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The Kreyenhagen Hills Conservation Bank is 1,295 acres in size and located in western Fresno County, approximately six miles southwest of the town of Coalinga, California. The conservation bank is owned and managed by Wildlands, Inc. The Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM) is responsible for monitoring the bank for compliance with conditions established under a conservation easement. The bank provides habitat for San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica) and other special-status species. The ephemeral Jacalitos Creek winds through the southern and eastern portions of the property, providing enough moisture to support cottonwood trees (Populus fremontii) and other riparian vegetation along its banks.
Open grasslands are found along much of the southern and western aspects of ridges and flatter terrain adjacent to major drainages. A low-density juniper woodland/savanna is found in some areas of the bank, especially along major drainages in the northern part of the site. Diablan sage scrub is found on many of the north- and east-facing slopes. This vegetation type is characterized by a low to moderate density shrubland and is dominated by a mix of shrubs including California sage (Artemisia californica), Common saltbush (Atriplex polycarpa), Yellow mock aster (Eastwoodia elegans), goldenbush (Ericameria linearifolia), and California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum).
Herbaceous cover is comprised of mostly non-native annual species including soft chess brome (Bromus hordeaceus), red brome (Bromus madritensis), and wild oats (Avena spp.). However, in some years, a variety of native forbs dominate the herbaceous cover.

Cattle grazing is the primary historic land use of the property and this use is being continued by Wildlands, Inc. with the goal of maintaining or improving habitat for kit foxes. The entire site is grazed by yearling cattle with concentrated use within the flatter terrain and along streams and drainages. Cattle water at stock tanks in the northern portion of the conservation bank and along Jacalitos Creek. Although Jacalitos Creek is ephemeral, springs along the creek provide a year-round supply of water.
The Kreyenhagen Hills Conservation Bank can provide mitigation solutions to landowners, businesses, government agencies, and land trusts. For price information for kit fox credits, contact Julie Maddox of Wildlands, Inc. at (916) 435-3555. Questions regarding CNLM’s role in monitoring the conservation easement should be directed to Greg Warrick, at (661) 387-9453 or gwarrick@cnlm.org. |