September 2025
- Bighorn Institute
- Sep 30
- 3 min read
Fall Fundraiser Fast Approaching
Invitations are in the mail and our website is ready to receive your online entries for our 2025 Annual Party and Golf Classic Sunday and Monday, November 16th and 17th at Stone Eagle! Local KESQ Chief Meteorologist and radio personality, Patrick Evans, will be our Master of Ceremonies while the Frank DiSalvo will provide entertainment for the Annual Party! It will be a night to remember followed by an exciting day of golf hosted by golf legend, Dave Stockton!
We’re still looking for sponsors for various party and golf expenses (please email us if interested) and have Platinum, Gold and Silver Sponsorships available for $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000. Sponsorships are tax-deductible and include party tickets, golf spots or both as well as notoriety in all event materials! The Annual Party and Golf Classic is the Institute’s primary fundraiser and raises funds to support our research and conservation efforts for the endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep. We hope to see you there!
Ewe Crosses Ranges Again
Last month, we told you about a ewe that had made her fourth crossover since 2022 from her home range in the northern Santa Rosa Mountains (Palm Desert/Rancho Mirage area) to the San Jacinto Mountains of Palm Springs. While she “came home” briefly in early September, it was short-lived and she’s back in Palm Springs. She’s either dissatisfied with her sheep “friends” in her home range or may have been chased over by a ram since it’s the rut, or breeding season. Either way, it’s pretty amazing and this is crossing number five for those keeping track. We look forward to seeing what’s next.
*The ewe and a ram relax in the mountains of Palm Springs
Highway 74 Incidents
We have received a number of calls in the last couple of months about bighorn sheep on Highway 74, which is incredibly dangerous for motorists and the sheep. The sheep have been coming onto Hwy 74 fairly regularly from the Art Smith Trail area and heading down Hwy 74 to Bighorn Golf Club and crossing the street to the vacant land adjacent to Bighorn Institute. Most recently, the sheep have been browsing in the middle of a switchback curve further up the highway, which is much more dangerous due to the lack of visibility for motorists to react. Institute staff and volunteers, Friends of the Desert Mountains and Bighorn Golf Club security have helped get the sheep back to safety. If you see sheep on Hwy 74 posing an immediate threat to themselves or motorists, please call Animal Control 760-343-3644, the Police Department 760-836-1600 or Bighorn Institute 760-346-7334. Please be careful driving this road and caution others you know who drive it to watch for bighorn sheep.
*BI Volunteer, Scott Collins (photo credit), got these sheep safely across the highway out of the dangerous switchback curve
Desert Discovery Day
Desert Discover Day will be this Saturday, October 4th from 10:00am-1:00pm in the Freedom Plaza Gym at 6547 29 Palms Highway in Twentynine Palms. Come join this FREE family event; we’ll be there with a booth about the bighorn! Hosted by Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park Association, there will be games, crafts, ambassador animals, prizes, storytelling, s’mores and more! Click on the photo for more information and to get free tickets.
Bighorn Presentation
Does your organization or club want to learn more about the local endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep and Bighorn Institute’s conservation work? We’d love to come talk to you. If you’re interested, give us a call at (760) 346-7334 or email us at bi@bighorninstitute.org.
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