FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nov. 15, 2024

Contact: Devin O'Dea 415-246-5329, [email protected] | Scott Gibson 909-210-0548, [email protected]

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and the California Wild Sheep Foundation Join Forces with US Marines on Guzzler Tank Replacement Project for Peninsular Bighorn Sheep

ANZA BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK - In a critical effort to support Peninsular bighorn sheep and other native wildlife in California’s Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the California Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) and the California Chapter of the Wild Sheep Foundation (CAWSF) are proud to announce the completion of a major guzzler tank replacement project thanks to tremendous helicopter support provided by the United States Marines out of Camp Pendleton.

This collaboration, incorporating key partners from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish & Wildlife, Anza Borrego Desert State Park, local volunteers, and the United States Marine Corps, was assembled to replace aging guzzlers located deep within Wilderness of the Anza Borrego desert. Guzzlers are artificial surface water systems that capture rainwater and store it to provide vital resilience for desert wildlife during the hot summer months and throughout periods of drought.

The project’s primary goal was to replace aging "legacy" vertical plastic tanks and mechanical float valve drinker systems with modern, more efficient water systems that better serve wildlife, particularly the endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep. The new system incorporates 2300-gallon high-density polyethylene tanks, designed by the Society for the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep, to offer a more reliable, sustainable source of water. These innovative tanks are equipped with integral drinkers that mimic natural water sources, such as tinajas, which are familiar to the wildlife and require no mechanical parts, minimizing the risk of failure. The updated systems also feature a special stucco coating designed to blend the tanks into the surrounding desert landscape, preserving the wilderness character of the park and protecting the tanks from sun damage, extending their lifespan far beyond the 20-year expectancy of traditional above-ground installations.

This is the fourth year the U.S. Marines have flown UH-1Y helicopters from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 303 (HMLAT-303) to provide helicopter support for bighorn sheep in the Southern California desert. According to reporting by the Marines from last year’s effort, the project provides excellent real-world training for the Marine pilots and crew. “Our pilots are hungry to employ their aircraft in real world missions,” said Capt. Nico Portera, a UH-1Y Venom pilot training officer with HMLAT-303. “Staying relevant in the future fight is something we are always striving to maintain.”

“We are thrilled to continue our work with our partners to support this critical conservation project,” said Scott Gibson, project lead and board member with California Chapter of the Wild Sheep Foundation. “The new guzzler systems are an important step in ensuring that Peninsular bighorn sheep and other desert wildlife have a reliable water source, which is especially vital during California’s increasingly hot and dry conditions.”

In addition to the massive support provided by the U.S. Marines, the project was made possible thanks to dedicated volunteers from BHA and CAWSF, in addition to substantial financial contributions from both non-profit organizations and funding provided by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife service.

“We feel we are directly contributing to the preservation of an endangered species,” Portera said. “It also demonstrates the versatility of H-1 pilots, the capability of the UH-1Y and their ability to operate on time, on target, professional throughout.”

About Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA)

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers seeks to ensure North America's outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting, through education and work on behalf of wild public lands, waters, and wildlife. 

About California Chapter of the Wild Sheep Foundation (CAWSF)

The California Chapter of the Wild Sheep Foundation is committed to the conservation and management of wild sheep and their habitats. Through partnerships with land managers, agencies, and other conservation organizations, WSF supports the preservation of healthy wildlife populations and the sustainability of North America’s wild sheep.