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Physical Description: The Coyote Hills East Preserve is located in the City of Fullerton, Orange County,
and consists of 120 acres of coastal sage scrub, cactus scrub, and riparian woodland. The preserve lies south of Bastanchury
Road, west of State College Boulevard, and east of Brea Boulevard, and is intermixed with the Coyote Hills Golf Course. Most
of the preserve is inaccessible to the public except when golfing or using the trail through the city-owned Panorama Park.
The trail is the best way to experience the preserve because it passes over the highest point and has a scenic overlook.
Interpretive signs along the trail also help to explain the conservation values of the preserve.
Conservation Purpose: The preserve was established by UNOCAL. UNOCAL operated an oil and gas field in
the area, some of which remains active, before subdividing the properties and selling the lands to residential development
and a private golf course operator. The development plans created by UNOCAL required mitigation for impacts to the
threatened California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica), so the golf course was designed to accommodate the
required habitat conservation area. UNOCAL revegetated the disturbed areas before transferring the preserve to CNLM. The
revegetation was very successful, as evidenced by the increase in California gnatcatchers from fewer than 10 pairs to more
than 30 pairs in just five years. The endangered least Bell's vireo (Vireo belli belli) is also present.
Habitat Types: Most of the preserve is covered by dense coastal sage scrub. Several patches of prickly
pearcactus (Opuntia littoralis) scrub are interspersed with the sage scrub. A small creek runs through the golf
course and preserve, and a well-developed riparian woodland is supported. The riparian woodlands are a mix of sycamore,
cottonwood and willow.
Management: Much of the sage scrub is self-sustaining and requires little assistance. Most of our
activities focus on controlling invasive exotic weeds, the worst of which are pepper trees, eucalyptus trees, pampas grass,
castor bean, and several species of thistle. We also are removing brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) which
parasitize the nests of the California gnatcatcher and least Bell's vireo.
To download brochure click, Here.
Manager: The Coyote Hills East 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 |
