Thanks, in part, to grant funding from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, a small chunk of elk habitat in western California is getting an upgrade.
Bureau of Land Management and CAL FIRE crews conducted a burn south of Hollister near the Clear Creek Management Area. The habitat treatment will help reduce fuel available for wildland fire by eliminating invasive yellow starthistle, which in California can grow to shoulder height and form massive, briar patches.
Prescribed fire helps rejuvenate native grasses which improve forage for elk and other wildlife.
California is the only state in the nation home to Rocky Mountain, Roosevelt and tule elk.
(Photo source: Bureau of Land Management)