The RCA continues to advance toward assembling 500,000 acres of habitat reserve for the 146 species it protects. Several properties recently added to the RCA’s habitat reserve were made possible by a combination of state, local, and federal funding. Some of recently acquired land include:

The Nichols Road Assemblage – These 33.65 acres of assembled land supports grasslands and riparian scrub, woodland, and forest habitats and is home to MSHCP covered narrow endemic plant species such as Coulter’s goldfields.

 

The Rome Hill Land Trust Property – This property comprises 2.79 acres of land and conserves unique soils to support narrow endemic plant species. The habitat features grasslands, chaparral, and riparian scrub and is home to species such as the coastal California gnatcatcher, turkey vulture, coyote, and smooth tar plant, and possibly the northern harrier, loggerhead shrike, and bobcat.

 

The Nakka Property – This property comprises of 69.62 acres. The property supports grassland, riparian scrub, and vernal pool habitats. As a home for turkey vultures and San Diego black-tailed jackrabbits, the property may also be home to the coyote, bobcat, northern harrier, loggerhead shrike, and narrow endemic plant species such as little mousetail, and smooth tarplant.

 

The Haley Property – This property comprises 19 acres located near the community of Aguanga that supports chaparral habitat. The property may support MSHCP covered species such as Quino checkerspot butterfly, coastal California gnatcatcher, Stephens’ kangaroo rat, Bell’s sage sparrow, turkey vulture, and bobcat.

 

Saul’s Family Trust – This property comprises 20 acres of land and is located in the Anza area of unincorporated Riverside County. The property supports chapparal vegetation and is expected to support MSHCP covered species such as the Quino Checkerspot butterfly, Stephen’s kangaroo rat, bobcat, and bobcat.

 

Darby Property – This property comprises 3 acres of land and is located in the city of Lake Elsinore in the westerly region of the Plan Area. The property features grassland and chaparral habitats that support rare, narrow endemic plant species and MSHCP species such as the northern harrier, loggerhead shrike, coastal California gnatcatcher, turkey vulture, coyote, bobcat, and smooth tarplant.

 

These acquisitions would not be possible without the RCA’s partnership with elected officials who support habitat conservation. The RCA continues to coordinate closely with local, state, and federal partners to protect 146 native species across western Riverside County and ensure the success of the MSHCP while streamlining needed transportation and infrastructure projects.