Since 2002, the Mountain Lion Foundation has been working one-on-one with local 4-H and FFA Clubs throughout California to create and test pro-active methods for preventing livestock depredation.  This partnership has provided a greater understanding of the complex contributing factors in lion-livestock incidents, and more importantly, helped establish effective preventive measures and solutions.  Now youth groups of the Central Sierra have the opportunity to focus on their region to share and apply the lessons learned over the last five years.  One group will be selected in each of the seven counties – including Plumas, Sierra, Nevada, El Dorado, Placer, Amador and Calaveras Counties – as the new Rural Partners. 

The Mountain Lion Foundation is seeking youth groups, such as 4H and FFA Clubs, active in animal husbandry and whose members have a desire to learn and implement pro-active methods for protecting their livestock.  Selected groups can be a model for the community and a positive example of conservation for youth groups across the country.  If your organization works with youth groups who would like to explore new and more effective methods to increase their livestock’s safety, while conserving the native wildlife in the region, you can recommend them as Rural Partners.  If you don’t know any groups who would be eligible, but you would like to help spread the word about this collaborative effort to protect domestic and wild animals, please contact us. To be a Rural Partner applications are also available online at www.MountainLion.org. For more information call Emily Cunnison at Northern California Field Representative at 800-319-7621 ext. 106.