Rivers & Lands Conservancy

10/15/2026

Local businesses shape the places we live, and some of them are quietly helping protect the open spaces we all love.

Our Supporter-level Corporate Sponsors ($500) help keep programs like Acorns to Oaks, the Delhi Sand Dunes Conservation Program, and California Native Gardens free and welcoming for the whole community. In return, they get something money can’t buy, the pride of knowing their business is part of this place’s story. They’re also recognized in our Annual Report and on our Corporate Sponsor webpage for 12 months. Link in the comments learn more.

Know a business that cares about this community? Tag them below👇

10/13/2026

📅Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 7! 🌿 Join Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority, Rivers & Lands Conservancy, and Rivcoparks to help restore critical habitat for the endangered Delhi Sands flower-loving fly and other native species. Volunteers will team up in small groups to do hands-on, physical work. Learn more and RSVP at wrc-rca.org/nov2026.

10/13/2026

🌿 A little more open space, a lot more room for plants and wildlife!

Rivers & Lands Conservancy is excited to announce we’ve added a new 9.37-acre conservation easement called the “Sycamore East Conservation Area” to our portfolio of protected lands!

Located in Sycamore Flat near the San Bernardino National Forest, this conservation easement permanently protects a mosaic of wetland, riparian, and scrub habitats within a larger 43.7-acre parcel that will remain undeveloped. From Mexican rush marshes to California sagebrush scrub, this landscape offers a variety of habitats that support the diverse wildlife that calls Southern California home.

And there’s plenty worth protecting! The area provides habitat for raptors, riparian birds, and scrub-dwelling wildlife, with the potential to support sensitive species like the state and federally endangered least Bell’s vireo and southwestern willow flycatcher, along with the southwestern pond turtle.

Every acre matters when it comes to keeping natural spaces intact. By protecting the “Sycamore East Conservation Area”, we’re helping preserve valuable habitat, maintain open space, and give native wildlife room to thrive. Here’s to keeping more of Southern California wild! 🌱

10/10/2026

Field Notes Friday! 😎

Last month, Rivers & Lands Conservancy Land staff Amy and Elmer spent a warm morning at our 8-acre "Hillpointe" conservation easement located in Chino Hills tackling a large stand of invasive plants, including mustards, tocalote, and grasses. By clearing these non-native w**ds, Amy and Elmer worked hard to protect and improve the property's riparian corridor and make room for native vegetation to thrive. 💪

The Hillpointe property inlcudes a diverse mix of habitats, including riparian woodland, wetlands, and coastal sage scrub. These habitats support the endangered least Bell's Vireo, the threatened California gnatcatcher, and other local wildlife. This particular field day marked the first in a series of planned stewardship efforts this season focused on invasive w**d control and supporting native revegetation across our riparian habitats.

It was a productive start, and we're looking forward to returning to the field to continue restoring and caring for these important natural spaces! 🌿

10/09/2026

🌿 Ready to bring a little more of California’s natural beauty to your own backyard? 🌼🌱

Our friends at California Native Plant Society, Riverside - San Bernardino Chapter are hosting their Native Plant Sale, making it a great opportunity to discover beautiful California native plants, learn how to care for them and find the perfect additions to your garden! Whether you're just getting started or looking to expand your native plant collection, there's something for everyone. 🦋

"Buy beautiful native plants for the Inland Empire at the CNPS Native Plant Sale on Saturday, November 7th, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The sale will once again be held at the Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District, 4500 Glenwood Dr., Riverside, CA 92501.

You will find:
* Popular and easy-care native plants
* Native seeds and bulbs
* Native plant books, wildflower posters
* Lecture/workshop at 11 AM & noon
* Experts to help you with your native plant and habitat garden questions
* Free parking
For more info and plant sale flyers, please visit our website at: chapters.cnps.org/riversidesanbernardino/plant-sale. Opportunities to volunteer, too!"

10/08/2026

🦉🌵 Did you catch our latest feature in the SoCal News Group newspapers about one of Southern California’s most unique owl species? If not, be sure to check out “Monitoring the burrowing owl in its habitat near El Centro,” written by our very own Field Technician, Elmer Gutierrez!

This article takes readers into the field with Elmer and his coworker, Amy Tims, as they travel to the Imperial Valley to monitor three Rivers & Lands Conservancy conservation sites that are home to western burrowing owls. Unlike most owls, these small-statured species with long, skinny legs and bright yellow eyes spend much of their time on the ground and rely on underground burrows for shelter.

Tap the link below to read Elmer’s full account and learn more about these adorable birds, famous for their furrowed expressions, and why protecting remaining habitat is an important part of conserving the species. 🦉💚

Seeing eight burrowing owls that day transformed a routine visit into something so much more, writes Elmer Gutierrez of Rivers & Lands Conservancy.

10/07/2026

Last week, Rivers & Lands Conservancy staff welcomed 8th-grade STEAM students from Palm Middle School to our Cienega Canyon Preserve for a morning of Acorns to Oaks programming and volunteerism! 🌱

Students visited the baby oaks and helped complete the final step of our annual oak restoration process: watering and maintaining the planting sites. 💦 Thanks to their hard work with watering and w**ding, these young oak seedlings now have a stronger chance at survival!

Along with restoration, students participated in a variety of nature-based, hands-on activities. They brought their textbook lessons to life by handling some adorable snakes, practicing mindfulness under our beloved Easton Oak tree, and even making their own aquifers with help from our friends at Inland Empire Resource Conservation District !🌳

Acorns to Oaks is offered at no cost to students, and we’re grateful to Inland Empire Resource Conservation District for supporting this effort to connect local youth with meaningful conservation and environmental education opportunities.

10/06/2026

Looking for a fun, fall season activity?! 🍂🦉

Join Rivers & Lands Conservancy staff on Saturday, October 31st and join us as we go “trick-or-tree’ting” for acorns during our annual acorn harvest volunteer event at Cienega Canyon Preserve! 🎃 Over the past decade, many of the Preserve’s oaks have suffered from drought, pests, and disease, leading to a significant loss of food and shelter for the wildlife that depend on them. To restore these vital trees, we gather acorns each fall with the help of volunteers and plant the next generation of oaks the following winter.

At this family-friendly event, volunteers will assist with hand-picking acorns from healthy oak trees throughout the Preserve. Participation requires walking approximately 2-3 miles over uneven, dirt terrain. Complimentary sweet treats will be provided to all volunteers as a THANK YOU! 🍬

Interested volunteers must register ahead of time. For more event details and to register, click the link in our comments. Questions? Reach out to Angie at [email protected]. Space is limited, so save your spot today!

Many thanks to our project funders at Inland Empire Resource Conservation District for supporting our efforts to restore oak woodland habitat at Cienega Canyon Preserve. 🌳

10/02/2026

Field Notes Friday! 😎

Rivers & Lands Conservancy Land Stewards Elmer and Amy recently returned to our 14.4-acre "Canyon View" conservation easement in Palm Springs for some important stewardship work. With summer temperatures climbing, the team made sure to beat the heat and get an early start as they worked to remove trash from the property.

Also known as the "Christopher Gregory Casey's June Beetle Conservation Area", the property sits within Palm Canyon Wash near its confluence with Tahquitz Creek and provides important habitat for the endangered Casey's June beetle. The landscape is also home to desert willow woodland, with desert willow and smoke tree dotting the wash, along with other unique native plants like Thurber's sandpaper plant.

Although the vegetation is relatively sparse due to periodic stormflow and flood control disturbance, the property supports a unique desert ecosystem. By removing trash and regularly monitoring the site, our stewardship team helps keep this habitat healthy for the Casey's June beetle and the many other native plants and wildlife that depend on it. 🌿🪲

10/01/2026

🚨 TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO BUY YOUR GALA TICKETS! 🎉🌿

Our 13th Annual Fundraising Gala is almost here! Today is the last day to reserve your seat for a fun and meaningful evening spent celebrating the places, wildlife and community that make conservation possible.

Join us on October 15th for:

🦉 A meet-and-greet with live animals

🍷 Drinks and a delicious dinner

🌿 An evening celebrating Southern California’s natural spaces

💚 Time to connect with fellow conservation supporters

Every ticket helps support Rivers & Lands Conservancy’s work to protect Southern California’s natural, wild, and open spaces while creating opportunities for our community to connect with and care for nature.

🎟️ Tickets are only available through TODAY! Get yours through the link in our comments before ticket sales close.

Can’t make it to the gala or don’t live nearby? You can still support conservation by making a donation.

We hope to celebrate with you! 🥂🌿