Two local Resource Conservation Districts will play a key role in helping livestock producers reduce conflicts with gray wolves after receiving support through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program.
CDFW awarded funding from a $2 million state allocation to four organizations across California. Locally, the Sierra Valley Resource Conservation District and the Honey Lake Valley Resource Conservation District will use the funding to provide ranchers with tools, training, and technical assistance aimed at protecting livestock while reducing wolf conflicts.
The Sierra Valley Resource Conservation District will focus on helping producers implement approved hazing techniques, provide training and equipment to detect wolf activity, and evaluate the use of electronic cattle ear tags that can alert ranchers to unusual cattle movement that may indicate wolf activity.
The Honey Lake Valley Resource Conservation District will provide educational programs and technical assistance to help livestock producers implement non-lethal deterrence strategies. The district may also supply approved hazing equipment to eligible producers.
The funding comes as gray wolves continue to expand into Northern California, creating new challenges for ranchers. State wildlife officials say the program is designed to help producers protect their livestock through non-lethal deterrents while supporting the recovery of California’s gray wolf population.
In addition to the two local districts, funding was also awarded to the California Bountiful Foundation to reimburse ranchers for confirmed or probable wolf losses and to Working Circle, which will provide ranch management training to reduce the risk of wolf depredation.
CDFW says non-lethal deterrents—including range riders, fladry fencing, Foxlights, radio-activated guard devices, drones, and other hazing techniques—have proven effective in reducing conflicts between wolves and livestock in California.
