The 161-acre Yaudanchi Ecological Reserve consists of low-lying flatlands and riparian habitat. The most significant wildlife feature is the great blue herons, which nest on the reserve each year. Other wildlife at the reserve include various riparian bird species, the California legless lizard, the giant garter snake, and the San Joaquin kit fox. Past land use history is rather diverse, being the site of sewer settling ponds, early California homesteads, and part of a Yokut Indian Reservation. The purposes of the acquisition were to preserve one of three significant known great blue heron rookeries in Tulare County and to protect a popular local area for wildlife viewing. The property was designated as an ecological reserve by the Fish and Game Commission in 1977. For more information, call the Central Region Fresno office Conservation Building at (559) 243-4014.