The Kern River Preserve is managed by Audubon California for the preservation of one of California’s finest remaining riparian forests and the wildlife it supports.

The South Fork Kern River is home to California's largest lowland riparian forest. It is one of four "Flagship Projects" of the California Riparian Habitat Joint Venture. A shared effort between Audubon-California and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) saved 1,136 acres of this forest. In May 1999, 156 acres of land forming the new Kelso Creek Sanctuary of the Kern River Preserve was purchased by Audubon. On March 31, 2005, Audubon acquired 1,640 acres of Sprague Ranch. Because of this purchase, Audubon’s Kern River Preserve now includes another 5 miles of frontage on the South Fork Kern River. Then in early 2006, another 105 acres were acquired from the Alexander family. In 2009, two parcels were purchased from the heirs of the Alexander family for a total of 106 acres. At last count the total acreage of the contiguous preserve to 2,987 acres.

The Kern River Preserve, and its environs, were one of the first ten sites in the U.S. to receive "Globally Important Bird Area" recognition. 339 bird species have been recorded here. Most significantly, two hundred species nest here including major breeding populations of Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Summer Tanager, and Willow Flycatcher. Audubon-California is engaged in a habitat enhancement program to benefit the Preserve's nesting wetland species including Wood Duck, Mallard, and Cinnamon Teal.