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Recreational Access and Conservation -
Conservation and Public Service Activities |
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March 7, 2000
Courtesy of:
Society for the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep and California Department of Fish and Game
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The Volunteer Desert Water and Wildlife Survey (VDWWS) was initiated in 1969 when sportsmen and conservation groups formed an agreement with the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) to provide for a continuing census of desert wildlife and, where necessary, to improve habitat for that wildlife.
The VDWWS program consists of three parts. The first of these is the Waterhole Projects. It is the building of wildlife guzzlers, development or maintenance of springs and census activities. Part 2 is the Area Captain (AC) program. An Area Captain is a person who adopts a guzzler or spring and conducts semiannual inspections of their water source during the months of April and October. If an AC discovers a problem they cannot repair, Part 3, the Hot Shot Crew, comes into play. The Hot Shots are a group of dedicated volunteers who respond to special problems. They sometimes work on short notice and are a vital link in keeping these water sources viable.
Many Bighorn Sheep ranges, particularly the water sources in these ranges, have been heavily impacted by man. Water is the lifeblood of the desert. Ranching, farming, mining and other factors have greatly altered the natural water sources historically used by bighorn sheep. This program endeavor to correct man's negative impact by restoring these water sources wherever possible. The VDWWS has helped construct over 70 Wildlife Guzzlers and has improved and maintained water flow at many remote springs.
The following is the Year 2000 schedule of projects:
Please pass this information on to anybody who you know who is able and willing to lend a hand. This is our land, our responsibility - let's all work together to keep it open!
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Dick Conti |