Congressman Fong Helps Facilitate Wildlife Conservation Efforts in Indian Wells Valley

RIDGECREST, Calif. – Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) is celebrating a new agreement between the Ridgecrest chapter of Quail Forever and the Bureau of Land Management that allows local volunteers to help maintain critical wildlife water sources on public lands in the Indian Wells Valley. These water collection systems, known as “guzzlers,” provide critical hydration for quail and other wildlife in the surrounding desert. Over time, many have fallen into disrepair due to limited access and regulatory hurdles.

When the local volunteer group, Quail Forever, approached Congressman Fong about taking on their maintenance, he worked to establish a partnership between the organization and the Bureau of Land Management. Their agreement authorizes Quail Forever to restore and maintain guzzlers located on Bureau-managed land within the Ridgecrest Field Office area (outside of designated wilderness zones) at no cost to taxpayers.

“These areas are essential lifelines for desert wildlife in the Mojave Desert, especially during periods of drought,” said Congressman Fong. “This agreement is a commonsense, community-driven solution that ensures these areas are maintained by those who know the land best – local volunteers and residents. I’m honored to have helped bring the right people together to get this done – which wouldn’t have been possible without the outstanding support of the Trump Administration.”

Now, thanks to this new agreement, Quail Forever can immediately begin resupplying water in the area and take steps to restore infrastructure over time, bolstering wildlife populations across the region.

“I would like to thank Congressman Fong for his personal and effective efforts in allowing locally based conservation clubs to access and maintain critical wildlife habitat in the Indian Wells Valley,” said Stu Witt, Ridgecrest resident and owner of S.O. Witt and Associates. “Congressman Fong helped foster discussions between Quail Forever and the Bureau of Land Management. An agreement was recently reached, and our wildlife populations will be stronger as a result. The Trump Administration is making a positive impact in our community.”

Congressman Fong remains committed to fostering collaborative partnerships that address local needs and deliver tangible results across our communities.