In a milestone celebration of environmental stewardship and community revitalization, Riverside County Third District Supervisor Chuck Washington has issued an official county proclamation recognizing local nonprofit Knöppelåsen and designating State Highway 371 as Pollinator Highway 371.
The proclamation was formally presented to Knöppelåsen’s co-founders Alexander Calapodis and Annika Knöppel by Washington’s Legislative Assistant Melissa Morfin at the annual Founders Day celebration Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Hamilton Museum and Ranch Foundation in Anza.
Knöppelåsen is a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to environmental stewardship, habitat restoration and biodiversity enhancement in the Anza Valley and surrounding regions. As the lead organizing agency behind the Pollinator Highway 371 project, Knöppelåsen champions native flora conservation, resilient wildlife corridors, firescaping and hands-on environmental education to build vibrant, ecologically sustainable communities.
The ceremonial designation highlights the urgent need to protect, restore and enhance native biodiversity for regional pollinators – including native bees, butterflies and other beneficial wildlife – whose habitats are vital to the agricultural health and ecological balance of the Anza Valley and surrounding mountain communities.
Spanning 22 scenic miles, State Highway 371 traverses a dramatic 2,000-foot elevation change, weaving through sweeping mountain vistas and rich chaparral plant communities. This dynamic gradient encompasses a diverse range of microclimates and native flora, making the corridor an indispensable migratory pathway and haven for wildlife. Protecting and revitalizing the native chaparral along this unique mountain route establishes a continuous, resilient habitat network across varying altitudes. Currently there are three established garden nodes along the route with an additional three in development.
Through this official recognition, Riverside County honors Knöppelåsen’s dedicated advocacy in establishing the roadside corridor as a protected habitat for native plants, animals and insects. In addition to creating critical pollinator waystations, the initiative plays an essential role in rural public safety by replacing invasive, combustible brush with resilient native plant communities that help reduce roadside wildfire risks.
“Designating Pollinator Highway 371 is about far more than roadside beautification – it is an investment in the long-term ecological resilience and civic pride of the Anza Valley,” said Morfin while presenting the proclamation on behalf of Supervisor Washington. “Recognizing Knöppelåsen’s dedication reflects the County’s shared commitment to protecting our delicate ecosystems while fostering vibrant, thriving communities.”
The establishment of Pollinator Highway 371 marks a transformative step for the rural corridor, signaling proactive civic care, boosting environmental education and fostering community investment that enriches both the local landscape and the community’s shared heritage.
For more information about the Pollinator Highway 371 initiative, educational outreach and upcoming volunteer opportunities, please contact Knöppelåsen at admin@knoppelasen.org. To make a donation to the project, visit www.knoppelasen.org/ and click on the donate link, or search for @Knoppelasen on Venmo. Every contribution helps them grow more native plants and restore habitat.
Nate Tran photo
Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia.com.
