The city of Lake Elsinore in Southern California has announced the closure of its Walker Canyon in anticipation of the seasonal bloom of wild poppies. The city experienced a “super bloom” of poppies in 2019, which drew in thousands of visitors, causing gridlocks, overcrowding, and even environmental damage. To prevent a repeat of the chaos, the city has closed the trails, roads, and parking areas surrounding Walker Canyon and will not be running shuttles to the location. The closure of Walker Canyon is a result of the increasing issue of overtourism, where popular destinations are being forced to shut down due to excessive tourist traffic.
Mayor Natasha Johnson stated that while Lake Elsinore typically welcomes visitors to enjoy its vibrant community and boost its economy, the visitors to Walker Canyon in 2019 resulted in a cost that was too high for the residents and wildlife. Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco warned that any visitors to the canyon could face steep penalties and even arrest as they will be implementing a zero-tolerance policy for trespassing and parking on the sides of the roadways.
The closure of Walker Canyon has received mixed reactions from the public, with some residents being disappointed while others are glad to avoid gridlocks. Some have criticized the city for missing out on the opportunity to make money from the phenomenon, but Mayor Johnson stressed that the city’s main focus is the safety and preservation of its community.
For those looking to enjoy the beauty of the wild poppies, the city has live video footage of Walker Canyon available on its website. Mayor Johnson encourages visitors to focus on the Super Bowl and not the “super bloom” that is not happening this year. With the new rules of travel, it is important to respect the efforts being made to preserve natural resources and to avoid being an overtourist.
Lake Elsinore Prevents Repeat of 2019 “Super Bloom” Chaos with Walker Canyon Closure
Latest from Nature
Farewell to Tan Tan, Japan’s Beloved Giant Panda, Dies at 29, Marking Close of Sino-Japanese Panda Diplomacy Chapter
On April 1st, according to the latest report, the giant panda Tan Tan (female, born in September 1995), who resided at Oji Zoo, Kobe in Japan, suffered from Grade IV heart failure
How Private Biospheres in India Are Combating Climate Crisis with Afforestation
In a climate-crisis-ridden country like India, public initiative is not enough to reference this land. So private and collective biospheres are coming up. It is a heartening sign to see afforestation as
2023 Amazon Inferno: 26.4 Million Acres Ablaze, Climate Crisis to Blame?
Nature has got many wonders. One of the miracles of nature is a rain forest. Rainforest is characterized by a closed and continuous tree canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes and
Clavelina Ossipandae, a Sea Squirt with Panda-like Appeal, Captivates Scientists
A new species of sea squirt, recently discovered off the coast of Kumejima in Okinawa Prefecture, has been creating a buzz on social media due to its peculiar appearance. Dubbed the “Skeleton
Bottom Trawling’s 370M Metric Tons of CO2 Hidden Emissions Revealed
A recent study led by Trisha Atwood from the Quinney College of Natural Resources reveals that bottom trawling is one of the major causes of carbon pollution. Bottom trawling is dragging heavy
Rising Ocean Temps Set Stage for Catastrophic Coral Bleaching Worldwide
The world is on the verge of a fourth mass coral bleaching event which could see wide swathes of tropical reefs die, including parts of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the US National
Nature Alert: Urgent Conservation Plans for Endangered Hawksbill Turtle, Angelshark Unveiled at CMS COP14
Animals, alongside human beings and plants, are crucial partners in maintaining the ecological balance. The 14th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS COP14) of
Mangrove Massacre at Chanakya Lake in Navi Mumbai: Citizens’ Outcry Leads to FIR Against Land Clearance
The CIDCO is the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra. It is an Indian city planning agency. It is the richest government authority in India. It is formed and controlled by
Vulture Crisis in Mumbai: How Ancient Parsi Rituals Face Modern Challenges
The disposal of dead human bodies is carried out in many ways, generally depending on one’s religion or faith. A majority of Hindus cremate their dead bodies. A few Hindus belonging to
Rhino Resurrection: Berlin’s IVF Advances Could Save Northern White Subspecies
Survival of the fittest is the law of the jungle. But we can always help a living creature to survive with modern techniques. Scientists in Berlin on Wednesday announced the first successful
Nearly Two Centuries of Life: Saint Helena’s Jonathan Tortoise Hits 191
Despite losing his sight and sense of smell, Jonathan leads a vibrant life amidst green lawns and historical relics. 🌺 With a diet rich in fruits and veggies 🥕, this gentle giant’s
UCLA Scientists Map the $20 Billion Global Pangolin Trade, Offering New Study for Endangered Species
The study from UCLA scientists and colleagues employs genomics to identify poaching hotspots and trading routes of the endangered white-bellied pangolin. Published in the journal “Science” on December 14, 2023, this research
Mysteries of Coral Spawning: Behind the Lens with Gabriel Guzman
An award-winning photographer of marine oceans, Gabriel Guzman, recently captured imagery of coral spawning, which offers insightful information on the environmental and technical aspects of marine photography. Gabriel Guzman, known for his
113,806 Trees Reveal: U.S. Forests’ Stark East-West Divide in Climate Response
Researchers J. Aaron Hogan and Jeremy W. Lichstein conducted a thorough review of data from the U.S. Forest Service that illuminated the significant and varied effects of climate change on forests throughout
Rising Bird Fatalities at Renewable Energy Sites: New Study Highlights Environmental Challenge
A recent study led by Hannah Vanderbilt Zandenan, assistant professor of biology at the University of Florida, sheds light on a critical environmental issue: the rising bird fatalities at wind and solar
