May 2022
Matching Funds Campaign – Field Vehicle
YOU DID IT! Thank you to everyone who donated to our Matching Funds Campaign for a new field vehicle! You generously gave over $7,000, far exceeding our match goal and we are beyond grateful for your amazing support. Our incredible Matching Donor decided to donate $12,500 to help us meet the $20k shortfall and we are thrilled at this turn of events! Thank you again to all who donated and we hope to have a new field vehicle to show you soon!
From the Field
This year there have been many interesting sheep movements with ewes crossing ranges from the San Jacinto’s in Palm Springs to the northern Santa Rosa’s in Cathedral Canyon and more. It’s been exciting tracking the sheep to see where we might find them each month and right now, it seems many have moved back to their “normal” areas. We’re still seeing a good number of lambs in the Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage herds; we even saw a new lamb in Palm Springs this month. The La Quinta lambs aren’t faring as well, particularly around the golf courses as most of those lambs are sick. We’ll keep monitoring the sheep closely and see how they do. (Pictured: Ewes alert as they listen to coyotes calling)
Four More Lambs Die in La Quinta
May was a tough month for lamb survival around the La Quinta golf courses as four more lambs died. Two drowned, one in a pool at PGA West and the other fell into the Coachella Canal. One died from disease and one was scavenged so we don’t know the cause of death. Twenty sheep have now drowned in pools or the canal and these deaths could have been prevented with a fence. Speaking of which, the CVCC (Coachella Valley Conservation Commission) met in mid-May and gave an update on the La Quinta fence. They stated that the Coachella Valley Water District has been holding up the process with their lengthy review of construction plans since November. However, the CVCC anticipated the water district would “sign off” on the construction plans by the end of May and construction could begin as early as June. Hopefully, this will happen. (Pictured: A sick lamb in the La Quinta urban area)
Waterhole Count Volunteers Wanted
We’re gearing up for our annual waterhole count in late July and are looking for a few local volunteers to brave the desert heat by sitting on waterholes for a couple of days and helping us count sheep. If you’d like more information, please call 760-346-7334 or email bi@bighorninstitute.org.
The 50th Annual bighorn sheep count in Anza Borrego Desert State Park is happening this year, but new leadership is imposing some obstacles to volunteers who have helped for years. You can read more about it under Recent News. (Pictured: Sheep drink from one of the man-made waterholes)
Wine Down Wednesday
Join us for HOT 95.9’s Wine Down Wednesday FUNdraiser June 22nd from 5-7 PM at Kitchen 86 on El Paseo to support the sheep! This fun mixer features wine tasting and appetizers for only $15 (cash only)! We’ll also have a raffle with great prizes so hope to see you there!
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: camera equipment, 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
Bighorn Institute celebrates 40 years with annual Spring Fling
Volunteers outraged as Anza-Borrego park requires fingerprinting for 50th bighorn sheep count