Wild Pigs at Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve

In 2017, The Nature Conservancy took ownership of the 24,000 acre Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve with the aim to protect, restore, and manage the preserve’s natural and cultural resources. These resources are currently under threat by wild pigs.

Why pigs matter

Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are an invasive ungulate species whose destructive behaviors threaten ecosystems across the state of California and beyond. They are generalists with high reproductive potential and a destructive foraging technique that native plants have not developed resistance to. Effectively managing the preserve’s wild pig population will be key in protecting, restoring, and managing the natural and cultural resources. The scientific literature is clear that non-native wild pig populations cause significant negative impacts to California native species. If no action is taken, the wild pigs of Dangermond are likely to undermine many of the stewardship goals TNC has implemented.

“Effectively managing the preserve’s wild pig population will be key in protecting, restoring, and managing the natural and cultural resources”

— Moses Katkowski, JLDP Stewardship Manager

Our Group Project Objectives

1. Analyze existing data and management strategies for feral pig management at Dangermond Preserve to inform TNC’s long-term management plan to reduce and/or eliminate the negative impacts of feral pigs on the preserve’s natural and cultural resources.

2.  Develop community outreach material on the environmental and economic costs and benefits of feral pigs to encourage public support in active management efforts.