Cottonwood Canyon ​
Cottonwood Canyon, our 11-acre preserve in Pasadena, was one of the most valued properties we identified for habitat connectivity and ecological value. The canyon is the single identified route for wildlife in and out of the San Rafael Hills. It serves as a critical corridor for wildlife traveling west from the Arroyo Seco into the San Rafael Hills and, when our efforts are successful, to the Verdugo Mountains beyond.
We have two parcels in the Cottonwood Canyon corridor and work to conserve the balance of the canyon for continued wildlife passage. Take a look at the map below showing both Cottonwood properties and their strategic importance to wildlife passage through the canyon.
Cottonwood I
Cottonwood I is at the bottom of a beautiful spring-fed canyon, relatively secluded and untouched, making it a prime refuge for wildlife and plants in the otherwise dry hillsides.
Thanks to strong community support and grants from the CA Natural Resources Agency, CA Department of Fish & Wildlife, and Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy preserved these 11 acres of wildlife corridor in the Linda Vista area of Pasadena. The land had been in the same families since 1885, including the family line of Clark Blanchard Millikan, one of the founders and chairman of Caltech’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, since 1935. The Cottonwood Canyon Water Company incorporated there in 1892 and dispersed water to a large segment of Northwestern Pasadena.
Cottonwood II
Cottonwood II is a small but strategic parcel located in the center of Cottonwood Canyon.
One of the ways AFC acquires property is through tax default auctions. The Los Angeles Treasurer and Tax Collector holds annual auctions of properties with unpaid taxes and penalties. AFC scours the list of properties looking for vacant land in the Hahamongna ~ Tujunga Wildlife Corridor that will establish, maintain or enhance wildlife passage. Cottonwood II is one of those properties, purchased through auction for $10,000.
Habitat & Wildlife
Cottonwood Canyon contains all four major plant communities found in the Pasadena and Altadena foothills: Southern Oak Woodland, Coastal Sage Scrub, Chaparral and Streamside Riparian. The spring on the property flows year-round into the Arroyo Seco and is  one of only two year-round sources of water for wildlife in the Arroyo Seco below Devil’s Gate Dam. Dense woodland shade helps retain this water.
Mammals of the area expected to be using Cottonwood as a corridor include:
- mule deer
- mountain lion
- bobcat
- coyote
- gray fox
- black bear
- raccoon
- striped skunk
- Virginia opossum
- long-tailed weasel
- Audubon’s cottontail rabbit
- California ground squirrel
- fox squirrel
- western gray squirrel
- Merriam’s chipmunk and numerous rodents.
- In addition, numerous reptiles and amphibians are expected to share the habitat.
Cottonwood has an impressive birding habitat, for both year-round living space and migration.
Friends of Cottonwood Canyon
As AFC raised money to acquire Cottonwood, we formed a Friends of Cottonwood Canyon to steward the property and protect it for wildlife. Some of the accomplishments of the Friends include:
- Habitat Restoration: Removed invasive plants and restored native habitat.
- Community Engagement: Organized monthly volunteer workdays, fostering a sense of community and environmental stewardship.
- Pollinator Garden: Supported the installation of a pollinator garden Eagle Scout project.
- Future Planning: Actively participate in planning future restoration efforts, including the removal of invasive species, daylighting of Yocum Spring, and replanting native vegetation.
By working together, the Friends of Cottonwood Canyon are making a lasting impact on the health and beauty of this critical gateway into the San Rafael Hills.
Want to become a Friend of Cottonwood? Learn more about our Friends Groups here and reach out to our Program Director Kyle Cavazos to get involved!