The past three years have been hard on Eastern Sierra wildlife and our mule deer herds are no exception. Are you wondering how the deer are faring in the wake of severe drought and wildfire, including the 7,000-acre Round Fire? On March 12, join Eastern Sierra Land Trust and California Department of Fish & Wildlife for a tour of the Round Valley mule deer herd’s migration corridor, and hear from experts about how the deer are coping with these recent challenges!
On March 12, join us as we team up with CA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife for a tour of the Round Valley mule deer herd’s migration corridor.
Twice a year the Round Valley mule deer herd travels between its winter range on the valley floor and the alpine meadows of the Central Sierra. As the deer search for nutritious forage, they keep to the same trails they have followed for generations.
But as human presence has increased, the Round Valley herd has faced new obstacles. Most of the herd migrates north through the community of Swall Meadows, where their route traverses a narrow bottleneck: limited by the steep cliffs of Wheeler Ridge to the west and the deep canyon of Lower Rock Creek Gorge to the east. In addition to the constant danger posed by vehicles, development has hampered portions of the deer’s limited habitat making finding food and shelter along the route more difficult.
Concerned by the effect that increased residential development would have on the deer’s annual migration route, a group of concerned residents teamed up in 2001 and formed what was to become Eastern Sierra Land Trust. Today, ESLT has permanently protected 269 acres of private land in addition to the 176-acre State Wildlife Area along the migration corridor, which together havemade the deer’s passage safer and forage along the way more assured.
Wondering how our deer herds are coping with the recent challenges of drought and wildfire? During our Migration Corridor Field Trip, hear from experts about the status of our local Round Valley herd and the resilience of these amazing animals.
On Saturday March 12 from 2-5pm, we’re teaming up withCA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife tolead a tour on a portion of the Round Valley herd’s migration corridor. The afternoon will be spent enjoying spectacular valley views and keeping on the lookout for deer making the journey northward. Mule deer expert Timothy Taylor, Biologist for the CA Department of Fish & Wildlife, will share updates about the effects that the Round Fire and other recent events have had on the mule deer.
Though we’vehosted similar tours of this migration corridor in previous years, March’s event will be different from what we’ve done in the past. With respect for our friends in Swall Meadows and their ongoing rebuilding efforts following the Round Fire, we’re going to explore a separate section of the corridor. And with growing interest in how our mule deer herds are coping with the aftereffects of drought and wildfire, we want to focus on this timely concern this year and share what experts have learned about their status.
This free event is open to all ages, and will involve some moderate walking; attendees are asked to please leave dogs at home. For more information (including meeting time and location) and to RSVP, please contact Catherine Tao, ESLT Education Coordinator and AmeriCorps member, at or call (760) 873-4554. We hope you join us on the land!
