December 2021
Save the Date: Annual Membership Meeting
Our Annual Membership Meeting will take place Saturday, February 5, 2022 at 8:30am at the Institute. We’ll discuss our accomplishments in 2021, plans for 2022 and elect the board of directors. We’d love to have you join us, but ask you to please RSVP either via email (bi@bighorninstitute.org) or phone 730-346-7334.
Tour De Palm Springs
We’re putting together a team of walkers and bike riders for the 2022 Tour de Palm Springs to support the sheep! The event takes place Saturday, February 12th and there are plenty of options for all skill levels. You can walk 1 to 3 miles or bike ride either solo or tandem for 9, 26, 51 or 102 miles. If you register using Bighorn Institute’s charity code BHIT22, the Institute gets 100% of your entry fee! Walk and ride registration starts at just $20! To register visit www.tourdepalmsprings.com.
Unable to join us? You can still support the sheep by donating to Bighorn Institute's team, through PledgeReg at http://www.pledgereg.com/313643. The deadline for all registrations and online donations is Tuesday, February 8th. So, let’s stretch out those hammies, lace up those sneakers or buckle on that helmet and let’s do this! For more information, call us at 760-346-7334 or email us at bi@bighorninstitute.org.
RMCA Hike
The Rancho Mirage Community Association (RMCA) helped organize a fundraiser hike for the sheep this month which was a success. We took a small group of hikers from the RMCA out in the field to look for sheep and learn more about the endangered Peninsular bighorn, the Institute and our conservation efforts. We are privately-funded so we appreciate any and all support. Thank you again to RMCA for organizing the fundraiser hike!
Parking Lot Sale
The Antique Galleries of Palm Springs hosts a parking lot sale from 8-1pm the third Saturday of every month during the season and this month, we were there peddling goods donated to our BI Resale Store! It was a great time to meet people, talk about the sheep and sell generously donated items for which 100% of the proceeds benefit the bighorn going directly to the Institute. Mark your calendar for January and come check out the sale! Also, now that you received all of your Christmas gifts, you may want to clean out your clutter so why not donate it to the BI Resale Store?! We’re always looking for donated items; please see Mike or Thomas at the Antique Galleries of Palm Springs with your donations. All donations are tax-deductible!
Sheep in Urban Area
This month we have received several calls about bighorn sheep utilizing O’Donnell Golf Course in Palm Springs as an artificial food and water source. This is unfortunate to hear since it can lead to profound urban issues such as disease and death for the sheep if this habit persists. It’s been a drought year, but with the recent rain, we’re hopeful these bighorn will move back into the mountains as there is natural water available and the vegetation should green up soon. Bighorn sheep do best in a wild setting away from the perils of urban areas. (Pictured: bighorn graze on O'Donnell Golf Course)
Member Hike
Our December Member Hike was a great success as we saw 14 sheep including ewes, lambs and a ram. The next Member Hike will be Thursday, January 13th and we would love to have you join us. Space is limited, no dogs, and you must RSVP for this first come first served hike. To sign up or for more information, please call us at 760-346-7334 or email us at bi@bighorninstitute.org.
Year-End Gift
It’s not too late to make an end-of-the-year contribution! You can donate online at www.bighorninstitute.org or mail us a check as long as it’s post-marked by December 31st. Bighorn Institute is privately-funded and we strive hard to keep our expenses as low as possible so that your generous gift can go to Peninsular bighorn sheep conservation. Thank you!
