Walker Canyon in Lake Elsinore is closed until further notice to ensure the safety of residents, visitors, and sensitive habitat.

Evandel Bergstein and Evandel Wilson Acquisitions

Location: The projects are located north of Evandel Road in the unincorporated Sedco Hills area of the County of Riverside.
RCA Area: Sun City/Menifee Valley Area Plan – Subunit 2 – Lower Sedco Hills, Rough Step 6.
Size: Evandel Bergstein:  107.99 acres.  Evandel Wilson:  81.67 acres.
Plant Communities in the area: Chaparral, Woodland Forest.
Species for Conservation: Bell’s Sage Sparrow, Coastal California Gnatcatcher, Grasshopper Sparrow, Southern California Rufous-crowned Sparrow, and Quino Checkerspot Butterfly.

Importance:

The Evandel Bergstein and Evandel Wilson properties consist of approximately 189.66 acres total and are located immediately north of previously conserved lands.

These properties were acquired by RCA on May 15, 2015 and May 29, 2015 with State and Federal grant funding.  The properties are located within Cells 5355 and 5356 of the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (Western Riverside County MSHCP).

The Evandel Bergstein and Evandel Wilson properties contain important biological resources including Woodland Forest habitat.

Wildlife and Habitat Value:

The subject properties are located in a critical conservation area within the Western Riverside County MSHCP, identified as Linkage 8.  These properties connect to conserved lands to the south.  Conservation of this land helps assemble the reserve for this area and protect important habitat for many species including Southern California Rufous-crowned Sparrow.