Bighorn Institute celebrates 40 years with annual Spring Fling
The adventure began in a jeep. Climbing up a narrow rocky trail, around sharp curves, moving constantly higher, rocks on each side, the journey ended on a flat promontory that opened on a wide terrace. In the valley below, a scene of variegated green patchwork was a moviemaker’s dream.
Bighorn Institute’s 4th annual Spring Fling, a part of the organization's 40-year celebration, was a sunset dinner at the Aerie Restaurant at the exclusive Stone Eagle Golf course. A few steps below the terrace, a putter’s contest was under way.
The Spring Fling is one of two fundraisers held each year in support of Bighorn Institute’s (BI) many activities. BI is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization created in 1982 by biologists and veterinarians to investigate causes of bighorn decline. Funding comes from individual contributions, private foundations and public sector grants.
Some of the institute's accomplishments over those 40 years have been to secure 300 acres of land, build a federally-recognized recovery facility, rescue 33 sick lambs and establish a captive breeding and release program, which resulted in 145 lambs being born in captivity and 127 released into rehabilitated bighorn wilds. This effort has kept the Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage herds from disappearing.
Research assisted in the Peninsular bighorn being declared endangered and led to building the Rancho Mirage fence (to protect the sheep from urban-related deaths). This helped increase the herd from 20 sheep to nearly 100 in the Rancho Mirage area. Newly born lambs are vulnerable from two to four months because they have lost their mother’s immune protection while building their own. Lambs are closely monitored at this time.
Director of Operations and Biologist Aimee Byard gave guests a slide show update on the work going on at the Institute now. They are monitoring 40 radio-collared bighorn daily from Palm Springs to La Quinta. The population in the San Jacinto Mountains is approximately 80 adults and 15 lambs. The Rancho Mirage herd numbers approximately 110 adults and 30 lambs.
“What’s next,” Byard said, “is to continue outreach and education, conduct summer waterhole count, and continue the push for La Quinta fence and guzzler.” She ended with thanks to all who support their efforts.
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President Mike Rivkin welcomed guests and introduced board members after which he announced the winner of the putters contest, Tony Lehman. Then Rivkin changed into his auctioneer hat and the excitement built as he gently coaxed the bidders to go a little higher (which they did) for some exceptionally desirable prizes. He also thanked Mary Fromberg for assembling magnificent theme baskets for the silent auction.
The Bighorn Institute greatly appreciates their sponsors: Antique Galleries of Palm Springs, Roland and Mindy Burbank, Danielle and Tom Cane, Sylvia and Neil Ender, Chris Foster, Robyn Nagle in honor of Steve Nagle from his family, Mike and Linda Rivkin, Kent and Dorothy Roberts, Judy Sanders.
The institute extends gratitude to donors Donald Cox, Jeff Davied, Kathy Farber, Mary Fromberg, Janis Isenberger, Dixie King, Dick and Sally Lippin, Warren Lobdell, Pam and Phil Sklar, Jackie and Bob Singer, Grace and Dave Starkovich, Michael Walton and Renni Whitmer.
Joanne Hardy, a teacher with a yen to write (especially historical fiction stories), has published two novels, one set during the Civil War and the other the Great Depression. A desert resident since 1958, she has reported for the Desert Scene for 11 years.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Bighorn Institute celebrates 40 years with annual Spring Fling
