Environmental activists are working to protect endangered species by restricting access to a popular hiking trail with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. The Dana Point Headlands trail is home to the Pacific pocket mouse, a species with only 77 remaining individuals. The San Diego Zoo has initiated conservation efforts to help this tiny mouse survive.
Due to the mouse’s peak activity times in the early morning and evening, the activists are advocating for reduced trail hours during these periods. While the trail was initially open to the public every day from dawn to dusk, recent developments have limited access to specific days and hours. The Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM) wants further restrictions on the number of days and hours hikers can use the trail.
CNLM is concerned about the negative impact of increased human activity on the pocket mouse population. The group has appealed the city’s permit to the California Coastal Commission, seeking to reduce the number of days the trail is open and shorten the hours of access. The Coastal Commission will review the appeal and decide if changes need to be made to the permit.
The dispute over trail usage has been ongoing for years, with Mayor Jamey Federico advocating for daily access to the trail. He believes that while adaptive management is necessary to protect the mouse population, every effort should be made to improve the population before considering trail closures.
The Headlands is crucial for the survival of the Pacific pocket mouse, one of only three known colonies. CNLM purchased the land in 2005 to preserve endangered species and plants, investing millions of dollars in conservation efforts. The group monitors the mouse population and visitor numbers to assess the impact of human activity on the mice.
CNLM’s attorney, Sarah Mueller, suggests reducing trail hours to minimize the negative effects of human presence on the mice. However, Mayor Federico believes that managing the mouse population within the current setup is preferable to closing the trail. The conflict between conservation efforts and public access continues, with both sides striving to protect the fragile ecosystem of the Dana Point Headlands.