Bighorn Institute Receives $250,000

Bighorn Sheep

RANCHO MIRAGE, CA – The board of directors of the Mirada Custom Lot Association recently presented the Bighorn Institute with a check for more than $250,000, one of the largest donations the Palm Desert-based non profit has ever received in its 30-year history.

On Wednesday, Nov. 14, Mirada board members and Bighorn Institute principals and board gathered for a jubilant check presentation at the stunning water fountain gateway to the hillside Mirada development, situated near the Ritz Carlton resort and adjacent to pristine Peninsular bighorn sheep habitat.

Working with other regional, state and federal entities, the Institute has helped in the conservation and recovery of the Peninsular bighorn sheep that are found in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains. The number of Peninsular bighorn sheep had declined dramatically since 1979, today the population is about 500.

The board of directors of the Custom Lot Association created an assessment more than 10 years ago to help Bighorn Institute in its work to protect and advance the population of the endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep, a species of bighorn sheep found only in this region.

”Over time, the board forgot about the assessment program and recently looked into the fund. We were astonished to discover that the assessment fund had swelled to $273,000 and the board unanimously voted the time had come to award these funds to Bighorn Institute,” said Andy Gladstein, board president.

The purpose of the assessment was that these funds would augment the protection of the bighorn sheep provided by the fence which was erected by the City to Rancho Mirage to keep the bighorn sheep from looking for food and water in the yards of Mirada residents’ and venture down to the busy Highway 111 corridor where they were in serious danger.

“We are overwhelmed and deeply touched by this extraordinary gift by Mirada Custom Lot Association to assist us in ensuring this magnificent endangered species’ presence in our Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains for future generations to marvel at,” said Jim DeForge, Executive Director of Bighorn Institute. “We hope others in the community will be inspired to do what they can to prevent the loss of these incredible animals,” added DeForge.

Working with other regional, state and federal entities, the Institute has helped in the conservation and recovery of the Peninsular bighorn sheep that are found in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains. The number of Peninsular bighorn sheep had declined dramatically since 1979, today the population is about 500.

Mirada is reached from the extension of Frank Sinatra Drive from Highway III along a natural free flowing mountain landscape roadway. Situated on a secluded plateau overlooking the Coachella Valley, the site enjoys magnificent views of the surrounding hills as well as the valley floor below, from the Banning Pass to La Quinta. Mirada Custom Lot Association is comprised of 109 custom home sites within the Mirada project, located behind its own private security gate. These custom home sites were graded to preserve as much as possible their natural topographic features, while preserving the views surround areas.

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