History

A new focus came to the Tulare Basin in spring 2003, when public agencies, private organizations, and individuals met to discuss concerns about conservation, agriculture, economic development, and quality of life in the Tulare Basin. From this initial meeting, more than 70 partners now gather under the auspices of the Tulare Basin Working Group, including representatives from local, state, and federal agencies, business, industry, non-profits, universities, ranchers, farmers, and private citizens. This alliance meets twice a year to share information, coordinate new opportunities, and collaborate on conservation projects led by the participant organizations.

In 2005, members of the Tulare Basin Working Group participated in a visioning and leadership workshop to determine how to most effectively achieve conservation goals in the Tulare Basin. This resulted in a consensus agreement to form a private, non-profit organization to coordinate existing and future projects among agencies and conservation organizations.

Established in May 2005, Tulare Basin Wildlife Partners, a 501(c)3 non-profit, charitable organization, serves as a catalyst for protecting and restoring natural communities in the Tulare Basin by acting as the 'action arm' of the Tulare Basin Working Group. The Tulare Basin Wildlife Partners is the only organization solely focused on creating integrated land and water management solutions in the Tulare Basin.