Get to know the Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority (RCA)
The RCA was created in 2004 to implement the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan or MSHCP, one of largest conservation plans in the nation. Members of the RCA Board include Riverside County Board of Supervisors and all 18 cities in western Riverside County within the MSHCP boundaries. This includes the cities of Banning, Beaumont, Calimesa, Canyon Lake, Corona, Eastvale, Hemet, Jurupa Valley, Lake Elsinore, Moreno Valley, Menifee, Murrieta, Norco, Perris, Riverside, San Jacinto, Temecula, Wildomar and the unincorporated areas within western Riverside County.
The RCA works closely with other partner agencies including Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Riverside County Park and Open Space District, Riverside County Department of Waste Resources, Riverside County Transportation Commission, California Department of Transportation, and California Department of Parks and Recreation.
The RCA manages lands and monitors plant and animal species to ensure their survival.
Created in 2004
500,000 Acres
Get to Know the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP)
The MSHCP was created to help shape Riverside County’s future, balancing population growth with the challenges of traffic congestion and protecting native plant and animal species.
One of the MSHCP requirements is to form a 500,000-acre habitat reserve for 146 native plant and animal species – of which 34 are endangered or threatened. This means there are plants and animals in western Riverside County whose numbers are so low, that they need to be protected. The RCA buys land that will help these plants and animals survive.
By protecting these plant and animal species, the MSHCP helps streamline infrastructure development (including roads and home building). This helps meet the needs of the region’s growing population.
Get to know the 146 Protected Plant and Animal Species
From mountain lions to arroyo toads to the golden eagle, these are just some of the protected animal species covered by the MSHCP. Plant species include the Mojave Tarplant, Munz’s Onion, and Lemon Lilly. You can see a full list of 146 plant and animal species below, including the 34 threatened or endangered species.
146 Species