Wildlife habitat conservation is the foundation of the Backcountry Wilderness Area. Since the early 1900s, homes and businesses have slowly surrounded what would become a 13-square-mile island of conservation for wildlife like elk, black bears, mountain lions, golden eagles, bobcats, coyotes, along with many other species of birds, insects, and small mammals. Efforts will continue to improve habitat for all of the wildlife that call the Backcountry Wilderness Area home through fire mitigate, weed management, education, and work on the property.