Area: 201 acres
Location: City of Temecula, Riverside County, California
Date Acquired: 2001
Acquisition Type: CNLM has a long-term agreement with landowner or third party
Key Habitats: Coastal scrub, Mixed chaparral, Desert riparian and Annual and perennial grasslands
Species of Special Interest to CNLM: Coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica) , Quino checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha quino) , Bell’s sage sparrow (Amphispiza belli belli) and Rufous-crowned sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps canescens)
Introduction
The Roripaugh Ranch Preserve consists of 201 acres in the City of Temecula, Riverside County, California. The Preserve is part of a larger landscape of Preserved Lands totaling over 2000 acres. The Assessment District 161 Multiple Species Subarea Habitat Conservation Plan (Conservation Plan) is the basis for the establishment of this Preserve. Under the Conservation Plan, several development companies within the Assessment District contributed the funds to purchase the Preserve Lands and to establish an endowment to fund their management by the Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM) in perpetuity. The City of Temecula and CNLM have recently partnered with the California State University – San Marcos to provide for certain educational and research activities that will enhance student experience in the natural sciences and contribute to the science-based management of the Preserve.
Conservation Significance
Objectives of the Conservation Plan are to protect the federally threatened coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica) and the federally endangered Quino checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha quino), as well as several other species of birds, plant, reptiles, and amphibians. In total, protection of 16 species is required under the Conservation Plan. Roripaugh Ranch Preserve contributes to the protection of these species by supporting a diverse assemblage of shrub habitats, including several variants of coastal sage scrub, chamise chaparral, riparian woodlands, annual grasslands, and abandoned agricultural fields. Santa Gertrudis Creek meanders through the Preserve in its natural state before being channelized through the city.
Our Work
CNLM is responsible for management of 201 acres of Roripaugh Ranch, all of which is owned by the City of Temecula. Most of the species for which the Conservation Plan was created are found in sage scrub habitats; therefore, the primary management objectives are aimed at protecting, enhancing, and expanding the sage scrub communities. Portions of the former agricultural fields are being converted back to sage scrub. CNLM uses a comprehensive Integrated Pest Management program, which includes mowing and grazing by sheep, to control and manage the diverse vegetation communities and protect them from nonnative invasive plant competition. A variety of monitoring programs are used to track the condition of the various vegetation communities and to assess the success of our management activities.
Public Access
Due to the vulnerability of the species and habitats that exist on this Preserve, it is not open to the public.
Contact
For information and inquiries regarding Roripaugh Ranch or Center for Natural Lands Management, please contact Regional Preserve Manager, Kim Klementowski at kklementowski@cnlm.org or 760.731.7790 extension 208.