Tejon Ranch Conservancy – Spring 2026 Newsletter Calico Monkeyflower (Diplacus pictus), Joaquin Flats, M. Coleman

The air is filled with the delightful scent of damp earth and the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers, as delicate buds open to reveal stunning colors – cheerful orange poppies, vibrant purple lupines, and bright white popcorn flowers. Even if some wildflowers prefer to stay hidden this season, the spirit of spring wraps around us, spreading warmth and a golden glow that invites us to appreciate the beauty of renewal and growth. As we look ahead to spring 2026, we’re hopeful for another memorable wildflower season and the chance to once again share these landscapes with our community through guided hikes and public access opportunities. California poppies (Eschscholzia californica), Antelope Valley.

This season motivates us to discover the evolving environment, allowing us to recognize the everyday wonders of nature coming to life. Each step reveals new aspects of the world around us, urging us to take note of the changing scenery and the renewed life emerging after winter. A group of hikers at White Wolf, on the northern side of Tejon Ranch, in early February 2026.

In 2019, Dr. Mustapha Ennajeh joined Dr. Anna Jacobsen’s lab at CSU Bakersfield for a multi-year visit as a Fulbright Visiting Scholar. Dr. Ennajeh is a plant ecophysiologist from the University of Gabes in Tunisia and he originally comes from the town of Tataouine – yes, the real-life inspiration for the desert planet Tatooine in Star Wars. He feels right at home studying plants that live in extreme environments. Dr. Mustapha Ennajeh and Dr. Anna Jacobsen sampling saltbush leaves (Atriplex polycarpa) on Tejon Ranch in 2019. Photo by M. Coleman.

So, what were we studying? We were interested in looking at how saltbushes move water through their stems and leaves – and how that plumbing changes depending on where they grow. Inside every plant stem is a network of tiny tubes that carry water from roots to leaves. The size, shape, and arrangement of those tubes can mean the difference between surviving a dry summer or succumbing to drought. Dr. Mustapha Ennajeh on his first trip to see Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) in 2019. I know, I know, they're not saltbushes, but no one is perfect! Photo by A. Jacobsen.

The research team found that the two saltbush species take different approaches. Big saltbush, which often grows in saltier but slightly wetter soils, has wider “pipes” that move water efficiently and support larger leaves. Valley saltbush, which tends to grow in drier, upland sites, has denser wood and narrower pipes that trade efficiency for safety – helping the plant avoid catastrophic failure during extreme drought. Even within the same species, plants growing in different parts of the landscape showed meaningful differences in their internal structure. Mitchell Coleman (then Tejon Ranch Conservancy Staff Biologist) and Dr. Mustapha Ennajeh sampling saltbushes near the old Kern Lake bed in 2019. Photo by A. Jacobsen.

Why does this matter? Because understanding how native plants respond to stress helps guide conservation and restoration. Knowing which saltbush populations are best suited to salty soils versus dry uplands can inform seed sourcing, restoration planning, and long-term stewardship in a changing climate. These shrubs aren’t just survivors – they’re foundation species that support wildlife, stabilize soils, and define the character of the San Joaquin Desert. This collaboration led to two peer-reviewed scientific papers, published in 2023 and 2025, and stands as a great example of how the Tejon Ranch Conservancy connects local conservation work with global science. From the deserts of California to the deserts of Tunisia – and even in a galaxy far, far away – saltbushes remind us that resilience often hides in plain sight. Mitchell Coleman and Dr. Mustapha Ennajeh sampling saltbushes on Tejon Ranch in 2019. Photo by M. Coleman.

Docent Spotlight: Mark Duffel

Mark Duffel is one of the Conservancy’s senior docents and has been a foundational part of our docent program for several years. Over that time, Mark has become deeply woven into the life of the Conservancy – not just as a guide, but as a steady presence, mentor, and enthusiastic ambassador for the Ranch. We thought it would be fun to share a bit more about Mark’s background and what first drew him to Tejon Ranch and to the Conservancy, and why he continues to give his time and energy to this place. How did you first get involved with the Tejon Ranch Conservancy, and what drew you to become a docent? I grew up in East Bakersfield in the 60’s and 70’s with the Tejon Ranch as a backdrop. My father had friends that worked as cowboys on the ranch back in the days when it was primarily a cattle operation. I never knew that the Conservancy even existed until my friend, fellow Marine, California Naturalist, and Tejon Ranch Conservancy Docent Dick Taylor invited me on a private cross ranch group tour during the spring of 2021. And man I was hooked! One of the many roles Mark has taken on is to routinely service the Conservancy's wildlife camera trap array. Here he is checking the battery and SD card status of a camera at Joaquin Flats. Photo by D. Britton.

You’ve participated in everything from the Christmas Bird Count to stewardship projects. Do you have a favorite memory or experience from your time on the Ranch?

That’s asking a lot to pick “one” favorite memory or experience. As I say when I’m anywhere on the ranch … this is one of my hundred and forty-seven favorite places on the ranch. The ranch is awe inspiring in any direction that you look and I’m a believer that we all need more awe in our lives. I will say that one of my favorite tasks is leading public and private access tours where I have the opportunity to teach others about the history of the ranch, its uniqueness, and its importance within the framework of conservation here in California. It’s a privilege to spend time on the ranch. Mark instructing a group of college students on residual dry matter (RDM) monitoring techniques – a standard approach to assessing rangeland health. Photo by M. Uriaz.

What’s something you’ve learned about Tejon Ranch – or about nature in general – that’s stuck with you over the years? You never know what you are going to see around the next corner. Keep looking!

What part of the Ranch or which species still inspires you the most when you’re out in the field? The high ridgelines are by far my favorite places; Cordon Ridge, Middle Ridge, Blue Ridge, Winters Ridge. And my favorite species is the American Badger, which we see only rarely, and is the ranch namesake. Mark and fellow docent Don Britton hiking at Joaquin Flats during a wildlife camera service trip. Photo taken by a wildlife camera.

This year, instead of planting acorns directly into the ground, we will be planting 1,120 valley oak seedlings that are 9-10 months old each. These seedlings have been growing inside a greenhouse at CSU Bakersfield, and they are each planted in a tree tube. These tree tubes have been stapled closed on one end and are currently serving as pots. This simplifies the field planting process, since the staples can simply be removed and each seedling can be planted in each hole with its tree tube already assembled around it. Each tree tube is 24 inches tall, so these will act as a tall, reliable barrier against herbivores. Valley oak seedlings planted in pots fashioned from tree tubes in a greenhouse at CSU Bakersfield. Photo by M. Uriaz.

Additionally, I am studying these valley oak seedlings for my thesis project as a graduate student at CSU Bakersfield! Therefore, after the seedlings have been planted, I will begin collecting data. Before the seedlings are transported to the Ranch for planting, they will be subjected to experimental treatments. In short, I will be testing the effectiveness of two treatments on seedling health and survival: nanochitosan and mycorrhizae. Nanochitosan sounds a bit like a cool, futuristic substance that would be used for time travel, but its real identity is actually much less complex than that. Nanochitosan is a very finely ground powder made from a chemical derivative of an organic biopolymer called chitin. Chitin is naturally found in the exoskeletons of many different types of organisms, such as insects. Many insect species can be harmful to plants, and plants have the ability to activate their “defense mode” after sensing chitin in the exoskeletons of insects. Therefore, I am testing whether treating seedlings with nanochitosan will help them to endure the harsh environmental conditions of the San Joaquin Valley. This western forest scorpion (Uroctonus mordax) is an example of one of the many organisms that have chitin in their exoskeleton. Photo by M. Coleman.

This valley oak restoration project has many complex elements, but the data that we collect will hopefully provide important insight into the reasons that valley oak seedlings are struggling to survive in the natural environment. Furthermore, if these treatments are successful in increasing seedling survival, others could use the same methods to achieve successful valley oak restoration! We will keep you all updated on our progress, and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported the project thus far! Valley oaks in their natural environment at Tejon Ranch. Photo by M. Uriaz.