Moreno Badlands Conservancy News & Blog

Updates and victories from the fight to protect our land and wildlife.

This blog features community commentary, editorial opinions, and visual interpretations based on publicly available documents. Some images, whether labeled or stylized, are included for advocacy and awareness purposes. They may not represent final or official development plans.

Split image showing an industrial wastewater machine labeled “The Plan” and a dry hillside with a “Future Homesite” sign labeled “The Site.”

No Sewer. No Backup. No Excuse.

There is no city sewer infrastructure on the east end of Moreno Valley. Homes rely on septic systems, not just on the hillside but even in the developed areas east of Nason and north of the 60 freeway. This image is an artist’s rendition based on public records and manufacturer information. It is not part…

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Two signs in a dry field: one says “Affordable Housing,” the other warns “Wildfire Zone.”

Affordable Housing Shouldn’t Mean Dangerous

Moreno Valley has always been a working community. It’s a place where people from all walks of life, union laborers, caregivers, veterans, and young families, put down roots, raise families, and build a life. It’s a community defined not by luxury but by resilience and affordability. We all know housing is in crisis. But affordable…

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Traffic jam on a narrow rural road with a "Dead End" sign, surrounded by dry hills in Moreno Valley

Parks, Planning, & Warning Signs

Why Zoning Isn’t Just a Technicality, It’s a Warning Label We have parks because of the zoning on the west side of Moreno Valley.Ballfields. Picnic tables. Space to breathe.The lots are small. The driveways are tight.But that was part of the plan. They built compact neighborhoods and gave families open space in return.A trade. A…

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Street lined with parked cars in a suburban Moreno Valley neighborhood

Why Can’t I Park on My Own Street?

If you’ve driven through much of Moreno Valley lately, you’ve seen it: cars parked bumper to bumper down residential streets, wrapped around corners, and squeezed into every inch of curb space. And if you live here, you’ve probably said it yourself: “Why can’t I even park in front of my own house anymore?” This isn’t…

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A composite image showing a zoning map overlaying the natural foothills of east Moreno Valley with colored boundaries representing land use designations.

Zoning History of East Moreno Valley

Why the Hills East of Moreno Valley Were Zoned Rural: A Historical Perspective The zoning history of east of Moreno Valley, north of the 60 freeway, has long been designated for rural use. For many concerned homeowners, this area represents beautiful open space and a deliberate planning decision to preserve safety, character, and the environment….

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Split-screen image showing a wild burro and owl in the natural hills of East Moreno Valley on the left, and a dense trailer park development on the right, highlighting the contrast between open space and urban sprawl. Artists rendition from the Moreno Badlands Conservnacy

Start Here: Why the Moreno Valley Conservancy Exists

The Situation Moreno Valley has experienced significant development since the 1980s, transforming much of the area into suburban neighborhoods. However, the eastern side has remained largely rural, and for good reason. The Moreno Badlands Conservancy plays a pivotal role in preserving these open spaces as the closer you get to the hills, the more challenging…

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Dominick here –

Name’s Dominick, longtime canyon wanderer, sometime troublemaker, full-time believer in better ideas. You’re probably wondering what a donkey is doing writing a blog…

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A word from St. Tim

I’m Timothy, once Bishop of Ephesus, companion of Paul, defender of the early Church, and now, somehow, guardian of a canyon in California that carries my name.

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