Colton Nature Group's Hike Explores Nature, History

Young and young at heart Colton residents met at the Santa Ana river trail kiosk on La Cadena Drive last Saturday for the Colton Wildlife Conservancy's (CWC) first "Explore and Discover Nature Hike." CWC started in September 2010 as a group of residents concerned about the future of the Loma Hills. The group incorporated as a Nonprofit Public Benefit corporation in April 6, 2011, and now not only aims to protect and conserve nature in Colton, but to educate the community about the history of these natural lands as well. The hike was arranged by Lauren Bergh, an education Ranger with CWC who also led the hike, Eric Humildad, a Conservation Ranger, Jennifer Humildad, administrator of CWC, and Michael Zurn, the CWC Board President. Among the participants of the hike was Colton Council member Deidre Bennett. "We are very excited to be bringing the community an opportunity to connect to their natural environment here in Colton. We hope residents will be able to visit the conservancy and nature center to discover a new appreciation for the world around them and the human-environment relationship." shared Bergh. "Nature hikes are an important part of connecting residents to their local environment. An individual can live in an area for many years and not be aware of the natural elements around them," shared Jennifer Humildad, of CWC. "Over the decades the La Loma Hills has become a forgotten open space that has become under constant threat of losing flora and fauna habitats of insular landscapes along the Santa Ana River basin. The Agua Mansa Corridor has local culture and history values that need to be recaptured and brought to light once again for the enjoyment of the people." Humildad added. CWC informed the participants that the city of Colton has important wild lands with over 160 species of wildflowers and wildlife that need to be protected.