NEAR METTLER, Calif. -- Kern County has many things to offer, but some you might not even know about.

ABC 23's newest series focuses on these hidden treasures, we begin with the Wind Wolves Preserve at the southern edge of the valley.

Don't be fooled by the name, there aren't any wolves at this preserve, rather Wind Wolves is in reference to tall grasses blowing in the wind and at the private preserve you will find those grasses, wild life and much more.

In the shadow of Highway 166, beyond the orchards and oil fields is one of Kern County's hidden treasures.

"Its impossible to beat spring time with the flowers we have right now," said David Clendenen, an Ecologist with the Wind Wolves Preserve. "Its a spectacular year, we haven't had wildflowers like this since 2003, so its really great."

For the last 11 years, the Wild Lands Conservancy, which has private reserves across the state has been culling and perfecting the Wind Wolves Preserve, which covers 97,000 acres, making it the largest privately-owned nature preserve on the west coast.

The conservancy's dual mission: Fund free education programs to teach children about nature and to preserve the beauty and bio-diversity of the earth.

"Not only do we need them, but because of a sense of poetry and completion in our own lives, the earth itself needs to regenerate itself, it needs large places where animals can travel. The wildlife corridors need to be preserved," said Dan York, Associate Director at the Wildlands Conservancy

And wildlife certainly abounds as we saw in a special guided tour given to us by David and Sherryl Clendenen, two of the Wind Wolves Preserve's staffers.

From red tail hawks and others flying over head, to an owl taking shelter in its nest perhaps with offspring, to coyotes enjoying the sun of a Saturday afternoon.

Visitors can of course picnic at the preserve, but most come to hike or mountain bike along the many trails, while everyone from Girl Scout Troops to schools come to learn about nature at the preserve as about 11,000 students from throughout the state come thru each year.

The open trails traverse thru San Emigdio Canyon, going as far south as five miles from Pine Mountain Club.

The canyon has a long history, first being used by Spanish Expeditions in 1806, to becoming a the San Emigdio Ranch in 1842. The Ranch was also owned by American explorer John C. Ferment a decade later before becoming a cattle ranch by 1890 when the Kern County Land Company took it over and also began oil exploration and extraction, some of which continues to this day. And by the way, San Emigdio is the patron saint for earthquakes, which is coincidental to say the least because the San Andreas Fault cross its upper reaches.

"I think everyone, they bring something, and determined by what they bring, they will take something away," York said. "But there's something, a beautiful something. I think the more they come out, the more inspiring, the more you realize how much we need this."

And this is just the beginning as the Wildlands Conservancy continues its work more parts of the reserve will be open to the public, all for free.

"Its really gratifying, we get it all the time, where people have driven down 166, the highway down there, had no idea what was up here, just saw the sign decided to come up and see what's its all about, and we're just delighted," David Clendenen said.

"We welcome everyone to come out and fall in love again with nature and being in it," York said.

The Wind Wolves Preserve just recently had its 100,00 student come thru, but with schools cutting back on their budgets fewer field trips are being planned locally.

The preserve is open to the public every weekend from 8am to 5pm, camping is allowed with a permit and schools and groups do come in during the week.

But as beautiful as the preserve is, it can be dangerous, mountain lions, rattlesnakes and bears, are found on the preserve quite regularly. But no hunting is allowed.

For more on the Wind Wolves Preserve log on to their website at: www.wildlandsconservancy.org/

If you know of somewhere or some place we should explore, let us know, e-mail Chris Van Horne at chris@turnto23.com