has welcomed over 210,000 local students since it originated in 1998. Today, Wildlands has expanded its Outdoor Discovery Program to serve students throughout the state of California across its Preserve system, offering schoolchildren and families the chance to build that deep, personal relationship with nature. Our naturalists, rangers, and docents understand that education isn’t just about facts and figures, it’s about fostering relationships — with the land, with the plants and animals, and with each other.
"To save the environment," Sherryl believes, "we must have a connection to it, a love for it." This belief is woven into the fibers of the Wildlands Outdoor Discovery Program, which aims to inspire not just knowledgeable individuals, but future stewards of the Earth.
Sherryl Clendenen leading a field trip at Wind Wolves Preserve in 2003
FINANCES
$12,194,163 $9,825,344
Grant Income & Contract Revenue is typically restricted to buying land and funding public access and conservation projects. Grant funds restricted to the purchase of land pass through the organization and are not reflected as an operating expense. The operating expenses associated with buying land (Conservation Land Acquisition) reflect
all of the operating activities related to acquisition including due diligence. Our preserves provide the venues for both our free student outdoor education field trips as well as our free public interpretive programming. In prior years, the cost to maintain outdoor education venues was reflected in Preserve Management, Stewardship & Restoration. These expenses
*The Total Revenue chart does not include realized and unrealized gains and losses from investments.
Since 2023, The Wildlands Conservancy’s acquisition projects have protected 23,325 acres, including two new locations at Rana Creek Preserve (Rana Creek) on California’s Central Coast and Speaking Springs Preserve (Cottonwood Wash) inside Bears Ears National Monument in southeast Utah.
are now reflected in Outdoor Education to more clearly show how the organization uses its resources to support various elements of our mission.
At the end of the 2022-2023 fiscal year, The Wildlands Conservancy’s preserve system included nearly 200,000 acres across 23 preserves and two states. Every day, our team of managers and rangers not only protect and steward these landscapes, but also work to rewild biodiversity and restore healthy ecosystems, all while welcoming the public for passive recreation and nature appreciation.
OUTDOOR EDUCATION
The Wildlands Conservancy is California’s leader in providing free outdoor education programs to underserved youth through our hands-on, curriculum-based field trips. Nearly 12,000 students participated in these field trip programs in the fiscal year, up nearly 5,000 students over the previous year as the program continues to recover from the
pandemic. Public programming continued to grow during the year, as our team of outdoor educators developed new and exciting programs to connect more people with nature. Tens of thousands of people of all ages and from all backgrounds participated in an educational opportunity at a Wildlands preserve.
ASSET, LIABILITY & NET ASSET SUMMARY
ASSETS
Cash and Equivalents $
Accounts Receivable
Contracts Receivable
Prepaid Expenses
Livestock Inventory
Note Receivable
Investments
Land Acquisition in Progress
Land Held for Resale
Land Held for Conservation
Protected by Legal Instruments
Pending Legal Instrument Protections
Vehicles and Equipment
Buildings and Improvements
Construction in Progress
Accumulated Depreciation
Net Depreciable Property
Total Assets LIABILITIES
without Donor Restrictions Net Assets with Donor Restrictions
Total Net Assets
Total Liabilities and Net Assets
3,637,459 169,239,371 180,959,564
16,499,184 17,327,086 165,668,900 1,201,653 166,870,553 184,197,639
Other Assets include prepaid expenses and inventory. Accounts Payable & Accrued Liabilities include accrued payroll costs and accrued interest.
The financial information provided here is derived from our audited financial statements. To review our completed audited financial statements and 990s, go to wildlandsconservancy.org/aboutus/financials. The Wildlands Conservancy is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation. Tax Identification No. 33-0676450.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DAVID MYERS
President & Senior Strategist
The Wildlands Conservancy
CHRISTOPHER M.
CARRILLO
Attorney
Jackson Lewis P.C.
DANIEL GELBAUM
EMILY GELBAUM
Partnerships & Communications
Manager
Four Freedoms Fund
FRAZIER HANEY
Executive Director
The Wildlands Conservancy
ERIC HELMLE
Businessperson
Earthwalker Fund, LLC
CARL POPE
Principal Inside Straight Strategies
MATT RITTER
Professor
California Polytechnic State University
APRIL SALL
President
California Desert Coalition
JOAN TAYLOR
Chair
Sierra Club California/Nevada Desert Committee
CHARLES THOMAS
Executive Director
Outward Bound Adventures
