Puente Hills Preserve News, December 2023

Meet Chief Ranger Fernando Gomez

Meet Deputy Executive Officer / Chief Ranger Fernando Gomez of the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA), the government agency that the Habitat Authority contracts with for ranger and park staff services. When you are visiting one of our trails, you may see him picking up litter and greeting park visitors. Fernando has been a ranger for 28 years. He started his career as an interpretational intern leading at-risk youth on hikes throughout the Santa Monica Mountains. His interest in protecting open space and parks led him to attend the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Academy to become a Park Ranger. He has attended various colleges during his career and has become an instructor in many fields.

As the Chief Ranger, he is responsible for all the MRCA rangers that patrol throughout Los Angeles and Ventura Counties and a recently added small portion of Orange County. Rangers are responsible for safety patrols, park maintenance, emergency medical aid, public outreach, law enforcement, natural resource management, interpretation, search and rescue, swift water rescues, and wildland firefighting.

The Chief’s favorite part about being a ranger is working outdoors, meeting park visitors, and providing a positive experience while exploring the parks.

His winter tip for trail users: Always plan your hikes accordingly as the weather can rapidly change.

His go to quote: The mountains are calling and I must go. – John Muir

The Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority participated in the 69th Whittier Christmas parade. Chief Ranger Gomez drove the ranger truck, and Habitat Authority volunteers, staff, and their families walked alongside waving at all the parade goers. We all had a blast! Thank you to the Whittier Uptown Association for a great event.

Habitat Authority's Holiday Gathering

During this year's holiday gathering, the Habitat Authority honored three Puente Hills Preserve partners: Assemblymember Lisa Calderon, Rivers and Mountains Conservancy Executive Officer Mark Stanley, and Vice President of the Whittier Area Audubon Society Steve Huber. We are grateful for our amazing partners and volunteers who help keep the Puente Hills Preserve healthy and in good shape for the local communities, wildlife and generations to come. (Photo: Honorees with Habitat Authority Board of Directors and Executive Director) Click here for our full event social post.

First day of Winter: Winter Solstice Thursday, December 21, 2023

The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. On the day of the winter solstice, the earth is tilted as far away from the sun as possible. Click here to learn more.

We Want to Hear From You!

Additional funding is crucial for maintaining the rangers who patrol

the natural areas in the Puente Hills to ensure people are safe, prevent homeless encampments, stop people from using drugs on the Preserve or setting off fireworks, and deter car break-ins at trailheads. Please let us know your priorities for Preserve management by taking our survey. Click here

Supporting Fire Protection for the Region

The Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority and partners celebrated with a ribbon-cutting for the new heli-hydrant on Habitat Authority property in La Habra Heights. This partnership effort will provide faster firefighting services for the region. Click for social post.

Toyon is a shrub found in the Puente Hills Preserve, and has berries that are bright red this time of year, hence this shrub’s other common name- the Christmas Berry. Click here for our full social post about toyon.

Which trailheads have you seen the festive shrub toyon, also known as Christmas Berry?

Answer to last month’s Newsletter poll - Mule deer breeding season peaks in November. Have you seen a deer on the trails? If so, where? Powder Canyon 36%, Turnbull Canyon 15%, Hellman 15% , Sycamore Canyon 14%, Hacienda Hills 10%, Arroyo Pescadero 10%

The Habitat Authority is a local government agency, and is qualified to accept tax-deductible charitable donations including monetary and real property. Donations such as these contribute to the purpose of the agency and provide tax benefits for the giver.