Heritage Museum of Orange County, 3101 West Harvard Street, Santa Ana, CA 92704, 714.540.0404 |
3101 West Harvard Street
Santa Ana, CA 92704
(714) 540-0404
Fax (714) 540-1932
NATURE AREA
Several acres of the Heritage Museum property have been set aside as a nature reserve. Most of the area is relatively undeveloped, although some of our educational programs use portions of it. The area is home to a variety of animal and bird life, including squirrels, mice, opossums, coyotes, lizards, gopher snakes, and red-tailed hawks. In wet years when the small seasonal pond remains full for a period of time, ducks and egrets sometimes stop to visit.
There are two fresh water wetland areas, the last such wetlands in Santa Ana. One is the pond mentioned above, the other a larger marsh (labelled “swamp” on some of our signs) at the far eastern edge of the property. However, the extended southern California drought and continuing development on adjacent land have lowered the water table and made visible water in both of these areas a rarity. The large trees that continue to thrive are proof that significant moisture still remains fairly close to the surface, though.
The centrepiece of the area is a hill that is said to be the highest point in Santa Ana. Much of it is covered with native coastal scrub vegetation, but drought, the invasion of non-native plant species, and lack of attention have left their marks.
The centrepiece of the area is a hill that is said to be the highest point in Santa Ana. Much of it is covered with native coastal scrub vegetation, but drought, the invasion of non-native plant species, and lack of attention have left their marks.
A recent addition to the nature reserve is a gold mine set used as part of our Gold Rush tour for fourth graders. It includes a mine shaft, a mine car on tracks, and a head frame that feeds water to a small stream where children pan for “Heritage Gold.”
Visitors are welcome to explore the nature reserve during the Museum’s public hours.
