Hibberd Preserve
Map SatelliteA variety of communities is present on this preserve which lies a few kilometers inland from the coast. Much of the area is covered by a woodland, with coast live oak, Quercus agrifolia, and interior live oak, Quercus wislizenii, predominant, or a mixed evergreen forest where the oak is associated with madrone, Arbutus menziesii, California bay, Umbellularia californica, tan-oak, Lithocarpus densiflorus, and occasionally Bishop pine, Pinus muricata. The pine also grows in pure stands, forming islands in the chaparral.
The chaparral on the preserve includes chamise, Adenostoma fasciculatum. Arctostaphylos tomentosa, and the rare and endemic Arctostaphylos pechoensis. There is an abundance of coastal sage scrub which frequently forms the understory in the oak woodland. Among these species are California sagebrush, Artemisia californica, black sage, Salvia mellifera, deerweed, Lotus scoparius, and bush lupine, Lupinus albifrons.
A riparian association is found along the various creek courses and includes California bay, Umbellularia californica, big-leaf maple, Acer macrophyllum, dogwood, Cornus sericea ssp. sericea, and sycamore, Platanus racemosa.
Some 144 species of plants have been identified as occurring on the preserve.
Numerous animals are present, such as the bobcat, Lynx rufus, gray fox, Urocyon cinereoargenteus, coyote, Canis latrans, longtail weasel, Mustela frenata, hairy woodpecker, Dendrocopos villosus, and apparently an unusually large population of Bewick's wren, Thryomanes bewickii. The rubber boa, Charina bottae, may occur here.
There are four creeks on the property, two of which are perennial, as well as several waterfalls.
Integrity: Grazing, woodcutting and some controlled burning have taken place in the area. Power lines and access roads cross the property. However, most of the preserve is in relatively good condition.
Use: Research, educational.
April 1982
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman
