WILDLIFE CORRIDORS IN AND NEAR SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAINS

This map is part of a larger map called A Plan of Open Space and Trails for the County of San Bernardino, representing the open space element in the SB County General Plan. The light green areas are wildlife corridors, the light brown ones are "policy zones," while darker brown areas are "buffer zones." The map was printed by SB County in 1991, and some of the "policy zones" have since become increasingly urbanized. The text below is excerpted from the map legend. The map shows only major open space areas; other areas, especially areas of biologic significance, are not shown on the map. Changes that have occurred after 1991, including those caused by the Old Fire, are not represented.

What's a wildlife corridor and why is it important?

Wildlife Corridors, Policy Zones and Buffer Zones shown on this map segment

14.	Lake Silverwood Encompasses the environs of Lake Silverwood, which is used as a seasonal perching area by the endangered bald eagle. This area should be preserved to maintain perching sites for the bald eagle, and habitat values for other species found here.
15.	Mojave River This wildlife corridor follows the alignment of the Mojave River from Lake Silverwood northward toward the Hesperia area. The Mojave River is the major river in the desert region and is an area of extreme biologic importance, containing rare desert riparian habitat (including habitat capable of supporting the endangered least Bell's vireo). The Mojave River in this area supports fish, and is therefore worthy of protection; the entire length of the Mojave River should be maintained as open space to provide needed riparian habitat for desert species. Dispersion corridors should be provided along the river through urban areas.
16.	Grass Valley Creek This wildlife corridor follows the alignment of Grass Valley Creek from the national forest to its junction with the Mojave River. This area contains riparian habitat and potential habitat for the least Bell's vireo, as well as the native arroyo chub fish, listed as a "sensitive species" by the U.S. Forest Services. The creek serves as a dispersion corridor to and from the national forest. This area should be maintained as open space to preserve habitat values and wildlife dispersion.
17.	Deep Creek Tributary and Mojave River This area contains riparian habitat and habitat for the least Bell's vireo, as well as the native arroyo chub fish, listed as a sensitive species by the U.S. Forest Service (all fish-supporting streams in the county are rare and worthy of protection). The creek serves as a dispersion corridor to and from the national forest. This area should be maintained as open space to preserve habitat values and wildlife dispersion.
18.	Spotted Owl Habitat Includes areas of old-growth forest providing habitat suitable for the southern spotted owl, generally in and around Jobs Peak, Cedarpines Park, Valley of Enchantment, Crestline, and Lake Gregory. Habitat for southern spotted owl and other species should be maintained.
19.	Waterman Canyon This wildlife corridor follows the alignment of Waterman Canyon northward from the City of San Bernardino into the national forest, and contains riparian habitat, as well as good habitat values for deer. Open space should be maintained in this area to preserve habitat values and wildlife dispersion.
20.	Strawberry Creek This wildlife corridor follows the alignment of Strawberry Creek from approximately the City of San Bernardino northward into the national forest and connects to Corridor 16. This area contains important riparian habitat. Substantial private ownership along entire line. Open space should be maintained inthis area to preserve habitat values.
21.	Lake Arrowhead This includes the environs of Lake Arrowhead, which is a seasonal perching area by the endangered bald eagle. Substantial private ownership and urbanization have occurred in the area around the lake. Open space objectives for this area include maintaining perching sites and habitat for the bald eagle and habitat values for other species.
22.	Dispersion Corridor Located generally between the urbanized areas of Lake Arrowhead and Running Springs, this area is important as the last major undeveloped portion of the mountain rim, and provides crucial habitat and dispersion for animals moving between the northern and southern exposures of the national forest
23.	Deep Creek This wildlife corridor follows the alignment of Deep Creek from the vicinity of Running Springs northward through the national forest. Deep Creek is an important habitat area of rich species diversity, and is a state-designated Wild Trout Stream. Some private ownership occurs in the vicinity of Running Springs. This wildlife corridor should be maintained as a wildlife habitat and dispersion area.
24.	City Creek This wildlife corridor follows the alignment of City Creek from its headwaters to the junction with Santa Ana River. City Creek contains important riparian habitat and a link between the national forest and Santa Ana River. The endangered Santa Ana River wooly star has been sighted along City Creek. The creek also supports wild trout and native fish, including the Santa Ana sucker, which is listed as a "Sensitive Species by USFS. City Creek should be maintained for habitat values, and as an important link between the Santa Ana River and the national forest.
25.	Plunge Creek Following a portion of Plunge Creek from the national forest to the Santa Ana River, this wildlife corridor contains riparian habitat and provides an important link from the national forest to the Santa Ana River. The creek also supports native fish, including the arroyo chub, listed by USFS as a "sensitive species." Plunge Creek should be maintained as an open space area to preserve habitat and wildlife dispersion.
26.	Bear Creek This wildlife corridor follows the alignment of Bear Creek from its junction with Santa Ana River northward to the outlet of Big Bear Lake. Bear Creek contains important riparian habitat and is officially designated as a Wild Trout Stream by the Dept of Fish and Game. Open space should be maintained along Bear Creek to maintain habitat values.
27.	Spoor Canyon Wildlife Corridor Links the Crafton Hills Open Space Area with the national forest. Wildlife dispersion should be maintained within the corridor to provide continued opportunity for migration into and out of Crafton Hills.
28.	Mountain Home Village/Creek Confluence Located in the vicinity of Mountain Home Village, along the alignment of Mountain Home Creek, this area contains one of the best examples of riparian forest in the San Bernardino Mountains. The creek supports wild rainbow trout, and is therefor worthy of protection as a native fishery.
31.	Mill Creek Follows the alignment of Mill Creek from Forest Falls to the confluence with the Santa Ana River. Mill Creek is an important riparian area and supports wild rainbow trout. Habitat values in Mill Creek should be maintained. If possible, publich ownership should be consolidated.
34.	Pacific Crest Trail From the boundary of the national forest to the Riverside County Line. In addition to the trail, this area contains riparian and Bighorn Sheep habitat. Habitat values should be maintained here.
35.	Mission Springs Located in the vicinity of Mission Springs, this area contains Bighorn sheep and riparian habitat and is traversed by the PCT. Habitat values should be maintained here.
37.	Sleepy Creek Follows the alignment of Sleepy Creek within the national forest and contains important riparian habitat on the desert side of the mountains. Habitat values should be maintained; public ownership of important habitat areas may be appropriate.
38.	Arrastre Creek Follows the alignment of Arrastre Creek from within the national forest to the desert. This corridor contains important riparian habitat in a desert setting and provides good habitat for birds. This creek is the only site in California where the hepatic tanager, a bird of concern to the state, is known to occur. Habitat values should be maintained, potentially thru public ownership of important habitat areas.
39.	Grapevine Creek This area follows the alignment of Grapevine Creek from Cactus Flat to the confluence with Arrastre Creek. Grapevine Creek contains good riparian habitat of special value due to its proximity to the desert. Habitat values here should be maintained, potentially through public ownership.
41.	Shay Meadow Located east of Big Bear City and north of the Woodlands area, Shay Meadow is an example of rare wet meadow habitat in the mountains and supports a variety of endangered plants and animals, including stickleback fish. Objectives for this area include maintaining habitat values, seeking public ownership of important habitat areas, preventing development of adjacent areas which would adversely affect the watershed, and protecting stickleback and other species.
42.	Big Bear Lake Watershed Includes the entire watershed of Big Bear Lake and contains a number of specialized habitat areas supporting a large number of endangered plants and animals, as well as commonly occurring mountain species. Habitat values here should be maintained, potentially by controlling development to prevent damage to important habitat areas.
43.	Holcomb Valley Part of the Big Bear Lake watershed area, Holcomb Valley contains several examples of mountain habitats peculiar to this area, including pebble plains which support a variety of endangered species. Habitat values should be maintained, potentially by controlling development to prevent damage to important habitat areas.
44.	Baldwin Lake Located east of Big Bear Lake, Baldwin Lake and the surrounding area provides rare wet meadow habitat and supports a number of endangered species, including stickleback fish. Natural values should be maintained, potentially by controlling development to prevent damage to important habitat areas.
45.	Limestone Deposits This encompasses an area of limestone deposits on the northern exposure of the San Bernardino Mountains, roughly from White Mountain to Blackhawk Mountain. This area provides habitat for Bighorn sheep. The limestone deposits support plants peculiar to this area, including species being considered for federal protection as endangered species. Habitat values should be maintained, potentially by controlling development to prevent damage to important habitat areas.
53.	Santa Ana River This includes the entire length of the Santa Ana River within San Bernardino County. The Santa Ana River, although urbanized along some portions of its length, is one of the most important open space resources in the Valley and Mountain regions, providing important habitat and riparian areas. In its upper reaches, the river supports wild trout in its lower reaches; where it passes through urban areas, it has the potential to serve as an important open space resource for human and wildlife use. Among the endangered species living on the habitat in the river is the Santa Ana River woolystar, an endangered plant found nowhere else in the world. Many objectives have been developed for the Santa Ana River: Maintaining the river as a natural open space area along its entire length; improving habitat values where possible; regulating sand and gravel operations within the river to prevent damage to habitat; constructing the Santa Ana River regional trail, and cooperating with Riverside County, USFS, and adjacent cities to protect open space resources.