Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve

Recreational Opportunities

Activities: wildlife viewing

Please note that motorized vehicles, bicycles and horses are prohibited at all times on the property. For a complete list of permitted activities, please see the trail signage in the presentation above.

The public is encouraged to visit and explore the reserve. However, it is important that we all use the reserve respectfully to help preserve this sensitive environment. It is the visitor’s responsibility to understand and follow the rules posted at the trail heads and stay in designated areas.

Access for pedestrians and hikers is from sunrise to sunset. Users can walk or hike on designated trails, bring dogs as long as they are retained on a leash of less than 10 feet and view wildlife at a safe distance. Activities that could have a detrimental effect on the land are horseback riding, mountain biking and the flying of small aircraft – all of which are prohibited.

Area History

Vandenberg Air Force Base, which shares the western boundary of the reserve, started operation in 1941 as an armor and infantry training camp. The establishment of the camp curtailed the agricultural activities in this area, and suburban communities were constructed adjacent to the property. Beginning in 1991, the property was acquired because of the high value of its environmentally sensitive resources, particularly the rich botanical diversity of the Burton Mesa Chaparral habitat. In 2004, the property was designated as an ecological reserve by the Fish and Game Commission.

Rare Plants

Visitors can view this unique habitat up close, including several plant species listed below that are found nowhere else in the world.

• Vandenberg Monkeyflower (Diplacus vandenbergensis)- An annual plant that grows in sandy soil and produces a brilliant yellow wildflower that's indigenous to Lompoc. The presence of contiguous chaparral habitat is important because it provides a perfect environment for seed dispersal and establishment of new plants.
• Purisima manzanita (Arctostaphylos purissima) - Bright green shiny leaves and smooth, burgundy red, seasonal peeling bark. Primary threat is direct removal of plants and fragmentation of natural populations.
• Shagbark manzanita (Arctostaphylos rudis) - Evergreen shrub that reaches 2 meters in height and has grayish bark with a reddish tinge, but does not peel. Primary threat is direct removal of plants and fragmentation of natural populations.
• Lompoc ceanothus (Ceanothus cuneatus var. fascicularis) - Evergreen glossy leaves and can only reproduce by seed. Flowers in the winter and are white to lavender to pale blue.