As summer winds down and the weather starts cooling, it’s time to get out and enjoy nature. Calling all Kindergarten through 8th grade students!  You, your family, and your friends are invited to explore the beautiful lands of western Riverside County to earn an exclusive patch.

The Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority’s (RCA) 146 Project is a great way to learn about the region’s 146 plant and animal species protected by the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP), and to encourage the exploration of conserved lands in western Riverside County.

In 2021, the Riverside County Transportation Commission became the managing agency for the RCA. Measure A, the voter-approved sales tax for transportation improvements in Riverside County, has contributed more than $150 million towards land acquisitions for the MSHCP in support of regional transportation projects. Through MSHCP, the RCA’s goal is to assemble 500,000 acres of reserve land in western Riverside County. RCTC strives to educate our communities about how transportation and conservation are linked. The 146 Project will help foster future generations to continue advancing our environmental, economic, and mobility goals.

Through the 146 Project, students can learn more about RCA’s conservation efforts and the 146 native plant and animal species, including 34 species that are either endangered or threatened in western Riverside County. This isn’t just a fun activity–it’s an educational journey.

Students can participate in the 146 Project and earn their exclusive patch by visiting 146Project.org. There, students can complete a series of fun activities corresponding to their grade level, including visiting one of eight land reserves, learning about the RCA and its efforts to protect 146 native species, taking a short quiz, and completing an art activity or writing assignment. Once completed activities are submitted online, students will receive their patch in the mail.

So, get in gear and embark on an exciting journey to explore the wonders of wildlife in western Riverside County.