The sandhills habitat at Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve (BDER) is an ecologically significant resource requiring special management and protection. The primary purpose of the reserve is the protection and preservation of its rare animals, plants and geology.

A local community organization called Friends of Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve works to preserve BDER through trail maintenance and education in partnership with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife. Several members of the group are shown above with the kiosk signs they created and placed at the entrance to the Reserve.

BDER’s fragile, sandy soils easily erode, forming deep gullies. Hikers on and off trails break up the soft sand, and the next rain washes the sand down to the nearest flat spot. Once the sand is washed away, there’s no bringing it back uphill. Bikes (or any type of wheeled devices) and horses are prohibited, as they are particularly destructive to the sandy soils.

Water bars, which are logs or earthen berms placed across trails, are used on steep sandy sections to prevent erosion by catching sand and slowing water flow. In some places, trails have been closed and re-routed due to erosion. Visitors are asked to respect trail closures and closed areas and stay on designated trails.

The unique rock outcroppings on the Reserve (Moon Rocks) are particularly vulnerable to damage. The rocks are composed of fragile Santa Margarita sandstone which can easily turn to sand—climbing, sliding, walking, or carving into the soft, sandy rocks does permanent, irreversible damage. Damage to the rocks harms habitat and threatens the rare species of plants and insects that live there.

The Laguna Creek Trail, which is adjacent to BDER, is owned and operated by the Land Trust of Santa Cruz, Save the Redwoods League, Sempervirens Fund, and Peninsula Open Space Trust. We are grateful for the work the Friends of the Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve have done and continue to do. If you want to help, they are always looking for other nature lovers to assist in maintaining the trails, picking up trash, checking the kiosk, or donating materials. To learn about upcoming training and maintenance days, send an email to bdecoreserve@gmail.com to be added to their mailing list.

Hiking is permitted on designated trails between sunrise and sunset. For more information on the area and to plan your visit, click here.