Tour of Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge

Certified botanists David Magney and David Torfeh will lead a native plant tour of Bitter Creek NWR to show the unique wildflowers and varied habitats on this California Condor refuge in the San Emigdio Mountains of extreme southwestern Kern County. The Refuge is usually closed to the public, so this is a special opportunity thanks to Refuge Manager Jason Storlie. We may find the federally endangered Kern Mallow (Eremalche parryi ssp. kernensis), Wind Poppy (Papaver heterophyllum), Thistle Sage (Salvia carduacea), and Desert Candle (Caulanthus inflatus) among other things. We may even see a Condor. Some of the most dominant plants in this area are Interior Goldenbush (Ericameria linearifolia), Tucker Oak (Quercus john-tuckerii), native perennial grasses, and Devil’s Lettuce (Amsinckia tesselata var. gloriosa). Both leaders have done numerous floristic surveys of the Refuge, and David Magney is working on a flora of nearby Ventura County. Bring a hand lens, water, and lunch, and wear hiking boots, a hat, and sunglasses. We will meet at 9 a.m. at the bunkhouse. Carpooling is recommended. The Kern chapter of CNPS will also attend.