The endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep - an iconic species of the Coachella Valley - relies on uninterrupted access to the lower mountain slopes and natural wash areas for food, water, and safe migration routes.
Development at the base of the mountain threatens to fragment these essential corridors, forcing the animals closer to roadways and residential areas where vehicle collisions and human disturbance are common causes of death.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife classifies the Peninsular bighorn sheep as fully protected, meaning their habitat is not to be disturbed or destroyed without rigorous environmental review.
Protecting this land safeguards one of the last remaining natural linkages between the San Jacinto Mountains and the desert floor - a corridor that has sustained wildlife for centuries.
