About Us
History of Panorama Vista Preserve
This 1910 photo shows the riparian forest that lined both sides of the wide, free-flowing Kern River. The Carrier Canal (historically known as the Kern Island Canal) is visible on the bottom left. The image would have been taken from the Panorama Bluffs, looking northward.
In decades to come, land in this photo would become a mix of agricultural, dairy, cattle grazing or feedlot, and expanded oil production.
Today it is part of the Panorama Vista Nature Preserve.
Kern River Corridor Endowment & Holding Co. Inc.
The Panorama Vista Preserve is 936.8 acres of open space in Bakersfield, California, below the Panorama Bluffs. It is owned and managed by the Kern River Corridor Endowment & Holding Co. Inc., a 501 (c) (3) public benefit nonprofit organization that was established in 1998.
The Preserve extends from China Grade Loop on the east to near Manor Street on the west and from the Beardsley Canal on the north to the top of the bluffs on the south and comprises 2 ½ miles of the Kern River. MAP
Mission Statement
To preserve, protect and enhance educational, recreational, environmental, scientific, cultural, and historic values in the Preserve for future generations.
Goals
To protect the historic equestrian use of the Preserve by facilitating and encouraging the continued use of the Preserve for equestrian purposes.
To maintain the Preserve in its natural state with large areas of dense vegetation, consisting of mature trees, shrubs, and vines and an open area of native grasses.
To create educational opportunities for the public, and especially the children of our community, to learn firsthand about the unique and varied animals, birds, and vegetation that exist in this setting and to encourage greater awareness and appreciation of our environment.
To preserve and enhance plant and animal habitats in the Preserve.
To provide appropriate recreational opportunities for the public.
Achieving the Goals
The Endowment is focusing on:
1) Habitat restoration to provide breeding, wintering, and foraging habitat for increased bird and animal populations and protection of endangered species; and
2) Youth education and involvement to encourage their greater awareness and appreciation of the animal and plant life on the preserve and to prepare them to be the future stewards of our environment.
Board of Directors
Carolyn Belli
President
Tom Fallgatter
Secretary
Dona Schilling
Treasurer
Mic Hall
Member at large
Michelle Beck
Member at large
Peter Wollesen
Member at large
Timeline
1997
Purchase of 758.12 acres of ARCO land below the bluffs. Three non-profit groups, having similar goals joined forces and raised the funds to purchase that land. The three groups were Kern Equestrians for Preservation of Trails, Kern River Public Access Committee, and Kern River Parkway Foundation.
1998
The Kern River Corridor Endowment & Holding Co. Inc., a 501 (c) (3) public benefit non-profit organization (KRCE) was established by Kern Equestrians for Preservation of Trails and Kern River Public Access Committee to manage the acquired property.
2001
30.2 adjacent acres were given to KRCE by the Gartner Family.
2004
The Panorama Vista Preserve was formally established.
2006
Experimental planting of native trees and shrubs began
2007
Kern River Public Access Committee deeded 83 adjacent acres to KRCE it had acquired from Castle & Cook.
KRCE purchased 65 acres adjacent to the Preserve, increasing the Preserve’s acreage to 936.8 acres.
2008
The Chevron funded Education Outreach Program including Science Day Camp Began. Each year Chevron continues to fund this program.
2009 – 2020
Through various grants, 259 acres, have been planted. Most from seeds and cuttings gathered from the Preserve. Some of which have been grown out in the Preserve nursery.
2009
16 Wood Duck boxes were placed on the Preserve by the Tulare Basin Wildlife Association; the boxes are checked and maintained annually. There have been hundreds of Wood Ducklings born on the Preserve.
2011
The Kiosk adjacent to the equestrian staging/vehicle parking lot was built by volunteers.
2012
The first Science Day Camp took place with 5 stations manned by volunteers. Edison School 6th graders were the recipients of this half day educational program.
A Solar system was installed near the well and tank, funded by Sierra Club.
2014
The Endangered species Recovery Program collected Bakersfield Cactus pods from the Preserve to propagate and plant 52 new Bakersfield Cactus plants on the Preserve.
2020 – 2025
Through two new grants, 300 acres will be planted on the upland of the Preserve. It will consist of scrub brush, Bakersfield Cactus, Milkweed, and nectar-rich plants to establish Monarch Butterfly habitat.
Map of Panorama Vista Preserve
Map of Panorama Vista Preserve
There are five access points to the Preserve. The three access points with street parking are labeled on the map. Users can also enter from the east and the west via the bike path and the equestrian trail.