Placerita Canyon Nature Center

Check out our Nature Tots program for children 3 to 6 years old. Attached is the schedule through June.

Sorry to announce that the Placerita Canyon Nature Center building closure has been extended through January 31, 2022. The parking lots and trails remain open as usual.

We are sorry to announce that our monthly "Blooms of the Season" wildflower walk, scheduled for January 22, has been cancelled because of the continuing COVID issues. Hopefully we will be able to offer this popular program again in February on the fourth Saturday (Feb. 26)

Because of the COVID closure of the nature center we have had to cancel our on-site docent training program this year. However, we may consider a hybrid training program consisting of streaming videos, Zoom meetings, and some on-site (outdoor only) field work. Please email [email protected] if you are interested.

Placerita Canyon Nature Center Building Closed until January 23 We were informed yesterday by County Parks management that, due to COVID precautions, the Placerita Canyon Nature Center building will be closed from January 10 until January 23. This is a total closure and includes the following: No Programming... No Classes No Volunteers No Rentals / meetings No Restrooms Absolutely no public Staff will work as normal to handle administrative duties, animal care, phone calls and maintenance needs. If you have further questions contact Russ Kimura at 661-259-7721.

Water in the creek, sun in the sky--a nice time to visit Placerita Canyon!

A nice video regarding the recent fire history of Placerita Canyon Natural Area.

Placerita Canyon parking lots now open until 8PM

Placerita Canyon is happy to announce its reintroduction of three of its most popular programs and we want you come out and hike with us! Effective May 1st, 2021 (Saturday) we will be re-starting our Saturday morning Family Nature Walks, our 1st and 2nd Saturday Bird Walks and our 4th Saturday of every month Blooms of the Season Flowering Plant Hikes. Check these out!! Family Nature Walks Every Saturday from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. An easy one hour walk for the entire fami...ly exploring our Natural Area’s animals, plants and cultural history. These hikes are led by Placerita Docents, are free and begin at the front steps to our Nature Center. Pre-registration is not required but hikes will be limited to 15 individuals and all must follow current COVID Restrictions and Guidelines. Monthly Bird Walks Offered on the first and second Saturdays of each month (weather permitting) from 8:00 am to 9:30 am. This program is designed for all levels of birders. Bring your binoculars (or borrow ours), water, comfortable shoes and a field guide if available. This program is free, led by Placerita Docents and starts from the front steps to the Nature Center. Limited to 15 individuals, we will traverse through several of our most popular trails. All ages are welcome and registration is not required, but all must adhere to current COVID Restrictions and Guidelines. Blooms of the Season Blooms is held on the fourth Saturday of every month and begins at 9:30 am at the front steps to the Nature Center. Learn about native plants and what’s blooming year-round along our trails. Though not really a super bloom year, the canyon is beautiful and there is a varied sprinkling of flowers for all to enjoy. Bring your camera and your questions. Registration is not required but all must follow current COVID Restrictions and Guidelines and our hikes will be limited to 15 individuals. Our first hike will be Saturday, May 22nd. Come on out and enjoy these terrific opportunities!

This week is California Mosquito Awareness Week. Did you know that mosquitoes are the most dangerous creature in the world and kill nearly 725,000 people a year because they can transmit deadly viruses like Malaria, West Nile virus, and dengue with just a bite. All Los Angeles County residents play an important role in protecting the public health of their community and should take simple steps to reduce the risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases in their neighborhood by preventing mosquito breeding in your home. Click this link to find out how you help: https://www.glacvcd.org/mosquito-awareness-week/

Nice article in the Signal featuring Placerita Canyon Nature Center's Frank Hoffman. https://signalscv.com//city-installs-owl-nest-boxes-in-p/

I am saddened to share that 90 percent of Devil's Punchbowl Natural Area has burned from the #BobcatFire. The nature center and significant plant life and fauna... across its 1350 acres have been lost. My office is working with the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks & Recreation to see how we can rebuild and restore this beloved land. See more

Sorry to report that the Devil's Punchbowl Nature Center was destroyed by the recent fires.

Unfortunately we will not be able to host our annual Holiday Craft Fair this December due to the continuing Covid-19 issues at the nature center. This is an early notice for those who plan ahead.

We are pleased to announce that Placerita Canyon Natural Area is now open from sunrise to sundown, seven days a week. The Nature Center building is still closed indefinitely. Also, the entire park will be closed on Labor Day, Monday September 7. For the latest information on closures and hours, call the park office at 661-259-7721.

It's great to have Placerita Canyon Natural Area mostly open again and all of us would like to see this continue during the Covid-19 pandemic. There are signs at the park explaining the rules. Here are some additional resources that help explain the guidelines: Trail use video: https://vimeo.com/416698775 Trails do's and dont's: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov//pro/Reopening-Trails.pdf...

Our popular Nature Tots program continues online in August via Zoom. Please note that there are no age limits for participation anymore, but the program is more appropriate for younger children. See attached flyer for the details and how to register your child.

Nature Tots is back, online, using Zoom! See attached flyer for the schedule and registration information.

Placerita Canyon Natural Area is currently open from sunrise to 4PM due to Corona Virus issues. These hours are subject to change, so call the park office at 661-259-7721 for the most up to date information.

Although the Placerita Canyon trails will open tomorrow, May 9, there will be the following rules in effect: Trail users are encouraged to check the Trails LA County website prior to visiting trails for updated lists of open trails, safety guidelines, notifications, and up-to-date information. The trail’s website offers information for over 600 miles of trails, including trails managed by partner agencies that residents can visit and experience the wonderful outdoors. Downloa...d the Trails LA County mobile app before heading out for real-time updates and offline location tracking and trail information to explore the extensive trail network within our diverse landscapes across the County. Do not visit public trails and trailheads if feeling sick and/or exhibiting any symptoms of illness. Follow all posted regulations at trails and trailhead facilities. Physical distancing of 6 feet always required. No group gathering allowed on trails or in the parking lot. Limit visits to members of your household only. Everyone needs a face covering at the trailhead/parking lots and on any trails where there are other groups of people nearby.Infants and children under the age of 2 should not wear cloth face coverings. Those between the ages of 2 and 8 should use them but under adult supervision to ensure that the child can breathe safely and avoid choking or suffocation. Children with breathing problems should not wear a face covering. Consider avoiding popular locations that are prone to crowds. Alert trail users of your presence and step aside to let others pass. Bring water, hand sanitizer, and/or disinfecting wipes to wash or sanitize hands frequently. Practice the leave-no-trace principles on the trails to protect park staff and wildlife, (take your trash). See more

Placerita Canyon Nature Center trails will re-open on Saturday, May 9th. The nature center building, picnic areas, amphitheater, and Canyon Trail will remain closed. The Walker Ranch parking lot will re-open as well, but there may be some trail restrictions/closures in the area. Call the park office at 661-259-7721 for more information.... Click the link below to see the County Press Release which has suggestions and rules for trail usage: https://parks.lacounty.gov/covid-19/

The Nature Tots Program for Saturday March 14 and the Wild Food Cooking Presentation scheduled for March 15th have been cancelled because of the Corona Virus issue, along with all other Placerita Canyon Nature Center programs. Call the Park Office at 661-259-7721 for more information.

Something different for our Community Nature Education Series, sounds like fun!

Ceanothus at sunset on the Ecology Trail.

Don't forget our monthly Photo Walk tomorrow morning, February 15, at 8:30AM at the Nature Center.