Dear Hillside Supporter,
It’s been a cold wet winter, but as the sun warms the planet, it will resprout our wildflowers. We expect a good spring bloom of poppies with the plentiful rains. With the poppies, come the people. Please remember to stay on authorized trails as you pursue that "perfect photo." You'll know it is an authorized trail if it is found on the official park map. Just because you see bare ground that looks like a trail doesn't mean the trail is approved by the park. It is important to also keep in mind that when you step on a poppy, or any other wildflower, they won’t go to seed and therefore, won’t bloom next year. Remind others to become poppy protectors too! The beauty belongs to all of us, this year and next. Happy Spring!
Sincerely,
Claire Schlotterbeck
Executive Director
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670 Acres Protected as B Canyon
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This month, we can celebrate the conservation of even more land. Another 670 acres of hillside land has been saved from development in our region. The land abuts Chino Hills State Park on the south side of the 91 Freeway just east of the Riverside / Orange County line. The property will also eventually provide a secondary wildlife crossing at B Canyon for wildlife under the 91 Freeway. The land was purchased by the Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority (WRCA) as part of its mitigation effort to offset development and transportation projects in Riverside County. Protecting lands is part of a state, national, and international effort to conserve 30% of lands and coastal waters by 2030 (dubbed 30x30). This acquisition helps our region meet this goal. Congrats to WRCA!
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State Park Climate Resilience Report Out
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The California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) owns and manages 280 state park units, including Chino Hills State Park. These parks protect wildlife, plants, and cultural resources, and provide recreational trails and educational opportunities for millions of residents and visitors to enjoy. Climate threats, like more frequent wildfires, are increasing every year and building a resilient state park system is imperative. The California State Parks Foundation released a first of its kind report on how to build climate resilience. There are seven recommendations from the report on how the state should tackle these issues. One example, is rethinking how funding is allocated for state conservation goals, specifically 30x30. One billion dollars was available for 30x30 for state agencies over a three year period. And yet, DPR only received one percent of those dollars ($12 million). That's not enough to rise to the challenge before us. We encourage you to read this report and support continued conservation goals.
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For those of us who have hummingbird feeders, we know those little birds are fierce. They constantly fight over their preferred spot on the feeder and chase away frenemies, zooming in and out, turning on a dime. With those exaggerated beaks they are like tiny raptors. But, they are pollinators—not predators, unless you are an insect. Hummingbirds are the smallest migrating bird. Their name stems from the sound their rapidly beating wings make, although to some it is more of a buzz than a hum. They are the only bird that can fly backwards and they weigh less than a nickel. They are amazing and elusive little creatures. Enjoy the gifts these little feathered friends are.
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