Did you know that the Portuguese Bend Nature Reserve is comprised of ten ecological reserves on 399 acres of the Palos Verdes Peninsula? The preserve is made up of the Vista del Norte Ecological Reserve, Aqua Amarga Ecological Reserve, Vicente Bluffs Ecological Reserve, Alta Vicente Ecological Reserve, Abalone Cove Ecological Reserve, Three Sisters Ecological Reserve, Canyons Ecological Reserve, Forrestal Ecological Reserve, San Ramon Ecological Reserve and Ocean Trails Ecological Reserve. These ten were joined together into the Nature Reserve in 2005. The Portuguese Bend Nature Reserve consists of rolling hills, steep canyons, coastal sage scrub habitat and fragrant and dought resistant shrubs and flowering plants.
In August of 2009, a wildfire burned approximately 165 acres within the Nature Reserve. The fire affected not only the vegetation but also the nesting sites of the coastal California gnatcher and the cactus wren. The burn area is still being actively reforested/repaired . This includes not only trail repairs, but selective weeding and planting of native species that were lost.
The main entrance to the Portuguese Bend Nature Reserve is near Del Cerro Park at the end of Crenshaw Boulevard in Rancho Palos Verdes. (Del Cerro Park, #2 Park Place, Rancho Palos Verdes 90275).
Photo courtesy of PVPLC
