Rocklin, Calif., March 12, 2018 – The 2017-2018 lecture series of the Sierra College Natural History Museum continues on Friday, March 16th with “The History and Current Status of Wolverines in California”, a presentation by Chris Stermer, wildlife biologist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Join us Friday evening at 7:30pm to learn more about these fascinating and elusive carnivores. The presentation will be in Sewell Hall (room 111) on the Sierra College-Rocklin Campus.
Chris Stermer, a wildlife biologist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, will share current information about the wolverine, the largest of the nine mustelid species that naturally occur in California. The wolverine, the mascot of Sierra College, is also the rarest mustelid species in California. Based on the combined efforts by multiple researchers surveying for predators in the State’s montane regions, California is currently home to a single wild wolverine. The presence of this lone wolverine was discovered in February 2008 by Katie Moriarty, a graduate student, while researching the Pacific marten in the Tahoe National Forest. This surprising discovery was the first verifiable account of a wolverine in California since 1922, and further genetic analysis indicated it is a male wolverine related to populations found in the Sawtooth Mountain Range of western Idaho.
Since this discovery, a handful of biologists continue to monitor this wolverine, each year confirming its continued solitary existence in the region of the original discovery, and hoping for the possibility that a second wolverine (i.e. a mate) will be discovered. The focus of this presentation will be on the CDFW’s ongoing monitoring efforts of this wolverine, and additional multi-species predator monitoring throughout the Sierra Nevada, which in addition to gaining a better understanding of montane predator ecology, also helps to confirm whether additional wolverines occur in California. This information will be critical as the Department investigates the viability of reintroducing this animal back into California.
This presentation is part of the Sierra College Natural History Museum’s 2017-2018 lecture series, and will be held on Friday, March 16 at 7:30 pm in Sewell Hall, room 111. Tickets are available at the door. Prices are General $5 / Students and Seniors $2 / Museum members free. All proceeds benefit the Sierra College Natural History Museum.
The Sierra College Rocklin Campus is located at 5100 Sierra College Boulevard in Rocklin. There is no charge for parking after 4pm on Friday. For more information, call the Sierra College Natural History Museum at 916-660-7926.
About Sierra College
Sierra College District is rising to the needs of our community. Sierra College serves 3200 square miles of Northern CA with campuses in Roseville, Rocklin, Grass Valley, and Truckee. With approximately 125 degree and certificate programs, Sierra College is ranked first in Northern California (Sacramento north) for transfers to four year Universities, offers career/technical training, and classes for upgrading job skills. Sierra graduates can be found in businesses and industries throughout the region. More information at www.sierracollege.edu.