Refuge Facts | Natural History | Refuge Objectives | Management Issues | Why is the Refuge closed to the public? | Contact the Wildlife Refuge Manager | Volunteer Opportunities

Refuge Facts

Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge facilities, surrounding landscape is in full bloom. Photo Credit US Fish and Wildlife Service Ivan Hartert April 2008

Established: 18 December 1974 through funding provided under the Land and Water Conservation Act.

Acres: Currently 2,471 contiguous acres. The original acquisition was 1,871 acres with an additional 600 acres acquired in 1991.

Location: Ventura County, California; approximately six miles north of Fillmore, California. top

Natural History

The Refuge hosts a variety of habitats which support diverse groups of plant and animal species: 900 acres of grassland which is part of historic condor foraging range, 1049 acres of chaparral and coastal sage scrub, 350 acres of oak and walnut woodland, 110 acres of riparian habitat and 3 acres of fresh water marsh.top

Refuge Objectives

To protect roosting and foraging habitat for the endangered California condor.

To serve as a field base of operations for refuge staff involved with condor reintroduction. Holding facilities are located on the refuge which includes six simulated nest caves and a 30' x 50' flight pen with an electrically charged power pole for power pole aversion training. These facilities are used to hold condors before they are released into the wild or to temporarily hold injured or sick condors.

To provide protection for one of the last remaining intact stands of black walnut in Southern California. top

Management Issues

Bobcats help by controlling rodent populations like ground squirrels and rats. Photo Credit US Fish and Wildlife Service Ivan Hartert April 2008

Monitoring behavior of California condors utilizing Refuge and adjacent lands.

Exotic weed and grass removal.

Fire management.

Facility maintenance.

No hunting is strictly enforced on the Refuge.

Oil and Gas Extraction: The Service does not own sub-surface oil, gas and mineral rights on the Refuge and has no control over oil and gas exploration and drilling. There are currently three oil well pads, which contain producing wells and storage facilities on Refuge land. There is a fourth pad which does not contain any wells or facilities. Public Use Opportunities

The Refuge is closed to the public. The U.S. Forest Service maintains an observation point at Dough Flat in the Los Padres National Forest. top

Questions and Answers

Why is the Refuge closed to the public?
The Refuge is closed to the public due to potential disturbance factors to endangered California condors nesting and feeding in the area. Access is by Special Use Permit only.

Contact the Wildlife Refuge Manager

Wildlife Refuge Manager: Dan Tappe

Email Address: Dan_Tappe@fws.gov

Mailing Address: PO BOX 5839 Ventura, California 93005

Phone Number: (805) 644-5185

 

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