Pixley Vernal Pools

Area: 40 acres

Location:  Pixley, Tulare County, California

Date Acquired: 1997

Acquisition Type:  CNLM owns the preserve.  We protect and manage imperiled species and habitats on the preserve in perpetuity.

Key Habitats: Vernal Pools and California Annual and Perennial Grassland

Species of Special Interest to CNLM:  Vernal pool fairy shrimp (Branchinecta lynchi) and Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia)

Introduction

Pixley Vernal Pools is a 40-acre preserve located approximately four miles east of the town of Pixley, Tulare County, California. In the early 1960’s, Jack Zaninovich, a local grape grower and botanist, was so impressed with the beauty of the pools and wildflowers that he purchased the property and later transferred ownership to The Nature Conservancy. In 1973, the U.S. Department of Interior declared Pixley Vernal Pools a National Natural Landmark in recognition of its unique botanical values. In 1997, the land was transferred to the Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM).

Conservation Significance

Photo by Steve Layman

This Preserve elevation varies between 322 and 329 above mean sea level and has considerable micro-topography in the form of mounds, depressions, and swales. Bordered by farmland on all sides, this Preserve represents one of the last vestiges of vernal pool habitat in the area. The plant community is classified as northern hardpan vernal pools. During the spring, the pools are bordered by concentric rings of colorful wildflowers as the water begins to evaporate. Fremont’s goldfields (Lasthenia fremontii), Hoover’s calicoflower (Downingia bella), pygmy weed (Crassula spp.), and popcorn flower (Plagiobothrys spp.) are among the numerous plants contributing to the floral displays in the spring. Additionally, the federally threatened vernal pool fairy shrimp (Branchinecta lynchi) has been found in some of the pools on site. Burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) have also been observed using ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi) burrows for shelter. Ground squirrels are especially abundant on the Preserve, providing a food source for coyotes, hawks, and other raptors. During wet years, ducks and shorebirds are found along some of the larger pools. Most grasses here are nonnative, although saltgrass and alkali sacaton are found in some areas of the Preserve.