SANTA ROSA PLATEAU ECOLOGICAL PRESERVE

View of Mt. San Gorgonio at Dusk from Vernal Ponds

A very special place exists in the southwest corner of Riverside County. It is a unique plateau of over 15,000 acres on which ancient oaks and sycamores preside, on which meandering all-year crystal clear creeks flow, and on which a multitude of colorful wildflowers and native grasses thrive. Animal species, both common and rare, call this plateau home. On any given day, you may spot several species of birds, such as the red-tailed hawk or the Aleutian Canada goose. Or mammals, such as the bobcat or fox. Or reptiles such as the Southwestern pond turtle or the coastal rosy boa. Of the 85 wildlife and plant species in southwestern Riverside County that are considered endangered, threatened, or rare, 49 of them can be found on the Santa Rosa Plateau.

Over 7,300 acres of this magnificent Santa Rosa Plateau have been made available as a wilderness ecological preserve through a cooperative management project of the Nature Conservancy, the Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District, the California Department of Fish and game, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

The Nature Conservancy, which uses privately donated funds to acquire preserves all throughout the world on which exist unique or endangered animal or plant species, purchased the original 3,100 acres in 1984. In 1991, 3,825 additional acres were purchased by the County of Riverside, the California Wildlife Conservation Board, the Metropolitan Water District, and the California Nature Conservancy. In 1995, the 435-acre Hidden Meadows Ranch was added to the preserve. This parcel is located directly between the two major sections acquired earlier.

The acquistion has been completed on 750 acres of an approximately 1,000 parcel (Sylvan Meadows) across Clinton Keith/Tenaja Road from the main ecological preserve entrance. This property, being less environmentally sensitive than the main ecological preserve, will be made available for picnicking, unguided horseback riding, and other non-intrusive light recreational use.

Some of the Nature Conservancy preserves are in inaccessible or remote locations. The Santa Rosa Plateau, however, is less than fifteen minutes west of Interstate 15 via Clinton Keith Road, and a little over a hour's drive from Los Angeles/Orange County, or from San Diego. You can call for 24-hour recorded information at: 909-677-6951. During regular business hours, the number for the Temecula office of The Nature Conservancy is: 909-699-1856. The ecological preserve is open to visitors from sunrise to sunset most of the year. At present, unguided access is limited to foot only. There is very limited horseback and bicycle access, but only with an authorized docent present. Except for specially scheduled events, no motorized or wheeled vehicles are allowed whatsoever. There are plans for a visitor center, not yet under construction, but expected to be completed within the next couple years.

Rolling Native Grasslands This page is continually under construction. Better trail maps and more color photos are being added or changed periodically. We hope you return to visit this web site often, and we hope you have an opportunity to visit this very special wilderness oasis Mother Nature has created right in the middle of Southern California. WEB SITES FOR OTHER CALIFORNIA       NATURE CONSERVANCY PRESERVES Tom Chester's Page on the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve The Carrizo Plain Natural Area The Coachella Valley Preserve Dos Palmas Oasis Preserve

For information on visiting California Preserves, or becoming a Conservancy member, write or phone:

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This page provided by courtesy of:         Jim Grattan     909-696-2500.

Disclaimer: This page has no official relationship to The Nature Conservancy. Its keeper, Jim Grattan, provides this page solely as a convenience to Web users interested in knowing more about TNC-owned and/or managed preserves.

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Last update on: 05/11/05 at 11:56 AM PST.

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