More than 38 species of rare plants and animals inhabit the river

The Santa Clara River ecosystem is home to numerous species of concern, including the tidewater goby, arroyo southwestern toad, California red-legged frog, San Diego horned lizard, western snowy plover, spotted owl, southwestern willow flycatcher and Cooper's hawk.

The river system is the last major wild river in Southern California. Animals on the Edge, a global conservation group, wants to keep it that way.