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C a s t a i c   R a  n g e

The geographic position of this connection, near the juncture of the Castaic, Tehachapi, and Sierra Madre ranges, creates a rich mosaic of vegetative communities.  Montane hardwood and mixed coniferous forests occur at higher elevations in both core areas, dominated by Jeffrey pine, ponderosa pine, sugar pine, incense cedar, and white fir, with interspersed blue oak woodlands.  In the northern part of the linkage, pinyon-juniper woodland, sagebrush, and coastal sage scrub dominate, with grassland at lower elevations.  Mixed chaparral is the primary plant community in the central part of the linkage, with oak woodlands in deep canyons and rich riparian systems at lower elevations.  Focal species chosen that require large intact wildlands to survive include spotted owl, mule deer, badger, and puma.  Some of the less mobile focal species selected include rain beetle, blotched salamander, and western pond turtle. 

Roughly 12 miles of public lands occur on either side of Interstate 5 within the linkage zone, much of it pristine, roadless wildlands.  The Sespe Wilderness Area is just west of Interstate 5; its primary tributary, Sespe Creek is a major undammed stream with great riparian habitat that supports steelhead, red-legged frogs, arroyo toads, and pond turtles.  Just east of Interstate 5, the Liebre and Sawmill mountains contains unique high elevation montane habitats, and Bigcone Douglas-fir and canyon live oak forests line virtually every north-facing canyon, most of these canyons support spotted owls.