Physical Description: The Sand Ridge Preserve is 270 acres in size and located 15 miles east of the city of Bakersfield, Kern County, California.  The preserve encompasses a portion of a narrow ridge and part of the floodplain of Caliente Creek;  an intermittent stream with headwaters in the Sierra Nevada and Paiute Mountains.  Most of the surrounding land is used for farmland, but the California Department of Fish and Game owns about 200 acres along the southern border.

Conservation Purpose: Interest in preserving Sand Ridge, with it's wildflower displays and robust population of Bakersfield cacti, began in the late 1950's and after a fund-raising effort, The Nature Conservancy purchased the original parcel in 1965.  In 1984, the U.S. Department of Interior gave it the designation of National Natural Landmark in recognition of its unique botanical values.  In 1990, the Bakersfield cactus was listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Game.  In 1997, the lands were transferred to the Center for Natural Lands Management. 

Habitat Types: The plant communities at Sand Ridge are a relatively unique assemblage of San Joaquin Valley and Mojave Desert species.  Dominant shrubs include Mormon tea, brittlebush, bladderpod, common saltbush, and cheesebush.  Bakersfield cacti are most abundant on top of the ridge and along the eastern slope.  A variety of wildflowers carpet the landscape in spring, including Coulter's jewelflower, lupines, poppies, sand verbena, chia sage, sun cups, and desert dandelion.  Non-native grasses such as ripgut brome and wild oats dominate much of the herbaceous vegetation during wet periods.  Scale-broom, mule fat and a couple cottonwood trees are found in the eastern part of the preserve, along the floodplain of Caliente Creek.

Management: The overall management objective at Sand Ridge is to maintain a functioning ecosystem that supports Bakersfield cactus and native wildflower species.  The primary threats to the ecosystem come from ripgut brome, Saharan mustard, and other non-native plants which compete for space, water and nutrients with the native species.  The Center is cooperating with the California State University Stanislaus Foundation in a study to determine if non-native grasses are reducing the survival or reproduction of Bakersfield cactus.  The Center plans to enter into grazing agreements with local livestock operators in future years to control non-native plants in portions of the preserve. 

Public Access: The preserve is open most of the year to the public with permission from the preserve manager.  A 1.2 mile hiking trail is found along the top of Sand Ridge. 

Manager: Sand Ridge Preserve is managed by Greg Warrick

For information and inquiries please contact:

Greg Warrick
Preserve Manager
(661) 387-9453 Phone/Fax
e-mail: gwarrick@cnlm.org