Contact: Ken Graff
Regional Conservation Authority
(951) 955-9700
Conservation Authority Acquires Three Properties for the MSHCP
The Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority (RCA) highlights its latest acquisitions for
the Western Riverside County MSHCP. These acquisitions collectively known as the Winchester 700 Acquisitions
consists of a total of approximately 2041.47 acres in three separate areas of the County. Murrieta, CA; Warm Springs - Core 2
This acquisition is located north of Murrieta and East of Highway 215, West of Highway 79 and in the area
of the "Hog backs". The property is also known as the Winchester 700 - Murrieta Property.
This acquisition is located within Rough Step Unit 6, Sub Unit 5 in the Murrieta - Temecula Area and was
critical to the preservation and reserve assembly for Core 2 within this Rough Step Unit. The property
consists of approximately 454.43 acres.
Acquisition of this property contributes to the assembly of Core 2 and the conservation efforts focus
on woodland and forest habitat along Warm Springs Creek and adjacent chaparral, coastal sage scrub and
grassland habitat.
In 2006 The County of Riverside and the City of Murrieta requested that the Regional Conservation Authority
consider a Criteria Refinement for Core 2 in the Western Riverside County MSHCP. A workshop and study was
performed for the RCA by the Center for Conservation Biology that found
that large patches of undisturbed coastal sage scrub, chaparral and riparian habitats in the center of the
area were of particular value to the MSHCP. The report found that this area provides Habitat for a variety
of species and elements that are not found in any other area within the Western Riverside County MSHCP.
The vegetation on the property consists of Chaparral, Coastal Sage Scrub, Grasslands and Woodland and Forests,
within MSHCP Critera Cells 5784, 5786, 5876 and 5878.
The Wildlife that has been observed on the site is typical of the vegetation found in this area. Species that have been
observed in this area include:
Coastal California Gnatcatcher, Quino checkerspot butterfly, Bobcat and Los Angeles pocket mouse along Warm
Springs Creek.
View from the east edge of the Winchester 700 Murrieta Property facing North West with the "Hog Backs" in the background.
Wilson Valley - Reed Valley / Sage, CA;
This acquisition is located east of Wilson Valley Road and Northwest of Highway 371. The property is also known
as the Winchester 700 - Wilson Valley Property.
This acquisition is located within Rough Step Unit 4, Sub Unit 2 in the Wilson Valley Sage Area with the REMAP
General Plan Area for the County of Riverside. The property consists of approximately 1191.143 acres.
Acquisition of this property contributes to the assembly of Core 7 and the conservation efforts focus
on chaparral, coastal sage scrub, desert scrub, grassland, riversidean alluvial fan sage scrub and riparian scrub,
woodland forest habitat. This property is also helps to build a linkage between the San Bernardino National
Forest and the Palomar Mountains in San Diego County.
The vegetation on the property consists of Chaparral, Desert Scrubs, Coastal Sage Scrub, Grasslands, Riversidean
Alluvial Fan Sage Scrub, and Riparian Scrub, Woodland Forest,
within MSHCP Critera Cells 6719, 6717, 6718, 6720, 6826, 6824, 6825 and 6827.
The Wildlife that has been observed on the site is typical of the vegetation found in this area. Species that have been
observed in this area include:
Cooper's Hawk, Aguanga kangaroo rat, mountain lion, least Bell's vireo and Coastal California Gnatcatcher.
View from the center area of the Winchester 700 Wilson Valley Property facing North East.
Tule Creek - Anza Valley, CA;
This acquisition is located south of Anza and East of Highway 371. The property is also known
as the Winchester 700 - Tule Valley Property.
This acquisition is located within Rough Step Unit 4, Sub Unit 4 in the Tule Creek and Tule Valley Area with the REMAP
General Plan Area for the County of Riverside. The property consists of approximately 395.61 acres.
Acquisition of this property contributes to the assembly of Core 6 as well as Linkage 16 and the conservation efforts
focus on chaparral, grassland, desert scrub, and riparian scrub, woodland forest habitat.
The vegetation on the property consists of Chaparral, Grasslands, and Desert Scrubs,
within MSHCP Critera Cells 7427, 7431 and 7432.
The Wildlife that has been observed on the site is typical of the vegetation found in this area. Species that have been
observed in this area include:
Aguanga kangaroo rat, Quino checkerspot butterfly, mountain lion, and golden eagle.
View from the center area of the Winchester 700 Wilson Valley Property facing North East.
These properties consists of a total of approximately 2041.47 acres and continues the efforts of the RCA to develop and
maintain a conservation reserve system within Western Riverside County.
Address:
Western Riverside County
Regional Conservation Authority
3403 10th Street, Suite 320
Riverside, CA 92501
Normal Business Hours:
Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm
