January 2022
Membership Meeting Feb. 5th – Now on Zoom
With the health of all in mind, we have determined it’s best to have Bighorn Institute’s Annual Membership Meeting via Zoom rather than in person on Saturday, February 5th from 8:30am-9:30am. The Zoom link will be sent out prior to the meeting to those that have let us know they will “attend.” We’ll review our accomplishments in 2021, plans for 2022 and elect the Institute’s 2022 Board of Directors. All current members are welcome, but please RSVP at 760-346-7334. We hope you can join us!
Local Population Update
Lamb survival was good in 2021 and more survived to yearling age than last year. The population numbers continue to slowly increase in the San Jacinto and northern Santa Rosa herds. There are now approximately 80 adult bighorn in the San Jacinto Mountains in Palm Springs and over 100 adult bighorn in the northern Santa Rosa Mountains in Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage. There were around 120 adult bighorn in the central Santa Rosa Mountains in La Quinta when last estimated by a 2016 CA Fish and Wildlife survey. (Pictured: A yearling ewe (left) and yearling ram (right))
Lambing Season Underway
The 2022 lambs have arrived! We documented the first lambs of the season in the central Santa Rosa Mountains near La Quinta in late January. Lambing season extends from January to June for Peninsular bighorn with most lambs usually born between February and April. We’re in the field daily searching for lambs and pregnant ewes ready to give birth. If you’re out hiking and see lambs, please give us a call 760-346-7334 or email us at bi@bighorninstitute.org. We are hopeful for a successful lambing season this year! (Pictured: Two ewes nurse their lambs at the same time)
Tour de Palm Springs – Support BI
If you can walk or ride a bike, you can support Bighorn Institute in the 2022 Tour de Palm Springs! The event takes place Saturday, February 12th and there are options for all skill levels. Be sure to use Bighorn Institute’s charity code BHIT22 when you register, we get 100% of your entry fee! To register visit www.tourdepalmsprings.com.
If you’re not local or can’t participate, you can still donate 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. For more information, call us at 760-346-7334 or email us at bi@bighorninstitute.org. Thank you for your support!
Member Hike
The January Member Hike was a success, but the sheep made us work for it by being visible only through a spotting scope. The next Member Hike will be Thursday, February 24th. We would love to have you join us, but 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.
Youth Fishing Clinic
Bighorn Institute will have an information booth to educate the kids about the bighorn at Lake Cahuilla’s 5th Annual Youth Fishing Clinic on Saturday, February 12th. The clinic is free to kids ages 3-15 and registration is from 8-9:30am. CA Fish and Wildlife will be there to teach the kids how to fish. This is a fun, free, family event with the possibility of seeing bighorn sheep in the hills surrounding Lake Cahuilla! (Click the photo for full flyer)
Bighorn Presentation
Earlier this month, we gave a presentation to the members of the USC Women’s Trojan League. As usual, this was another great opportunity to spread the word about the sheep and our work. We had a couple of in-person presentations cancelled for February, but if you’d like a Zoom presentation or have a meeting in a month or so when things hopefully settle down, give us a call at (760) 346-7334 or email us at bi@bighorninstitute.org.
BI Resale Store
Bighorn Institute’s Resale Store at Antique Galleries of Palm Springs is going strong! If you have any smaller, high-quality items such as: jewelry, coins, bullion, pen sets, small clocks and watches, crystal, statuary and decorative items, antiques and collectibles, etc. please consider donating them to our Resale Store. All profits (l00%) benefit the bighorn AND all donations are tax-deductible! You can take your items directly to Antique Galleries of Palm Springs (505 E. Industrial Place, just south of downtown off Sunny Dunes) and ask for Mike or Thomas. If you can’t take your items in, give us a call and we can help collect them 760-346-7334. Thank you!
Recent News
‘Driveway extension’ on city hillside is actually a road that would threaten sheep, disrupt lives: Opponents
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