February 9 - Coyote Hills, Robert E. Ward Preserve

Join OCCNPS on a hike around West Coyote Hills’ Robert E. Ward Preserve. Being one of north Orange County’s last major open spaces, West Coyote Hills is a very important and special place filled with many different ecotypes and supporting many different organisms. On the hike, we will hike some of the newly created trails that will simultaneously transition and merge into coastal sage scrub, cactus scrub, and riparian habitats; there will be a variety of perennial shrubs with the possibility of some early spring wildflowers for all to enjoy. Additionally, there are many unique birds, like the Cactus Wren and California Gnatcatchers, that can be frequently heard and seen for any birders coming along.

At the end of the Coyote Hills excursion, there will be an optional choice to go to Brea Dam Park across the road. Although it is not dense with pristine native plant habitat, Brea Dam Park is an under-explored botanical treasure hunt.

Cost: Free and open to all.

Registration: https://app.waiversign.com/e/605434825bd9a600198d4bcc/doc/605436925bd9a600198d4c79?eventName=OCCNPS%20Field%20Trip%20-%20February%209%2C%202024%20-%20Coyote%20Hills%2C%20Robert%20E.%20Ward%20Preserve

Meet: 8 AM on the corner of Euclid St. and Laguna Rd., Fullerton (33.900596, -117.940393) near the entrance to Laguna Lake Park and across from Sunny Hills Church of Christ.

Facilities: No bathroom or water.

Leader: Mel Letterman

Physical Difficulty: Easy to moderate with some short uphill portions of the trails.

Duration: 3 miles, approximately 1.5-2 hours.

Bring: water, sunscreen, hand lens, binoculars

Host or Publisher Mel Letterman