California farmers turn 136-acre farm into thriving wildlife corridor
Peter and Debbie Hunter have spent decades restoring their 136-acre Davis farm, creating a riparian habitat that now supports birds, quail, cougars and other wildlife.
In 1988 Peter and Debbie Hunter launched a long-term restoration of their family’s 136-acre farm near Davis, California, planting native willows, oaks and other vegetation along Dry Creek. Partnering with Audubon’s Landowner Stewardship Program, they joined 15 neighboring farmers to protect over 300 acres of riparian corridor in the Sacramento Valley. The restored hedgerows now host more than 200 bird species, quail coveys, turkeys, a cougar that descends from the Coast Range, and even a merlin falcon.
Audubon staff note that the vegetation slows sediment and chemical runoff, benefiting the Sacramento River’s endangered salmon. The Hunters, both trained as scientists, view the project as a long-term investment, acknowledging that noticeable results take five to ten years. Their success illustrates how private landowners can collaborate with NGOs and government agencies to create resilient ecosystems amid ongoing urban development.
Why it matters
It shows how farms can protect wildlife and water quality while remaining productive.
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