The Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority (RCA) has acquired the 164 acre Karam 2 property east of French Valley and the City of Murrieta for permanent conservation. Purchased for $7,109,000, the property advances the RCA’s goal of conserving 500,000 acres under the MSHCP. Near Diamond Valley Lake, Lake Skinner, and Johnson Ranch, the property provides habitat for a variety of wildlife. Covered species found in the area include the Quino checkerspot butterfly, Stephens’ kangaroo rat, mountain lion, bobcat, coastal California gnatcatcher, southern California rufous-crowned sparrow, coyote, and turkey vulture.

Adjacent to existing MSHCP conservation lands, the property expands a connected core habitat that supports both resident wildlife and species movement around Diamond Valley Lake, Lake Skinner, and Johnson Ranch.

The property was purchased using RCA’s MSHCP funds, which is comprised of mostly Local Development Mitigation Fees, supplemented by Federal and State grants and other mitigation fees. By conserving the Karam 2 property, the RCA is protecting vital habitat, preserving critical wildlife corridors, and helping Western Riverside County’s diverse landscapes support native species for future generations.