7,000-acre Atwell Island is located on the shoreline of the now-drained Tulare Lake, once the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River. Atwell Island historically supported expansive wetlands and open water that drew large numbers of waterfowl and other native wildlife, but was later converted to agricultural use. ALC is partnering with the Bureau of Land Management to acquire unprotected parcels and restore the site to native habitats that can support threatened and endangered species.

Project Activities

• Assist the Bureau of Land Management in acquiring marginal agricultural lands to be restored to wetlands, native valley grassland, and alkali sink habitats
• Within an 800-acre potential project area, retire 220 acres in the short term, and continue efforts to retire additional lands in the future

Benefits

• Permanently protects and enhances wetland and upland habitats and associated species, including mountain plover, Tipton kangaroo rat, San Joaquin kit fox, white-faced ibis, burrowing owls, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, and others
• Expands existing protected areas: Atwell Island is situated near Pixley National Wildlife Refuge, Kern National Wildlife Refuge, Allensworth State Historic Park, and several private conservation areas
• Protects habitat along the Pacific Flyway, one of four major North American migratory routes for birds and waterfowl