A Message from our Executive Director Andrea Gullo

As you may have heard, Measure PH on the November election ballot passed with over 68% approval by the voters!

With the leadership of our Board of Directors, and input by its Citizen’s Technical Advisory Committee, Measure PH was put to a vote of the people in November, and they solidly showed that they value the hills! Upon passage of Measure PH, Ivan Sulic, Chair of the Habitat Authority’s Board of Directors, in part stated, “…The surrounding residents have fought hard over the decades to protect the rich biological diversity of these hills and to keep it accessible. It is clear time and time again that the voters have shown what they value and care about – their love of the hills.”

Passage of this measure will contribute to wildfire prevention activities of the Puente Hills and ensure that the trails and wildlife habitats managed by the Habitat Authority will remain protected. This historic happening will benefit the surrounding communities for generations to come. Click here for our press release and news article.

Please join us on December 11 (see the invitation below) to help celebrate the holidays and this historic passage of Measure PH. 

To stay up to date on the activities of the Habitat Authority in the future and how Measure PH will benefit the hills and communities please visit our website or signup to receive our monthly public meeting agendas.

Winter is a lovely time in the hills. Though the days are shorter, the cooler temperatures make it perfect for outdoor activities. We encourage you to explore the trails and see what’s new. For instance, in August the Worsham and Turnbull Canyon Trails were maintained making them safer and more enjoyable to use; in November, the Conservation Corps of Long Beach did a fabulous job clearing the Puma Trail (click here for the social post); and along the Powder Canyon Trail you can now clearly see the start of our latest habitat restoration project (see the story below).

Our team is small but dedicated, working diligently to uphold the mission, vision, and values of the agency. On behalf of myself and my colleagues, Program Analyst Marlyn Barajas and Ecologist Michelle Mariscal, we sincerely wish you and your families a joyful and healthy holiday season!

Metro Heights Restoration Project

We are pleased to announce that site preparation activities have begun on our new 12-acre habitat restoration project, which has been fully funded by an outside source! The aim of this project is to replace weedy, fire-prone, low biodiversity areas with Coastal Sage Scrub vegetation to benefit a Federally-threatened songbird, the Coastal California Gnatcatcher, and other wildlife. Coastal Sage Scrub is a native plant community of drought tolerant, aromatic shrubs that is rich in biodiversity and has a much slower rate of fire spread compared to weeds and grasses. Typical plants found in this habitat include California sagebrush, California buckwheat, and purple sage (although there are many, many more!). Currently the project areas have been cleared of all weedy material and irrigation lines are being installed. The sites will be irrigated for up to two years following planting and seeding in order to develop deeply rooted vegetation that will withstand future drought conditions. Restoration projects like this are vital to our efforts to enhance habitat quality for native wildlife, strengthen local ecosystems, and improve connectivity within the Puente-Chino Hills Wildlife Corridor.

Poison Oak

The Preserve’s native poison oak thickets are gearing up for the holiday season by showing off some bright festive colors! During fall months, the leaves begin their change from shiny bright green to brilliant red and russet colors before ultimately falling off once winter rolls through. But don’t be deceived by its beautiful colors in the fall or the leafless stems in the winter, poison oak oils are present in the plant all year round. Although the oils do not harm wildlife, they can cause skin irritation in humans if contact is made with damaged leaves or stems (brushing against intact poison oak plants typically does not lead to a rash, however we don’t recommend testing that theory!). While the leaves are still present, the rhyme “leaves of three, let it be” is helpful for identifying the plant-- and a reminder to enjoy with your eyes only. Like with all native plants, it serves an important ecological role providing food and shelter for a variety of wildlife, including birds, small mammals, and insects.

Click here for social post.

Answer to last month's newsletter question: "The love of trails is universal. Which is your favorite Trailhead?" 28.1% reported Powder Canyon, 26.4% reported Sycamore Canyon, 19.8% reported Hellman Park, 9.9% reported Hacienda Hills, 9.9% reported Turnbull Canyon, and 5.8% reported Arroyo Pescadero.