The Phase 2 acquisition to permanently protect the rest of West Coyote Hills’ 510-acre habitat — serving 2 million residents in park-poor communities spanning Orange and Los Angeles Counties — is entering its homestretch.
In April, the State of California approved the Purchase and Sale Agreement authorizing its Watershed Conservation Authority to execute the purchase agreement with landowner Chevron-Pacific Coast Homes. We have more than 75% of the required funding to complete this acquisition. Just a $20 million funding gap remains to meet the $95 million purchase price.
We’re so close — and we need your help to cross the finish line.
Give at coyotehills.org/donate or email GiveLikeAHero@coyotehills.org.
What This Means
Once complete, this acquisition will permanently protect the largest remaining undeveloped portion of West Coyote Hills — bringing the total protected acreage to 582 acres, including the Robert E. Ward Nature Preserve, and securing it as parkland and nature preserve for generations to come.
How We Got Here: A Timeline
2001 — A small group of neighbors gathers to protect one of the last large natural open spaces in park-poor North Orange County–South Los Angeles region. Friends of Coyote Hills is born.
2014 — Phase 0 Advocacy results in a density shift protecting ~121 acres.
December 2021 — Phase 1 acquisition With significant funding from the State of California and private funders, the City of Fullerton acquires ~24 acres adjacent to what becomes the Robert E. Ward Nature Preserve, bringing that preserve to ~72 acres.
2023 — More than 2 miles of recreational trails open at Robert E. Ward Nature Preserve, allowing the public to experience this land for the first time in nearly 50 years — a preview of what’s to come.
April 2026 — The State of California approves the Purchase and Sales Agreement for Phase 2, authorizing the Watershed Conservation Authority to purchase the remaining site from Chevron–Pacific Coast Homes for $95 million. $75 million has been committed. That means we have more than 75% of the funding needed with only a $20 million gap!
2026 to 2027 (estimated) — Phase 2 acquisition expected to close, permanently protecting the remaining habitat.
About West Coyote Hills
West Coyote Hills is a natural wonder. It’s a critical habitat, sustaining one of Southern California’s largest populations of the threatened California gnatcatcher, along with 368 additional species, including the endangered least Bell’s vireo, tricolored blackbird, white-tailed kite, intermediate mariposa lily, and coastal cactus wren, a California State Species of Special Concern.
Protecting West Coyote Hills — one of the largest unpaved portions of the Lower San Gabriel River Watershed — benefits downstream coastal and marine resources, while avoiding water quality impacts from increased urban stormwater runoff.
About Friends of Coyote Hills
Friends of Coyote Hills’ mission is to save all 510 acres of West Coyote Hills as a park and nature preserve for now and future generations.
Twenty-five years ago, a small group of neighbors gathered to protect one of the last large natural open spaces in the park-poor North Orange County–South Los Angeles region. Our vision was to permanently protect our natural heritage and provide recreation and respite for more than 2 million residents. We’ve worked steadily — and, we admit, too quietly — toward our mission for the last 25 years.
By 2021, our advocacy resulted in the permanent protection of more than 200 acres of the eastern portion of the land. With significant funding from the State of California and private funders, the City of Fullerton acquired land adjacent to the Robert E. Ward Preserve. This led to the opening of more than 2 miles of recreational trails in 2023, allowing the public to experience the natural beauty of Ward Nature Preserve for the first time in nearly 50 years — a preview of what the community can look forward to once the current acquisition phase is completed.
Help Us Cross the Finish Line
A gift of any size brings us closer to permanently protecting this irreplaceable habitat for wildlife and people alike.
Give at coyotehills.org/donate or email GiveLikeAHero@coyotehills.org.
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