If you visited the preserve this summer, you may have noticed the buildup of dark, silty mud in the Whitewater River. Some visitors may have even been here when the entire river seemed to run black. This increased transportation of sediment is all thanks to the interesting combination of fire and flash floods.

A great way to get outside, indulge our curiosity, and enjoy the benefits of nature is to search for butterflies! Observing butterflies can be a very relaxing activity to do on your own or with family and friends. At Whitewater Preserve, butterflies are a year-round visitor, and come in a myriad of shapes, sizes and colors.

Native American Heritage Month (NAHM) in November was designated to recognize the significant contributions indigenous people of North America have made to the creation and growth of the United States. At Whitewater Preserve, The Wildlands Conservancy works to honor the first stewards of this land and share the continued work and incredible knowledge of their descendants that is still utilized today.

In late 2021, Whitewater Preserve was host to a bat study by PhD candidate Joey Curti! Curti works through a partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Wildlife Genetics Research Laboratory to more accurately assess bat connectivity and genetic health.

Curti focused his research at Whitewater Preserve on a bat called the Yuma myotis (Myotis yumanensis), a tiny bat with a big attitude.