A Natural History of Chino Hills State Park eBook

Description

Discover the wild side of Southern California

Surrounded by cities and highways, Chino Hills State Park protects an extraordinary island of open space where rolling grasslands, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, oak woodlands, and canyon habitats support a remarkable diversity of life.

In A Natural History of Chino Hills State Park, biologist, educator, and conservation photographer Sherry Schmidt brings decades of experience—and a lifelong connection to these hills—to an engaging exploration of the park’s natural and human history. The book focuses especially on the plants and animals visitors are most likely to encounter, providing approachable identification information while explaining the larger ecological relationships that shape the landscape.

Richly illustrated with photography, the book explores the park’s history, wildlife corridors, fire ecology, plants, animals, conservation, and hiking opportunities. Readers will learn why connections such as the Coal Canyon wildlife corridor are essential for mountain lions, mule deer, bobcats, coyotes, and other wildlife—and why protecting Chino Hills means protecting its connections to the larger Southern California landscape.

Whether you’re a hiker, naturalist, birder, photographer, student, educator, or simply curious about the nature close to home, this book offers a deeper way to experience Chino Hills State Park.

Inside the Book

Explore the history of Chino Hills, the importance of wildlife corridors, the role of fire in shaping the landscape, and the movement of energy through ecosystems. Extensive sections introduce the park’s plants and plant communities and its diverse animal life, while a dedicated hiking section helps readers experience this natural history firsthand. The book concludes with opportunities to support conservation of open space and wild places.