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The Santa Ana Mountains rest less than 20 miles from the Pacific Ocean and are surrounded by the growing urban communities of Orange, Riverside and San Diego Counties, yet they retain a wild quality that provides habitat for hundreds of species, some of which are found nowhere else on earth. In fact, the range is considered the last intact coastal ecosystem in Southern California. The Santa Ana Mountains are part of the California Floristic Province, which is a biological hot spot second only to the rain forests of South America in diversity and richness. And still, the area has little protection.
Dams, roads, residential development, energy infrastructure, pollution, catastrophic fires and floods and misuse threaten the range. Perhaps though, the most dangerous threat to the range is the disconnection and apathy of the millions who dwell at its feet.
To combat these threats...
A group of naturalists have banded together to form the Santa Ana Mountains Wild Heritage Project. To guide the Project, a series of goals and objectives were established along with a timeline and budget.
The project began with an initial “Investigative Expedition” of the range. But like most scientific endeavors, this one left the Project with more questions than answers. What did become very clear from the expedition is that the Santa Ana Mountains Ecosystem is a world-class mountain range with National Park quality vistas, wildlife refuge quality habitat and roadless areas that would make even the most seasoned explorer drool with envy.
Goals & Objectives
Following are the goals and objectives that will guide the next three years of the Santa Ana Mountains Wild Heritage Project:
Goal: Establish a non-profit organization in the name of the Santa Ana Mountains Wild Heritage Project to achieve the following 5 goals.
Goal: Establish active community stewardship of the range by connecting the culturally, ethnically, and economically diverse human community to the range through a dynamic series of programs, projects and events.
Goal: Establish the political designations necessary to preserve the biological, cultural and watershed function of the range.
Goal: Develop standardized independent databases including:
- Biodiversity
- Cultural Sites and Issues
- Ownership and Land-use
- Recreational Opportunities
- Educational Providers offering formal standards-based programs
Goal: Identify and engage in opportunities to restore the vibrancy and function of the range.
Goal: Establish partnerships with government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders when those partnerships further the mission of the Santa Ana Mountain Wild Heritage Project.
Patrick Mitchell, Executive Director - Professional naturalist, author of the Santa Ana River Guide, and resident of El Cariso Village. Owner and operator of SoCal Wild.
Joel Robinson, Field Operations Director - Professional naturalist, founder of Naturalist For You and the Santiago Creek Watershed Preservation & Restoration Project, and resident of East Orange.
Kirk Pickler, Naturalist - Employee of Tucker of Wildlife Sanctuary, field biologist, and resident of Fullerton.
Chelsea Tran, College Intern - Student at Prescott College, apprentice to Fan Yang of the Gazillion Bubble Show, and resident of Santa Ana.