Publisher’s Note

The Carizzo Plain is the largest single native grassland remaining in California. The plain is home to 13 species listed as endangered either by the state or federal government, the largest concentration of endangered species in California.

On January 12, 2001, President Bill Clinton signed a presidential proclamation establishing the Carrizo Plain as a national monument. The mission statement was “To Manage the Carrizo Plain Natural Area so that indigenous species interact within a dynamic and fully functioning system in perpetuity while conserving unique natural and cultural resources and maintaining opportunities for compatible scientific research, cultural, social and recreational activities." This would give the endangered species a chance for survival.

Like so many of our U.S. open lands, there is controversy about land use and the competition between cattle ranchers (similar to Point Reyes), oil exploration and residential development which compromise so many endangered species. It’s an issue that will continue through our lifetime and I encourage voting for politicians who will put the interests of wildlife first.

In this issue, see Chuck Graham’s stunning wildlife and landscape portfolio from Carizzo Plain including the incredible cover photo with a pronghorn and superbloom. Also, enjoy Mohit Ghatak’s otherworldly Red-shanked duocs from Viet Nam and Ranjan Ramchandani’s high-elevation Himalayan portfolio and incredible lion pride images from east Africa. Craig Schwartz dazzles with hippos in dusky light. Way to elevate hippos Craig!

Michelle Liles
michelle@thewildlensmagazine.com