The habitats and wildlife of this Nature Preserve need your help!
Over the next several months we will be working hard to protect, restore and enhance the very rare and valuable Coastal Sage Scrub habitats along the west bluffs of the Nature Preserve.

It is a community of low-growing, fragrant shrubs and other plants that grow on our hillsides and canyons and is found only in southern and Baja California. It is made up of nearly 550 species of plants that are well adapted to our wet winters and dry summer climate. Many of these plants lose their leaves in summer to conserve water.

Why should we protect and restore it?

There are 100 specialized plants and animals that exist nowhere else and depend on coastal sage scrub. With the continued disappearance of this habitat these species are threatened with extinction. Biologist estimate that 75-90% of this community is lost. It is also estimated that 25% of the remaining coastal sage scrub in Orange County is degraded. Some of the animals that depend on coastal sage scrub include: California gnatcatcher, cactus wren, sage sparrow, San Diego horned lizard, orange-throated whiptail lizard and the little pocket mouse.

What To Look For and How You Can Help

You are encouraged to continue to enjoy the paved multi use trail along Irvine Avenue and University Drive and Back Bay Drive.

Grace Yick
County Ranger

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