Conservation group seeks final $20 million to complete $95 million West Coyote Hills purchase
Friends of Coyote Hills have secured over three-quarters of the $95 million needed to buy the 510-acre West Coyote Hills, but a $20 million shortfall remains.
West Coyote Hills, a 510-acre former oil field on the edge of Fullerton, California, has been the focus of a half-century battle between developers and preservationists. Friends of Coyote Hills, which has already secured more than three-quarters of the $95 million price tag, now needs an additional $20 million to finalize the deal with Chevron-Pacific Coast Homes. The State of California, through the Watershed Conservation Authority, has pledged $75 million, and the purchase was approved in April 2026.
If completed, the acquisition will bring the total protected land to 582 acres, encompassing the Robert E Ward Nature Preserve and critical habitats for species such as the California gnatcatcher and coastal cactus wren. The site also safeguards a large portion of the Lower San Gabriel River Watershed, helping to mitigate storm-water impacts downstream. The final funding push is expected to close by 2027, securing the area for recreation, education and biodiversity.
Why it matters
Preserving the land protects rare wildlife, water quality and provides green space for millions of nearby residents.
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