Wind Wolves Preserve hosting its 8th annual Spring Nature Festival this weekend, March 18-19th at 10 a.m. This is a free event and organizers, Kern libraries, and volunteers have made free transportation to the event and back possible. Some local food vendors are Teen Challenge, Nuestros, and Pita Paradise. Parking is free, and organizers welcome attendees to pack their own snacks and hydration. Guided tours are offered in Spanish and English.
“This year our wildflowers are doing so much better than last year,” said Carolina Ruiz, Science Educator with Wind Wolves Preserve. “So there’s definitely going to be a huge visual aspect. We also had a bit more sponsors this year, so we’re able to provide free transportation to the festival.”
Free transportation will be provided on a first come- first serve basis for the one-time roundtrip bus. Locations include:
Bakersfield – Beale Memorial Library
701 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Leaves Library – 9:45 am | Leaves Wind Wolves – 2:30 pm
Lamont Branch Library
8304 Segrue Road, Lamont, CA 93241
Leaves Library – 9:45 am | Leaves Wind Wolves – 2:30 pm
Wasco Branch Library
11-2 7th Street, Wasco, CA 93280
Leaves Library – 9:30 am | Leaves Wind Wolves – 2:30 pm
Delano Branch Library
925 10th Avenue, Delano, CA 93215
Leaves Library – 9:15 am | Leaves Wind Wolves – 2:30 pm
Information on bus routes and more can be found at wildlandsconservancy.org.
Kern residents can be excited to see flowers currently in bloom which are the Fiddleneck, Blue Dicks flower, Monolopia, Arroyo Lupine, California Poppy, Bird’s Eye Gilia, Red Maids, Popcorn Flower, and Owl’s Clover. According to the nature preserve it is very important to “leave no trace,” a common phrase to encourage parkgoers to pick up after themselves and not to disturb the wildlife to maintain its beauty.
Although Kern County and surrounding areas like Tejon and Tehachapi have been experiencing severe winter weather the preserve still plans on continuing with the Spring Nature Festival. Last year’s festivities experienced rain, but that did not affect the turnout. Organizers are prepared for rain or shine.
“We will be having the nature festival rain or shine. If it starts raining we do have tents that each of the booths will have,” said Ruiz. “We’re prepared for rain so we’re hoping that people don’t get deterred by that.
A list of safety precautions, what not to bring, things to do, and amenities can be found on the preserve’s website. Wind Wolves Preserve is pet friendly, but does advise that all furry friends need to be on a leash.
Activities are family-friendly with guided hikes from nature experts. There will be a reptile presentation, plant-a-seed station, nature journaling, and more.
“The Spring Nature Festival is born from the Wildlands Conservancy’s mission to preserve the beauty and biodiversity of the earth and to provide programs so that children may know the wonder and joy of nature. It’s our birthright to enjoy nature,” stated Ruiz.
Big to small organizations such as The Sierra Club, The Department of California’s Fish and Wildlife, and local groups like the Mineral and Geology Club come out to host booths at the festival. The reach of this event is as far as Frazier Park to Lake Isabella region.
“Make it an event that you and your whole family can enjoy. Definitely take advantage of everything that’s there. You’re going to be meeting new people, and hopefully new clubs you might want to join and be a part of, outside of this event,” Ruiz said.
Thanks to volunteers and sponsors Wind Wolves Preserve is able to maintain its accessibility to the public and quality of life at the park. Throughout the year if you are interested in becoming a volunteer consider joining the Wind Wolves Preserve Docent Program and submitting a form of interest on their website.
