New land purchase supports wildfire resilience efforts and permanent conservation to benefit nearby communities now and into the future
Whittier, CA — December 11, 2025 — The Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority (Habitat
Authority) today announced it has closed escrow on a newly protected 5.5 acre parcel of open space
in La Habra Heights. The purchase ensures the permanent preservation and protection of the land and
advances critical wildfire resilience measures for surrounding communities.
The acquisition was made possible with recent funding received from the San Gabriel and Lower Los
Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC), a state agency. The funding supports the Habitat
Authority’s Puente Hills Fire Resiliency project, which enhances wildfire safety for the Puente
Hills Preserve and the surrounding communities of Whittier, La Habra Heights, Hacienda Heights and
Rowland Heights.
“This acquisition is a powerful example of what local and state partnerships can achieve for our
communities”, said Ivan Sulic, Chair of the Habitat Authority’s Board of Directors. “By protecting
this land forever, we’re strengthening wildfire resilience, preserving critical habitat, and
ensuring that future generations can experience the beauty and natural diversity of the Puente
Hills.”
The state funding originates from the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought
Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024, under Chapter 3 Wildfire and Forest Resilience. The
three-year grant agreement, executed in August, supports four core components:
A. Wildfire Prevention and Protection
B. Wildfire Prevention Planning
C. Biological Consulting & Contractor Oversight
D. Land Acquisition
This land acquisition will add to the Habitat Authority’s Puente Hills Preserve and permanently
preserve the land as open space. The Habitat Authority has plans to further protect the hills and surrounding communities with the development of a permanent firebreak in the form of a trailhead, on this parcel, using the same grant funding from the RMC.
“This purchase represents a major step forward in our long-term strategy to safeguard both the Puente Hills Preserve and the people who live around it,” said Andrea Gullo, Habitat Authority Executive Director. “With this new land, we’re not only expanding protected open space, we’re building real, lasting wildfire defenses that benefit the local community.”
Since its establishment in 1994, the Habitat Authority has been committed to preserving and protecting more than 3,800 acres of natural habitats of the Puente Hills area, including Hacienda Hills, Turnbull Canyon, Sycamore Canyon, Hellman Park, Arroyo Pescadero, and Powder Canyon. The Habitat Authority offers vital benefits by preventing wildfires, preserving natural habitats, and providing recreational opportunities. Learn more at https://www.habitatauthority.org/.
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Media Contacts
Ivan Sulic, Chair of the Board of Directors, 310.507.5022
Andrea Gullo, Executive Director, 562.201.3581, agullo@habitatauthority.org
