Once upon a time the Kern River ran through what is now the Panorama Vista Preserve unimpeded by development of any sort, free to flood the land and take any channel it wished, even creating new channels if it so desired. 

Since the 1870s, however, the river and  adjacent land have undergone many successive changes due to agricultural and industrial development;  native grasses, shrubs, and trees almost totally disappeared except in areas closest to the river,  plowed or ‘dozed under by farmers or oil men. 

Some native vegetation was spared from the blade, however, and was able to hang on because seasonal flooding kept the water table high.  But the construction of Isabella Dam in the 1950s meant an end to natural flooding and the water table began to drop. 

Today, in the Preserve’s flood plain there are only remnant  cottonwoods, buttonwillows, and sycamores, but the fact they are still there and healthy is a good sign that the water table is within reach. 

Now that the land within the Preserve is protected, it is our hope that the flood plain can be revegetated with native trees, shrubs, and grasses.  A good start has been made over the past two years. One hundred young California sycamores, buttonwillows, red willows, and cottonwood (propagated from Preserve stock) have been planted and are being watered with drip irrigation; the aim is that eventually they will be able to tap into the water table and be on their own.  They are doing well.  A canopy of trees will once again create shade and an attractive habitat for birds and animals. 


Our revegetation plan also includes shrubby elderberries and native California roses and grasses such as creeping rye grass.  A start on this aspect of the plan has already been made.  Two dozen buttonwillows, eight elderberries, and ten California roses have been propagated from seeds or cuttings from Preserve plants, and a local Eagle Scout successfully grew a creeping rye grass  plot on previously barren land.

Much more remains to be done.  The planting of native trees, shrubs, and grasses needs to be accompanied by the eradication of alien and invasive plants such as tumbleweed and ailanthus.

It will take time and money to restore the native habitat and to otherwise maintain the Preserve.  Hikers, horse people, birders, bicycle riders, and other members of our community are already enjoying the peace and tranquility of the place.  The Preseve is an important oasis today;  it will only become more important in the future.


 If you wish to become a supporter of the Preserve, donations  may be made in care of

Please make checks payable to Kern River Corridor Endowment.

For more information, email info@panoramavista.org.