After half a century of grassroots activism, the dream of permanently protecting all 510 acres of West Coyote Hills as a nature preserve is finally within reach—but the community’s help is needed to cross the finish line. Chevron is in advanced talks with the State of California to execute a Purchase and Sales Agreement for the remaining West Coyote Hills property, marking what could be the final chapter in one of Orange County’s longest-running conservation battles. The fight to save this coastal sage scrub habitat from development began in the 1970s with a citizen group called CHOOSE and has continued through decades of debates, demonstrations, lawsuits, and a ballot measure.

“With all stakeholders finally aligned on acquisition, our biggest challenge now is closing the $20 million funding gap,” said Angela Lindstrom, President of the nonprofit Friends of Coyote Hills. “But as we’ve always said—it can be done.”

The upcoming purchase would complete the acquisition that began four years ago when the City of Fullerton acquired 24 acres on the east side of the 510-acre former oil field. That 2021 purchase was strategic because it created more than 200 acres of contiguous habitat by extending the adjacent 72-acre Robert E. Ward Nature Preserve and nearby open space that Chevron excluded from development subsequent to a ballot measure sponsored by the Friends. The City’s $18.04 million purchase was funded primarily by the State of California, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and nonprofit foundations. Former State Senator Josh Newman, Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, and State Senator Tom Umberg championed the funding.

In 2023, trails through West Coyote Hills and the Robert E. Ward Nature Preserve opened to the public for the first time, allowing residents to walk through protected habitat and experience the area’s natural beauty firsthand. The Watershed Conservation Authority — a joint powers authority of the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy and LA County Flood Control District—will purchase the remaining land for $95 million.

Thanks to continued leadership from Josh Newman, Senator Umberg, Assemblymember Quirk-Silva, and the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, $75 million has already been secured through state funding and the 2024 State Climate Bond. Once complete, this 583-acre preserve will be one of the largest remaining coastal sage scrub habitats in Southern California. It provides critical habitat for threatened species like the California gnatcatcher and serves as vital green space for nearly 2 million residents in surrounding park-poor communities.

To help close the funding gap, a private foundation is matching community donations dollar-for-dollar up to $1 million. That means every $100 donation becomes $200, and every $1,000 gift becomes $2,000 toward protecting West Coyote Hills permanently. “This is our moment,” said Angela Lindstrom. “After more than 50 years of community voices calling to save this little piece of wilderness, we have the opportunity of a lifetime to complete what generations fought for—a protected nature preserve for our children and grandchildren.” The public can donate at coyotehills.org/donate or email donate@coyotehills.org. More information about the Friends of Coyote Hills and the acquisition is available at coyotehills.org.

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