Earlier this year, the Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority (RCA) celebrated 670 additional acres of land with the acquisition of the B-Canyon 2 property near Corona for the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) reserve. The entire B-Canyon reserve is now 701 acres, allowing for the protection of 14,000 acres of habitat between the Chino Hills State Park to the 68,000 acres of protected land in the Santa Ana Mountains.

B-Canyon is a lifeline for wildlife. It provides crucial support for nesting, feeding, and travel for a variety of MSHCP-protected species such as the coastal California gnatcatcher, southern California rufous-crowned sparrow, and bobcat. The reserve holds immense significance for the regional mountain lion population—a candidate for listing as Threatened or Endangered under the California Endangered Species Act. The fact that mountain lions have been spotted using existing culverts and crossings at B-Canyon to cross State Route 91 is a clear testament to the reserve’s importance.

Through a strong partnership between Caltrans, California Wildlife Conservation Board, and RCA, an undercrossing at B-Canyon and State Route 91 has been identified for improvement. This is a significant step towards enhancing the habitat for wildlife and providing safe passage for the mountain lions and other species in the area. Caltrans crews will be straightening a culvert crossing below State Route 91, a modification that will significantly improve the line of sight for the wildlife passing through. As humans, we avoid entering tunnels where we cannot see an opening on the other side, an instinct also shared by wildlife – especially mountain lions.

The improvements are expected to increase the rate of survival for species traveling between Chino Hills State Park and the Santa Ana Mountains. Not only do undercrossings help the movement of wildlife but they also reduce the risk to motorists and enhance genetic diversity for the species that inhabit the region, providing a brighter future for wildlife conservation.

In addition to being an important wildlife corridor, B-Canyon is also home to the coastal California gnatcatcher, which is federally listed as Threatened. The B-Canyon reserve varies in elevation by 2,000 feet, allowing species to move higher or lower to adapt to changing climates and boost biodiversity in the region.