Now that we are officially “in” Spring, here are some facts about California Poppies. It became the official state flower of California on March 2, 1903. And, on April 6th it is California Poppy Day. Poppies are bright, cheerful, and easy to grow in your garden too. Like all plants, wildlife, and resources in our parklands–they are protected by law. Keep them in the ground where they belong.
Our comfort post for today is another super bloom photo of Chino Hills State Park. The airplane is flying near the 91 freeway heading toward 71 freeway. Among the green grasses you can see the numerous orange slopes and ridgelines of California Poppies. Many of the blooms were accessible by the road or by trail. (Remember always stay on designated trails otherwise park resources get ruined).
Our first request for photos was the mega-bloom from last year, so here is a photo from 2019 of the poppies and green hills in Chino Hills State Park. A little background: the California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) became the state flower in 1903–therefore it is protected. This means you can’t destroy, harm or pick the flower. (Which is actually true of all resources in our State Park system–rocks, feathers, branches, flowers, etc. are all protected.) The flower tends to be found … Read More
Spring 2019 (PDF – 714 KB) Highlights: Tonner Canyon (Tres Hermanos) Stunning Poppy Bloom Esperanza Hills Hidden Oaks Matrix Oil Drilling Stalled Significant Ecological Area Ordinance Congrats to Mike Hughes! Diamond Bar General Plan Update 2008 Freeway Complex Fire Remembered
Remember to stay on designated trails and avoid trampling the flowers (even for that perfect photo/selfie), because future blooms won’t happen. This article helps explain why. Read this Bay Nature article.
We made it into Chino Hills State Park today. Rangers are patrolling and ticketing so keep your dogs on leash and only on Bane Canyon Road, follow the speed limit (15mph), stay on designated trails, park in designated areas, and don’t trample or pick flowers.