Our second Annual Beer, Bands, & Bitterbrush Stands event gathered BHA community members from Santa Barbara to Elko and everywhere in between to restore habitat for mule deer, pronghorn, upland game birds, pollinator species and more at Hallelujah Junction Wildlife Area this past October. Continued stewardship on this landscape is essential to habitat restoration efforts in the wake of the Loyalton Fire that wiped out critical winter range on these borderlands between California and Nevada in 2020, and we are honored to play a part.
In addition to planting 2,500 plants over the course of the weekend, volunteers gathered each evening at the Two-Hearts ranch for live music, great food, and seemingly bottomless beer coolers (for those 21+) thanks to donations from the Brewer’s Cabinet and IMBIB Custom Brews out of Reno, as well as from Tioga Sequoia Brewing Company out of Fresno – not to mention wonderful wine from San Joaquin Wine Company.
When we say, ‘great food’, what we mean is that everyone enjoyed the heck out of a bounty of volunteer donated and prepared wild game dishes, which included venison sliders, elk lasagna, trout dip, bear and beef burgers, roasted quail and chucker, and some delicious bear grease French fries! The bear burgers were of course, from the bear that California Board member, Chris Moosios, harvested during last year’s inaugural event which made for some great campfire story retellings.
This event is part of a continued partnership with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife, the Wildlands Network, and the Institute for Applied Technology. Funding for our restoration work is made possible through a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, with matching contributions from Sitka and the California Chapter of BHA. We would also like to thank our 2024 event sponsors 4 Wheel Campers, Pure Water Systems of Nevada, and Endurance Investment Strategies for their support.
Most importantly, these efforts wouldn’t be possible without the amazing community of BHA members who fuel our work. Whether it's showing up for a full weekend of fun, a few hours of planting, or simply becoming a member and following along with our work – your support matters. Thank you for showing up.
About Joel Weltzien
Joel grew up backpacking and river running in rural Montana, and as an adult began hunting and fishing every chance he got. As California's Chapter Coordinator, Joel seeks to advance diverse coalitions in support of BHA's mission in the Golden State.