A fantastic and motivated group of volunteers recently descended upon Clover Valley Preserve to help wildlife thrive on this unique preserve. Friends Aiding Wildlife in Nature (FAWN) is a local nonprofit dedicated to “re-wilding” areas that wildlife inhabit and travel by removing dangerous manmade obstacles, such as obsolete barbed wire fencing.
Clover Valley, a 402-acre preserve protected from development by a conservation easement in 2025, has vast grasslands, oak woodlands, wetlands, and riparian areas that are excellent habitat for many wildlife species. Humans have been active in Clover Valley for over 7,000 years, but more recent decades of agricultural use has left remnants of abandoned barbed wire fencing throughout the preserve. Old, damaged fencing can pose both an obstacle and a hazard to wildlife, interrupting their migratory paths or even causing injury and entrapment.
Volunteers from FAWN, Sierra College’s ECOS Club, and Gold Country Rotary teamed up to cut, roll up, and haul out approximately 2 miles of fencing that was no longer needed. Through the dedicated efforts of volunteers, the diverse wildlife populations of Clover Valley, such as deer, coyotes, foxes, and bobcats, now enjoy unrestricted movement throughout their natural habitat.
“Mobility is critical for wildlife who need to navigate large areas in order to find food, water, shelter and mates,” said FAWN Founders Irene and Roger Smith. “Fencing can create deadly entanglement, separate wildlife families, and block vital wildlife corridors. With the permanent land protection provided by Placer Land Trust and the assistance of FAWN volunteers, wildlife now has unimpeded access to critical wildlife habitat within Clover Valley. We look forward to partnering on other Placer Land Trust preserves.”
Visit fawn4wildlife.org for information about volunteering with FAWN and to aid in identifying new projects.
