11/1/24 Community comes together to restore habitat for endangered species in the Jurupa Hills

Habitat restoration typically involves planting native plants, but a recent project in the Jurupa Hills required ripping them out. Last month community members came together to restore habitat for endangered species in the Jurupa Hills, in the cities of Fontana and Jurupa Valley.

10/4/24 Incorporating defensible space in landscaping helps protect against wildfires

The Inland Empire is watching as the Line Fire, Bridge Fire, and Airport Fire wind down to a smolder. As the containment percentages rise and the smoke finally settles, we must continue to stay vigilant. Incorporating defensible space principles isn’t just a precaution—it’s a vital shield for our homes. Here, the threat of fire is a persistent reality, making defensible space an essential strategy to safeguard our neighborhoods from catastrophic blazes.

9/3/2024 Delhi Sands flower-loving fly found only near Colton is a rare sight

The endangered Delhi Sands flower-loving fly can only be found in the Colton dunes, but their behavior and legal protections make them a rare sight. Most of the year Delhi Sands flower-loving flies live below the surface in their larval state, burrowing through the sand eating other insect larvae. Their flight season lasts from June to September, and they are most active between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm, but that does not mean they are easy to find.

9/3/2023 Rivers & Lands Conservancy Receives Greenspace Enhancement Grant from The Toro Company

Dedicated to revitalizing the outdoor spaces where employees live and work, The Toro Company is proud to announce that Rivers & Lands Conservancy is receiving a $36,400 grant as part of the company’s Greenspace Enhancement Grant Program. The grant will go towards the California Native Plant Gardens Program and aligns with The Toro Company's ongoing commitment to help cultivate sustainable outdoor environments and enhance public green spaces.

8/30/2025 Rivers & Lands Conservancy Presentation at the Sage Society in Hemet

The SAGE Society of Hemet is pleased to announce a special presentation on September 10, titled “Connecting With Nature in the Inland Empire: Conservation and Ways to Enjoy Our Open Spaces.” The event will feature Rebecca O’Connor, Co-Executive Director of the Rivers & Lands Conservancy, who will provide an insightful overview of local conservation efforts and discuss the numerous benefits of connecting with nature.

7/31/24 Tips for creating a summer oasis in your garden to help native wildlife thrive

Creating a summer oasis in your garden helps wildlife thrive despite high temperatures. As the community weathers July heatwaves and braces for August, it’s hard not to peer out the windows and wonder how wildlife is managing. Finding food, water, and shelter during the summer can be extra difficult for wild animals, especially for creatures who have been displaced by wildfires.

7/8/2024 A look at the ecological importance of wildfires

Acknowledging the history of wildfire suppression can help us ignite ecological solutions for our future. In the sun-blessed landscape of Southern California, wildfires have long danced across the horizon, shaping the land in ways both dramatic and profound.

5/29/24 Ways to defend native habitats from the threat of invasive plants

Integrated Pest Management defends SoCal native habitats from the threat of invasive plants. Here in southern California, we are fortunate to be a short drive from a diverse array of landscapes. We have it all, from coastal sage scrub, riparian streams, alpine forests and inland deserts. Unfortunately, invasive non-native species put our natural open spaces at risk.

5/3/2024 Invasive stinknet dominates natural areas and poses threat to native habitats

In the wild open spaces of southern California, one small plant is creating a big stink for land managers. Stinknet (Oncosiphon piluliferum) is an invasive plant posing a serious threat to our region's native habitats. Also known as globe chamomile, most would consider it too sweet a name for this highly invasive plant native to South Africa. It was first noted in Riverside County in 1981 and has since spread throughout the western county and beyond to the whole region of Southern California.

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