2005 Education & Outreach Newsletter

Los Banos Wildlife Area Celebrates 75th Anniversary

On April 15, the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) and its many public and private partners celebrated three quarters of a century of habitat conservation with the 75th anniversary of Los Banos Wildlife Area (LBWA).

Several dignitaries were present to recognize the Department and their partners that make this wildlife area so unique and valuable: the mayor of Los Banos, Mayor Michael Amabile, presented a proclamation to the Department; a representative for Senator Diane Feinstein presented a letter of recognition and accomplishment; and Governor Schwarzenegger also sent letters of acknowledgment recognizing the anniversary of LBWA. Roger Wilbur, a Department employee who has put in over 50 years at LBWA, was recognized at the celebration as Ryan Broddrick presented him with a Director’s Achievement Award and a hand carved quail and poppy sculpture made by Dale Mitchell. Roger was also given a pair of 2-foot long scissors to cut the ribbon for the new nature trail and viewing platform at the LBWA. Twenty-five 6th grade G.A.T.E students, who completed a tree planting that morning at wildlife area, cheered on Roger as he snipped the yellow ribbon in half.

Established in 1929, the wildlife area marked the first in a series of DFG waterfowl refuges. It began with 3,000 acres and has grown into a 17,800-acre complex of diversified wildlife habitat. It was the first of 108 wildlife areas DFG manages statewide, for a total of 648,758 acres of wildlife habitat. After 75 years of wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, and today’s most advanced wildlife management techniques, LBWA is an important link in the chain of adjacent state, federal, and privately managed properties that make up the largest contiguous wetland in California known as the Grasslands Ecological Area. These areas collectively make up an important component of the 5 percent of historical wetlands that remain in California. The other 95 percent have been filled in, mostly farmed or developed. The Grasslands Ecological Area plays many valuable roles in the health of the overall ecosystem, but one of the most notable is the attraction of migratory birds that are part of the Pacific Flyway.

The Grassland Water District, Ducks Unlimited, and the California Waterfowl Association are key partners that have contributed volunteer hours, monetary donations, and overall community support to LBWA. A commemorative plaque, mounted on a granite boulder, was part of the ceremonies and read: “Grassland Water District, Ducks Unlimited, and the California Waterfowl Association commend the California Department of Fish and Game on the 75th Anniversary of the Los Banos Wildlife Area for the continuing commitment to provide valuable wetland habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife, and providing recreational opportunities for sportsmen since 1929.”