ParkTalk_Jan2024

Harford Springs Reserve National Resources Management Blog Joshua Rivera, Park Ranger Supervisor

Harford Springs Reserve, a picturesque 325-acre reserve located southeast of Lake Mathews in the Gavilan Hills, offers a haven for hiking and reconnecting with nature near Riverside and Perris, California. The reserve's namesake, Henry Morey Harford, an early settler of the Perris area, was drawn to southern California's health bene ts, leaving behind his law practice in Omaha to embrace a career as a newspaper editor and real estate agent. His tireless efforts brought new residents to Perris and the Perris Valley. After marrying Margaret Leu in 1915, they settled in Perris, where their daughter Peggy was born in 1920. Following Henry's death in 1955 and Margaret's passing in 1929, Peggy became the sole owner of the Harford land holdings. After a decade of negotia tions, the land was eventually sold to the county in 1970, and it became the Harford Springs Reserve, honoring Henry Harford's legacy. Harford Springs Reserve, known for its beautiful native wild owers and stunning juniper trees, faced a signi cant setback in July 2023 when the Gavilan Fire ravaged the area. The re not only destroyed much of the reserve, but also damaged essential infrastructure. Now, there is a serious concern about invasive plant species spreading due to the increased human activity from visitors such as hikers, equestrians, and vehicles. This threat is particularly heightened because the loss of native plant cover leaves habitats vulnerable. One example of a notable invasive species threat is stinknet, which poses a signi cant risk to our community. To safeguard the recovery of the habitat, RivCoParks is actively working to mitigate the impacts of stinknet and other invasive species. Efforts are aimed at preserving the diverse range of native plants and animals that make Harford Springs Reserve so special. Given the importance of protecting these natural resources and ensuring the full recovery of the ecosystem, Harford Springs Reserve will remain closed to the public until at least Summer 2024. This timeframe is essential to allow native plants to recover and for restoration efforts to take place.

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You can learn more about the invasive species threat posed by stinknet in our community by referring to these resources: Cal-IPC Stinknet & Cal-IPC Stinknet Pro le

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