NATURE CONSERVANCY - DOS PALMAS OASIS PRESERVE

DOS PALMAS
OASIS PRESERVE

Mexican Fan Palms Thrive
By Spring-fed Pools

LOCATION

The Dos Palmas Oasic Preserve, consisting of approximately 1,372 acres, is located northeast of the Salton Sea at the base of the Orocopia Mountains on the Riverside-Imperial county line near the town of North Shore. The preserve is approximately 50 miles from Palm Springs, and can be reached by State Highway 111.

HISTORY

The Cahuilla Indians inhabited the oasis for centuries before the early pioneers discovered it. In the 1860's, the La Paz, Arizona-Los Angeles line of the Bradshaw Stagecoach made stops at the Dos Palmas Oasis. Wyatt Earp, the famous sheriff of Tombstone, Arizona, frequented the oasis early in his career bucking freight from San Bernardino to Yuma.

During World War II, General George S. Patton used the area for training troops for the invasion of North Africa. After the war, Dos Palmas became a popular gateway for Hollywood celebrities who enjoyed the salubrious desert climate.

In recent years, the oasis has been a site for commercial fish farming. Today, the large man-made fish ponds on the property are filled with catfish, bass, and tilapia. Soon restoration will turn these ponds into a functioning freahwater marsh and palm oasis.

The property was purchase by the Nature Conservancy in October, 1989. It has been transferred to the Bureau of Land Management for inclusion in its Salt Creek Area of Critical Environmental Concern. An additional portion may be sold to the State Wildlife Conservation Board.The Conservancy and the BLM hope ultimately to create a 20,000-acre nature preserve in the Salt Creek Area.

Clear, Spring-fed Water

GEOGRAPHY

Dos Palmas Oasis Preserve is a low-elevation desert habitat (as low as 120 feet below sea level) containing small hills and sand dunes. Fresh, non-contaminated water freed by earthquake faults gushes from the ground at Dos Palmas. These flows form the Salt Creek watershed, which drains into the Salton Sea. This watery enclave in the midst of the arid desert supports a variety of plant and animal species.

Magnificent Palo Verde

BIOTA

Majestic fan palms encircle pools fed by artesian springs. In streamside stands of cattails, the endangered Yuma clapper rail (Rallis longirostris ymanensis) and black rail (a candidate species) build nests. The desert pupfish (Cyprinodon macularis), a derelict species from the Pleistocene that is threatened with extinction today, inhabits the waters of the oasis.

Ocotillo Cactus in Bloom

An abundance of other imperiled animals and plants make their home in this desert wetland. They include the falt-tailed horned lizard (Phrynosoma mcallii), prairie falcon (Falco mexicanus), Colorado valley woodrat(Neotoma albigula venusta), and a plant that is a candidate for listing as rare and endangered by the federal government, Orocopia sage (Salvia greatai).

The lush oasis is used heavily by migrating and resident birds such as the Virginia rail, sora, killdeer, and song sparrow.

ACCESS & PRESERVE RULES

From Palm Spings, go south on Highway 111. Approximately 25 miles of Indio and 1 mile south of North Shore, turn left on Parkside Drive. Go 1 ½ miles to the end of Parkside Drive, and turn right on Desert Aire. Follow Desert Aire ¼ mile to the end, and turn left onto unnamed dirt road. After ½ mile, take left fork and follow to preserve.

The Preserve is open every day from sunrise to sunset. Individuals and groups are welcome to visit the Preserve. Be prepared for extreme warm temperatures from June through September. Spring is the best time to view wildflowers and birds. Waterfowl and other migratory birds are seen best during the winter.

Recommended equipment includes good walking shoes, binoculars, food and plenty of water, sun protection, and seasonally appropriate clothing.

For information on visiting California Preserves, or becoming a Conservancy member, write or phone:
California Field Office
The Nature Conservancy
201 Mission Street, 4th Floor
San Francisco, Calif. 94105
(415) 777-0487 WEB SITES FOR OTHER CALIFORNIA
NATURE CONSERVANCY PRESERVES

The Coachella Valley Preserve

The Carrizo Plain Natural Area

The Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve

This page provided by courtesy of: Jim Grattan 909-696-2500.

All photographics images on these pages were filmed using a Canon ES1000 videocamera, and digitalized with Snappy from Play, Inc..

Disclaimer: This page has no official relationship to The Nature Conservancy. Its keeper, Jim Grattan, provides this page solely as a convenience to Web users interested in knowing more about TNC-owned and/or managed preserves.

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Last update on: 06/06/00 at 2:04 PM PST.