Physical Description: The Mockingbird Canyon Preserve is located near the east shore of Lake Mathews, in unincorporated Riverside County, California. Conservation easements recorded between 1996 and 2002, cover portions of Mockingbird Creek and two seasonal tributaries of Mockingbird Creek, including portions of private residential lots. The area is rapidly being converted to suburban residential neighborhoods, but Mockingbird Creek and its riparian woodlands are important for the conservation of endangered species and for reducing the threats from flooding. The Center for Natural Lands Management (Center) protects approximately 38 acres of easement lands on this preserve.

Conservation Purpose: The Mockingbird Canyon Preserve was created in agreements between the developer of Mockingbird Estates, the California Department of Fish and Game, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to avoid negatively impacting Mockingbird Creek and its tributaries. Two parcels of Riversidian sage scrub in Tract 22742 (two triangular sections in the southern limits of the preserve) were protected to mitigate for impacts to the federally threatened coastal California gnatcatcher, a rare bird found only in southern California and northern Baja California. The primary purpose for protecting Mockingbird Creek and its tributaries is to reduce the potential for flooding along the creek. By retaining native vegetation and preventing alterations within the flood plain, downstream flooding is reduced. The woodlands surrounding Mockingbird Creek are also home to several pairs of the federally endangered least Bell's vireo. The least Bell's vireo was one of the most common birds in California riparian woodlands, prior to widespread alterations of creeks. Now, through the construction of dams and concrete channels, and the expansion of non-native plants such as tamarisk, few of these birds remain. Other species that are declining in California but regularly occur in Mockingbird Creek include yellow warbler, yellow-breasted chat, and Cooper's hawk. The conditions of the easement also require that the public retains access to a trail for hiking and equestrian use.

Habitat Types: Mockingbird Creek supports mature riparian woodland with large cottonwoods and willows, and an undergrowth of dense mulefat and stinging nettle. During grading activities for construction of the Mockingbird Estates, much of the vegetation within the tributaries was removed and has since been replaced with annual grasses. The Center is working to restore these seasonal streams to support a cover of mulefat and willows. Two parcels on the south end of the preserve are in the uplands and support mature Riversidian sage scrub.

Management: The Center does not have management responsibilities or funds for management. Rather, protection for the conservation values on this preserve is afforded through monitoring the property owners' compliance with the terms of the conservation easements. This generally involves regular visits to verify owners have not cleared vegetation or altered the landscape within the easement. The Center also collaborates with local equestrian clubs to maintain the trails that meander through the easement. The Santa Ana Watershed Association, through special arrangements with the Center, monitors the least Bell's vireo population and traps brown-headed cowbirds, a species that parasitizes vireo nests.

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Manager: The preserve is managed by Kim Klementowski.

For information and inquiries please contact:

Kim Klementowski
Preserve Manager
Phone: (951) 226-7228
e-mail: kklementowski@cnlm.org