New Idria's Natural Resources

The Idria region is rich in diverse geology, fauna and flora, some of which are found no where else in the world. The Idria region is the only place in the world where gem quality Benitoite can be found. It is also the only place in the world where four particular types of conifers are found growing together---Jeffrey pine, the Coulter pine, the Foothill pine and the Incense cedar. The area is also home to many rare and protected plant and animal species, such as the San Benito Evening Primrose that grows nowhere else in the world, and the San Joaquin Kit Fox, golden eagles, and California condors.

The nineteenth century practice of using wood as fuel for fires totally denuded much of the region, but the change from wood to oil, and the later cessation of mining has allowed nature to recover greatly since those destructive days. Today Idria is surrounded by a chamise/chaparral woodland, with some oak woodland/foothill pine. Numerous native flowering species exist and wildlife includes many mammals, reptiles, burrowing animals, deer, upland game birds, and nocturnal birds. And, of course, since the Idria region is well known as a mining district, it follows that it would offer abundant and diverse mineral deposits.