2026 AFI PRIORITY LANDSCAPE EVENT
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park · Southern California
November 12–17, 2026 · Applications due October 1, 2026
8–10 spots available · Open to Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, Veterans & Gold Star Families
ABOUT THIS EVENT
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers' Armed Forces Initiative invites eligible military community members to apply for our 2026 Priority Landscape Event — a six-day conservation and outdoor recreation experience in one of the most rugged and rewarding landscapes in the American Southwest.
This year marks the 5th anniversary of the AFI Stewardship Program, which launched with habitat projects on Camp Pendleton in Southern California alongside the U.S. Marine Corps. Five years later, we're returning to SoCal — this time at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park — to do what this program has always done: put the military community to work for public lands and the wildlife that depend on them.
This is the flagship event of the AFI program. Participants will spend the first portion of the trip completing hands-on habitat restoration work critical to desert bighorn sheep survival, then transition to mentored hunting and fishing opportunities in the same landscape they helped restore.
WHY THIS WORK MATTERS
The Peninsular bighorn sheep is a federally endangered species. Fewer than 800 animals remain across a range stretching from the Mexican border to Palm Springs, and their survival in one of the driest landscapes in North America depends on a network of aging water infrastructure.
The guzzlers we're working on are self-filling, rain-catchment systems installed in the 1980s to provide critical seasonal water during the hottest and driest parts of the year — the period when bighorn face the greatest survival pressure. Decades of harsh desert conditions have taken a toll. When these systems fail, sheep die. When several endangered bighorn were found dead near a dry guzzler in Anza-Borrego in 2020, wildlife scientists pointed directly to deteriorating infrastructure as the cause.
Repairing and replacing these systems is front-line endangered species recovery work. The military community has a track record here — U.S. Marine Corps helicopter squadrons have partnered with BHA, CDFW, and California State Parks for multiple consecutive years to fly replacement guzzler tanks by long line into remote wilderness areas of the park. This event puts boots on the ground to continue that mission.
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Hands-on repair and replacement of desert bighorn sheep water guzzler systems in remote backcountry terrain
- Side-by-side work with BHA staff, agency partners, and conservation professionals
- Mentored hunting and fishing opportunities following the stewardship phase
- Full on-site support — transportation from San Diego, meals, lodging, gear, and equipment all provided
- A small, tight-knit cohort of fellow military-affiliated participants
This is not a one-day outing. It is a full immersive experience designed to connect you to public lands through meaningful conservation work and the outdoor traditions tied to them.
EVENT DETAILS
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Dates: November 12–17, 2026 (six days / five nights)
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Meet-up location: San Diego, CA — BHA will coordinate transport to the project site
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Application deadline: October 1, 2026
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Spots available: 8–10 participants
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Cost to participants: Travel to and from San Diego only
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On-site costs: Transport, meals, lodging, gear, and equipment are all covered by BHA AFI
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WHO CAN APPLY
This event is open to members of the military community in good standing:
- Active Duty Service Members
- Reservists and National Guard Members
- Veterans
- Gold Star Families
BHA membership is not required to apply — but we'd love to have you join the community.
HOW TO APPLY
RSVP for the event on this page and then submit your application through the registration form linked in your RSVP confirmation email. Space is limited to 8–10 participants and spots will fill quickly. Early applications are encouraged. All applicants will be notified of their status following the October 1 deadline.
Questions? Contact the Armed Forces Initiative at afi@backcountryhunters.org