Looking for a unique outdoor space to explore and deepen your connection with nature? Check out our Cienega Canyon Preserve!
Located in San Timoteo Canyon in the city of Calimesa, this 358-acre property encompasses a unique array of natural landscapes including riparian woodland along a perennial creek, coastal sage scrub and chaparral on steep rugged hillsides, oak woodland nestled in the valleys, and a seasonally flooded cienega. Rivers & Lands Conservancy acquired Cienega Canyon Preserve in 2003 with grant funds from the California Wildlife Conservation Board. Since then, the property has been open to the public for passive recreation activities such as hiking, bicycling, and bird watching.
As the surrounding region continues to develop, Cienega Canyon Preserve provides an oasis of valuable habitat for local plants and wildlife and important open space for people to enjoy as well. Through our Cienega Canyon Preserve Conservation Program, we are actively engaging the public and partners in ongoing habitat restoration projects, outdoor recreation programming, and education activities on the Preserve. Keep reading below to learn more about this special place and how you can care for and enjoy it as well. 💚
But first, what’s a “cienega”?
A cienega is a unique type of wetland found in the American Southwest. Undisturbed cienegas are characterized as wet meadows with permanently saturated soils that are found within otherwise dry landscapes. The hydrology of many cienegas, including the namesake of our Preserve, have been hydrologically altered or drained to make the land more suitable for agricultural or residential use. As a result, cienegas are now very rare in the region.
Rivers & Lands Conservancy is working to restore our cienega and bring it closer to historic conditions for the benefit of native plants and wildlife, as well as for the water resource conservation value that is so important to our region.
“The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn,” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Cienega Canyon Preserve encompasses the largest coast live oak woodland within San Timoteo Canyon.
Did you know oak woodlands are home to more species of plants and animals than any other land-based ecosystem in California? The coast live oak trees found in the Preserve’s 80-acre oak woodland are among THE MOST important plants for local wildlife with over 300 different animal species depending on them for food and shelter. The role of oaks in sustaining wildlife, from birds to mammals to insects, is one of many reasons why oak conservation is so vital.
In case you want to nerd out about coast live oaks with us, here are some interesting facts! Coast live oaks (also known as Quercus agrifolia) are typically found within about 60 miles of the Pacific Ocean , coast live oaks are a native, evergreen tree, reaching over 80 feet in height and up to 12 feet in diameter. They are known for their dark green leaves, unique branching pattern, and long, narrow acorns. A healthy, mature tree can produce tens of thousands of acorns in one season in a peak year. These majestic trees can live for over 250 years.
Unfortunately, oak woodlands face many challenges, including drought, pests, and disease.
To address these challenges, Rivers & Lands Conservancy works with local community partners, volunteers, and students to protect and restore oak woodland habitat at Cienega Canyon Preserve. Together we can ensure these oak trees will be a lasting part of this landscape for future generations of wildlife and people.
Interested in getting involved? Check out our events calendar here for volunteer opportunities where you can sign up to help with a variety of seasonal activities such as collecting acorns, planting acorns, and watering oak planting sites.
Are you an educator who would like to get your students involved? Check out our Acorns to Oaks program here to learn more about how we’re engaging local youth in our efforts.
Want to learn more about our recent discovery of goldspotted oak borer at the Preserve? Click here to learn more about this non-native, invasive beetle and how we can all take steps to prevent it from spreading further.
Currently the preserve can be accessed in three locations as shown on the map: Crenshaw Street Trailhead, O’Grady Court Trailhead, and the Palmer Ave Utility Road Trailhead. Note the metal swing gate off San Timoteo Canyon Road remains locked and is accessible to authorized vehicles only.
Allowed… Not allowed…
Community-Based Restoration
Acorn collection, oak seedling planting and maintenance, riparian plantings etc etc volunteer with us
Community Events
Coming soon!! Join us for activities like bird walks, insect walks, native plant identification, nature writing, and other fun nature excursions on the preserve. Interested in joining us for nature walks and activities on the preserve or have a suggestion for events you would like to see us offer? Fill out our interest form here. (DONT LET ME FORGET TO MAKE A FORM _RO)
Acorns to Oaks Environmental Education Program
Acorns to Oaks introduces under-served high school and middle school biology students to oak ecology and stewardship through hands-on restoration of native coast live oak woodland at Cienega Canyon Preserve. Learn more on our Acorns to Oaks Environmental Education Program Page.
You can support the future of Cienega Canyon Preserve! Something something something the quick gray fox jumped over the lazy brown dog
Volunteer
Volunteer blah blah blah . Join our newsletter to keep up to date with current happenings and volunteer opportunities. Check our calendar.
Donate
Donate or become a member! Every donation of every size matters. We depend on support from grantors, corporate sponsors, and community members to restore, maintain, and improve the preserve for wildlife and the public.
Thank you for helping ensure wild open spaces remain for all the benefits they provide!
Stay in Touch!
Rivers & Lands Conservancy envisions Cienega Canyon Preserve as a respite for the surrounding community, an environmental learning lab for our youth, and a forever home for the wildlife that depends on its habitat. We are in the early stages of evaluating the constraints and opportunities of this vision and hope the community will join us in our efforts to realize the Preserve’s potential.
If you are interested in being kept informed about happenings and programs at Cienega Canyon Preserve, please click here to share your information and we’ll keep you informed! AGAIN REBECCA MAKE THAT FORM
