Meet Habitat Authority's Ecologist Michelle Mariscal

Meet Michelle Mariscal, the Habitat Authority’s Ecologist. When you are visiting one of our trailheads, you may see her inspecting one of our many projects like habitat restoration or dead tree removal. We love her intellect and passion about all things ecological! She helps guide the management of the hills in a science-based way. Michelle joined the Habitat Authority in 2019 and has a master’s degree from the University of California Riverside in Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology. She is a published author in the field of ecology and has vast experience studying wildlife corridors and overseeing surveys for endangered, threatened, and rare species.

Her favorite plant and animal: "It’s so hard to choose, but purple sage and gray fox are two of my favs!"

Her recommended trail: "Sycamore Canyon because it has an abundance of wildlife and has something different to offer with every season-- Autumn is a great time to visit and enjoy the leaves changing colors!"

Her go to quote: “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.” – John Muir

Please wave and say hello if you see her on the trail!

Dead Tree Removal

During fiscal year 21-22, the Habitat Authority was awarded a one-time grant from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Fire Prevention Grants Program to fund activities which reduce the wildfire fuel load in the Puente Hills Preserve.

The grant-funded project includes efforts such as vegetation clearing along the urban-wildland interface, dead tree removal (well over 250 trees) and goat grazing (approximately 36 acres). To learn more, please click here.

Below are recent photos of our dead tree removal efforts in October.

Tribute to a Hero of the Hills, Jim Kelly

Jim passed away in October 2023, and he was a beloved teacher at Wilson High School in Hacienda Heights for decades. As a previous resident of Whittier, he cared deeply about the hills of Whittier as well as all of the Puente-Chino Hills Wildlife Corridor. He was the Friends of the Whittier Hills’ Vice President in 2012, and by 2014 he was elected President and remained so for 9 years until his passing. Jim’s leadership contributions included but were not limited to leading the process of incorporating the group into a state recognized 501c3 nonprofit organization, funding local preservation efforts, providing support letters for partnering groups’ grant seeking efforts, as well as leading FOWH with comment letters on pivotal regional planning projects. He regularly produced inspirational and educational membership newsletters to maintain and strengthen regional stewardship of the hills. These and other efforts greatly contributed to FOWH’s goals of long-term hillside and wildland preservation for generations to come.

Did you know that the Puente Hills Preserve includes Turnbull Canyon, Hacienda Hills, Sycamore Canyon, Hellman Park, Arroyo Pescadero, and Powder Canyon?

In September, we asked what your favorite trailhead was in the Preserve, and the most voted was ..... Powder Canyon! It's no surprise, Powder Canyon is awesome!

(Turnbull Canyon was a very close second!)

Mule deer breeding season peaks in November. Have you seen a deer on the trails? If so, where?

Hellman

Join our Open House. Click here to RSVP

The Open House event location fees have been waived as a part of the Community Program Partnership Agreement between the Habitat Authority and the Los Angeles County Parks Department. This event will take place in parkland, Rowland Heights Community Center, a unit of the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation System.

As we enter the season of Thanksgiving, we are thankful for you and your support of us,

the wildlife, and the trails.

Best wishes for a happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

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.