Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority

06/14/2026

Last week, we shared that the Harbor Boulevard Wildlife Underpass just turned 20, and is still hard at work protecting wildlife. 🦌

These are some of the wildlife visitors that have been captured using the underpass over the years.

From mule deer and coyotes to bobcats and gray foxes, the underpass helps animals safely cross beneath a busy roadway while staying connected to the habitat they need to survive.

Proof that sometimes the most important conservation success stories happen quietly, one crossing at a time.💚

Learn more about the underpass on our website: https://loom.ly/Q1wJ0tc

The Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority, [AKA the Habitat Authority], manages the Puente Hills Preserve.🌳
County of Los Angeles Chino Hills State Park Supervisor Janice Hahn

06/11/2026

Attention all birders and bird lovers! 🕊️🌿

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Join us this Saturday in Sycamore Canyon for a beginner bird walk hosted by the Whittier Area Audubon Society. We will stop frequently to listen and observe the birds around us - bring binoculars if you have them!

📍 Entrance gate to Sycamore Canyon trail (5030 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, CA, 90601)
⏰ Saturday, June 13th: 7 - 10am

Learn more about the upcoming walk here: https://loom.ly/7Dkishs
Whittier Area Audubon Society

The Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority, [AKA the Habitat Authority], manages the Puente Hills Preserve.🌳

06/08/2026

Conservation Easement Boundary Signs in Powder Canyon - what do they mean?

Habitat Authority has restored many acres of habitat in Powder Canyon, back to native habitat - specifically, coastal sage scrub habitat on Purple Sage Trail. As part of this process, we put a conservation easement over the restored habitat, which is a legal obligation for us to protect the habitat from any future disturbance.

This means: this area will never be developed, and it will never be graded. These signs serve as visual indicators for us, so we know where the boundaries are, to avoid impacting this habitat in the future.🌼🍃

We are protecting and preserving the beautiful biodiversity of this region, for wildlife and for future generations to enjoy when they come to the Puente Hills Preserve. 🫶

Explore our website to learn more about our restoration and management of open space in the Puente Hills: https://loom.ly/lMxruxo

The Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority, [AKA the Habitat Authority], manages the Puente Hills Preserve.🌳

06/07/2026

20 years ago, a bold vision became reality.

On June 1, 2006, the Harbor Boulevard Wildlife Underpass officially opened, creating a safe passage for wildlife beneath one of the region's busiest roadways. Today, it remains one of Southern California's most successful examples of how conservation, transportation, and regional partnerships can work together for the benefit of both people and wildlife.

The underpass helps reconnect nearly 19,000 acres of habitat, protects animals from vehicle collisions, and supports biodiversity in an increasingly urbanized landscape. We estimate that wildlife uses the underpass approximately 1,800 times each year, including mule deer, coyotes, bobcats, gray foxes, and many other species.

This week, we welcomed local media to the site to commemorate this important milestone and share how the underpass continues to make a difference 20 years later.

Thank you to the many agencies, partners, researchers, staff, and community members whose vision and persistence helped bring this project to life. 💚

Here's to the next 20 years of connecting habitats, protecting wildlife, and preserving the natural heritage of this region. 🌿🦌

The Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority, [AKA the Habitat Authority], manages the Puente Hills Preserve.🌳
Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts Supervisor Janice Hahn Los Angeles County Public Works Inland Empire State Parks

06/06/2026

Happy ! 🌿🥾

There is no better day to get outside and explore the beautiful trails of the Puente Hills Preserve.

Help us protect the open spaces we all love by recreating responsibly:
🌱 Stay on designated trails
🦋 Respect wildlife and native habitat
🚮 Pack out everything you bring in
🐾 Keep pets under control and follow trail guidelines

Every small action helps protect the Preserve for future generations. 💚

If you're out exploring today, we would love to see it! 📷Share your photos and videos, tag us, and show us how you're celebrating - We may feature some of our favorite community moments in our stories.

Happy trails and happy exploring!

The Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority, [AKA the Habitat Authority], manages the Puente Hills Preserve.🌳

06/02/2026

*️⃣SAVE THIS FOR YOUR NEXT HIKE!*️⃣Ticks are tiny hitchhikers, active year-round, with peak activity during the warmer months. These fascinating arachnids go through 4 life stages, needing a blood meal at each stage to survive. Ticks don't jump or fly - instead, they wait on the tips of grass and other vegetation with their front legs outstretched, ready to hitch a ride.

While they're a natural part of our open spaces, these 7 simple steps can help you stay protected while enjoying the trails:
👉Stay on trail
👉Choose wider trails / walk in the center of paths
👉Choose light-colored clothing so ticks are easier to spot
👉Wear long sleeves and long pants
👉Tuck pant legs into your socks
👉Use a tick repellent (DEET products can be effective)
👉Consider treating outdoor clothing with permethrin for added protection

When you get home:
➡️Shower within two hours of being outdoors to wash away roaming hitchhikers
➡️Check your clothes and your body for ticks, paying special attention to ankles, legs, armpits, groin, scalp, and hairline
➡️Don’t forget to check your pets!

⚠️If you find an attached tick, head to the CDC website to get information for removal tips: https://loom.ly/htU-_fg
Remember: Tick exposure can happen any time of year, and the best defense is finding and removing ticks as soon as possible.

The Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority, [AKA the Habitat Authority], manages the Puente Hills Preserve.🌳

05/31/2026

🦅IT’S FLEDGLING SEASON
The three young Red-tailed Hawks in the photo are on the brink of fledging—leaving their nest to test their wings and learn the ways of the world, including how to hunt for themselves! At this age, many young raptors spend several days or even a couple of weeks on the ground or in low branches while building strength and coordination. Their parents are usually nearby, still feeding and protecting them during “flight school”.

If you come across a young raptor on the ground or not flying away when approached, here are some helpful pointers:
• Observe from a distance and assess the situation
• Don’t try to feed or handle the bird
• Only intervene if it’s in immediate danger (traffic, predator, etc.)
• If the bird appears injured, orphaned, or you’re unsure what to do, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for guidance

Helpful resources:
• California Department of Fish and Wildlife licensed rehabber list
• California Raptor Center’s “Found a Baby Raptor?” guide

Save this post so you’ll know what to do if you encounter a fledgling this season — and help give these young birds the best chance to soar!
Whittier Area Audubon Society 🦅

05/29/2026

Looking for a calm, relaxing and (mostly) shaded walk with the family this weekend? Sycamore Canyon Trail is perfect for a peaceful outing - where kids can listen to flowing water and spot signs of nature all around. 🍃🌻

Its gentle atmosphere helps protect the habitat and wildlife that make it so special.

Learn more about Sycamore Canyon on our website: https://loom.ly/jbwiRYw

The Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority, [AKA the Habitat Authority], manages the Puente Hills Preserve.🌳

05/27/2026

🔥The Habitat Authority is committed to diligent wildfire preparedness🔥One element of this is through our annual vegetation clearance from adjacent homes and along emergency access routes that meet fire safety standards of local fire departments. Nearly complete now, clearance efforts started in April and will continue through June, until they restart again in the late fall/winter.

Our contracted rangers with the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, who are trained wildland fire fighters, continue to patrol the hills with water tanks on their trucks for quick responses. L.A. Mountains

Learn more about annual fuel clearance here: https://loom.ly/czKm1ZY

The Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority, [AKA the Habitat Authority], manages the Puente Hills Preserve.🌳

05/22/2026