Welcome!

In the foothills of the San Bernardino mountains, there exists a very unique ecological island. The Crafton Hills, a lush chapparal and coastal sage habitat, is surrounded on all sides by flat desert land. The Crafton Hills is home to hundreds of animal and plant life who live in harmony with each other. The vegetation on those hillsides are like nothing else in the surrounding land.

Nestled in this ecological island, Crafton Hills College (CHC) is a San Bernardino County community college, serving the surrounding communities, including Yucaipa, Redlands, Mentone, Calimesa, and Cherry Valley. The hilly campus is flanked on all sides by the shrubs and grasses of Crafton Hills. The drives and lots are sheltered by large trees, providing shelter to it's students and staff.

Make sure you also visit the Crafton Hills Open Space Conservancy (CHOSC) to learn about the latest news and events in preserving this ecological treasure. As they state on their web site:

CHOSC strives to protect in perpetuity the natural environment of the area for its significant watershed, ecological and aesthetic values, and other benefits to the public interest.

So if you are interested in learning more about the Crafton Hills, I suggest that you contact them and open your eyes to the beauty in our backyard.

Trees at CHC Kudos! As the author of this website, I'd like to take some space here to thank an individual who was invaluable resource of information. This individual generously shared with me the intricacies of the Crafton Hills ecology and what a precious resource this place is. So, Al Kelley, thanks for opening my eyes to this beauty that was under my nose the whole time!