on't be fooled by coastal sage scrub's pedestrian appearance. While scrub habitat may resemble nothing more than an assortment of dry brown bushes, it is one of California's most important and biologically diverse habitats. The composition of its plant species varies considerably from location to location in response to soils and orientation to the sun, making the habitat ideal for several unique and threatened animals. These include the California gnatcatcher, cactus wren, Bell's sage sparrow, coast horned lizard, red diamondback rattlesnake and orange-throated whiptail lizard.

Only 10 percent to 25 percent of Southern California's original coastal sage scrub habitat remains, according to The Nature Conservancy. The variety of unique plants and animals supported by coastal sage scrub is one of the reasons why California, and particularly the south coast area, is regarded as a global "hotspot" for biological diversity.

And that is why The Nature Conservancy focuses considerable energy on restoring and protecting the reserve's coastal sage scrub habitat. To date, more than 450 acres have been or are being restored, including several acres currently under restoration in the Laguna Laurel area of Laguna Canyon.

Restoration takes a variety of forms, including seeding and planting. In addition, "passive restoration" - such as erecting fencing, relocating cattle and removing artichoke thistle and other invasive, non-native plant species from coastal sage scrub habitat - has been conducted on more than 2,000 acres.