THE BEST CONSERVATION PARTY IN CALIFORNIA

The 2023 Annual Fundraiser was the BEST CONSERVATION PARTY in the state of California! It was one of our biggest and most successful events ever, thanks to our members, friends, and partners such as the Wild Sheep Foundation. Attendance was at a near-record high with 270 people in attendance. We were able to raise close to $155,000 for California’s desert bighorns and wildlife. Over $39,000 of those funds go directly to “Give a Lamb a Drink” (GALAD) for new water projects for wildlife and $25,000 in funds were raised for the life member long-term account to safeguard the future of CA WSF and provide additional benefits and hunting opportunities for our Chapter’s Life, Youth Life, and Distinguished Life Members. That leaves over $90,000 for additional non-GALAD water projects, habitat enhancement, legislative efforts, and conservation efforts such as supporting the recovery and protection of our threatened Sierra Nevada Bighorns.

Craig Boddington provided a look at the long term perspective on mountain hunting in North America which was quite amazing in scope. Showing the decline of bighorn sheep from the 1800’s through the midtwentieth century, yet realizing that we are coming a long way towards building back herds through the work of organizations such as WSF, SCI, and chapters such as CA WSF, Craig provided a picture of the future that is, if not rosy, at least not doomsday! Through projects such as GALAD, we may all look forward to a time when sheep hunting in California is not just for the few.

We also hosted our 32nd bi-annual

California Sheep Summit. This meeting, which provides a laser-sharp focus on bighorn sheep, includes attendees from CDFW, USFS, US BLM, US NPS, CA WSF, SCBS, Twentynine Palms Marine Base, China Lake Naval Base, Fort Irwin Base, WSF, CA mining interests, key independents, and others who have an interest in ensuring the persistence and restoration of healthy and sustainable metapopulations of bighorn sheep throughout their historical distribution in California.

Put April 27, 2024 on your calendar and join us for another great night for bighorn sheep conservation. We look forward to seeing you there! WS