Big Morongo Canyon Preserve

We wanted to take time this week to thank our volunteers who have supported us from a safe distance and continue to support us with their time and donations. We are grateful for the people who support Big Morongo Canyon Preserve. If you are interested in receiving the Big Morongo Bulletin, go to this link and sign up for our e-newsletter. We send out monthly emails that highlight what is happening in the Preserve and how you can become involved. https://mailchi.mp//friends-of-big-morongo-canyon-preserve

We’re less than a week away from the election and we need a record number of public lands voters! Be part of the community-based movement to elect candidates at... all levels of government who share our common American value of protecting public lands. Talk to your neighbors and friends about how their vote will help protect public lands for generations to come. Visit our Election Center for more information and resources: bit.ly/2CDYHnS #MyFutureMyVote

Interested in learning more about Big Morongo Canyon Preserve? Sign up for our newsletter today and stay in the know! We send out a monthly email detailing the happenings of the Preserve. Click this link to sign up: https://mailchi.mp//friends-of-big-morongo-canyon-preserve

Dee Zeller, stellar volunteer and resident naturalist will celebrate a big birthday this week. If you want to honor Dee and support his favorite cause, Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, donate here. You may also email greetings to him at [email protected] Happy Birthday Dee!

Dee Zeller, stellar volunteer and resident naturalist will celebrate a big birthday this week. If you want to honor Dee and support his favorite cause, Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, donate here. You may also email greetings to him at [email protected] Happy Birthday Dee!

Have you ever wondered what the difference between a butterfly and a moth is? Stop by our Education Center on Saturday's from 9am-1pm and learn more about these two and some of the other insects found at BMCP.

The excessive heat warning for this weekend reminds us, every year, many become sick from heat exposure, learn how to recognize the signs to better protect yourself and your loved ones. Avoiding hiking during mid-day, stay covered on our mostly shaded Mesquite and Marsh trails Drink plenty of liquids, hiking in high heat may require that you drink one liter of water or more per hour.

There is still time to RSVP for Junior Naturalist! Parents and young adults join our Zoom next Saturday at 10AM and learn more about this opportunity and how we are keeping everyone's safety in mind, by designing the program to include distance learning, self-guided tours and monthly zoom meetings, space is limited! ... Email [email protected] for more information or to RSVP

We have many different species of snakes that call BMCP their home, some are venomous but all should be left alone when spotted out on the trail.

The Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is now open daily 7:30 a.m. until dusk. The Parking lot and restrooms are open. The Marsh, Mesquite and Desert Willow Trails are now designated One Way to allow for mandated safe distancing. Masks are required in public when you are within 6 feet of others from a different household. ... Bird walks and Education Center hours are cancelled until further notice.

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease virus type 2 (RHDV2) was confirmed in a wild rabbit population in California for the first time in early May 2020. RHDV2 is highly contagious and lethal to both wild and domestic rabbits, hares and pikas. RHDV2 only affects rabbit species it is not known to affect humans, livestock or pets other than rabbits. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) asks that anyone who lives, works or recreates in wild rabbit habitat to report any si...ghtings of sick or dead rabbits (especially cottontail rabbits) to CDFW’s Wildlife Investigations Laboratory by calling 916-358-2790 or file an online mortality report. https://wildlife.ca.gov//wildl/monitoring/mortality-report

The Preserve is still closed. Three of the most popular trails are too narrow to allow for required safe distancing. We are in the process of designating the trails "One Way". We are awaiting receipt of the new signage and hope to have it installed within a week of delivery. Stay tuned...

Anemopsis californica, with the common names yerba mansa or lizard tail. It is a perennial herb and prefers very wet soil or shallow water. Used by the native North American Indians to treat a wide variety of health complaints, the seeds were also used in making bread and seasoning food.