National Wildlife Federation/ San Diego County

The San Dieguito River Project

by Janet Gilbert, Habitat Steward and SD River Project Activist

The San Dieguito River Project is a partnership in conservation between the San Dieguito River Park and the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy.

Twenty years ago a dream to preserve an entire watershed was shared with a few close friends. Like good news, it has traveled and has now been shared with thousands. The bold vision that emerged two decades ago is being realized. The San Dieguito River Park is a 55-mile river preserve, spanning the San Diego region from the ocean at Del Mar to the river’s origins on Volcan Mountain near Julian.

From its origins on the lush slopes of Volcan Mountain, the Santa Ysabel Creek descends. It courses through pine and oak woodlands, meadows, rocky gorges, chaparral hillsides and into the agricultural valley we know as San Pasqual. At the confluence of the Santa Ysabel Creek and Santa Maria Creek, (The Santa Maria Creek comes from the foothills rimming the valley of Santa Maria where the town of Ramona is located. It flows through the Ramona Grasslands and down Bandy Canyon to the San Pasqual Valley floor.) the San Dieguito River is born. The river now flows into Lake Hodges, (an internationally acclaimed birding site), through Del Dios, coastal steppes and marshland, finally meeting the sea at Del Mar.

What Needs To Be done

The elevation descent from Volcan Mountain to the shore is nearly one mile and traveling the river valley’s length, with its natural diversity and rapid transitions, is like exploring half a continent. The river traverses a complex geology, a range of climate zones, and a succession of habitats. Views from the River Park’s trails and scenic points to the surrounding landscapes provide a cross section of the unique nature of San Diego County.

The River Park Planning Area consists of upwards of 80,000 acres within the 220,000 acres of the San Dieguito River Watershed. Presently, 52,000 acres, approximately 70% of the park, is in protected public ownership. San Diego is developing all around this River Valley and critical gaps exist along segments of the River Park. Development pressures threaten key resources. Our challenge is to secure the natural legacy of the River Park.

The San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy and the River Park Joint Powers Authority have together established clear priorities for achieving the River Park legacy:

1. Complete the protection of the corridor from Lake Sutherland to Santa Ysabel Ranch
2. Establish habitat and trail connections to the Ramona Grasslands
3. Protect the habitat, scenic and recreational values of Lake Hodges
4. Expand the Volcan Mountain Preserve
5. Assist in preserving working ranch landscapes in the eastern watershed
6. Develop trails and interpretive centers and foster long-term stewardship

In close collaboration with The Trust for Public Land (TPL), we have secured an option to purchase agreement for 353-acre Lake Sutherland East Property. The Sutherland East property is a rich mix of vegetation and habitat, meadows, chaparral, oak woodlands, rock outcropping and riparian. Archeological sites are abundant in the area and the old stagecoach line from Julian to Ramona is said to have run across the property.

The conservancy, with its partners, is aggressive in obtaining state and federal grants for land acquisitions, however, citizen support is key to protection. Private donations provide immediate currency while we compete for public funds and, more importantly, demonstrate support and make us eligible to compete for grants requiring matching funds. Please join with the conservancy to help secure the River Park legacy.

Logan Jenkins, journalist for the San Diego Union Tribune, writes, “…the San Dieguito River Park, an ambitious conservation project stretching from Del Mar to Volcan Mountain, will be considered one of the San Diego region’s most noble achievements (bold-face added). Our grandchildren will judge us not by what we sell, but by what we save.”

Please Join Us With Your Support

Together we hold a rare and brief opportunity to preserve some of the irreplaceable landscapes in San Diego County and the wildlife dependent on that landscape. We can save these unique, and increasingly vulnerable, natural ecosystems with the added bonus of recreational and educational opportunities for us. Please join in preserving the legacy and promoting environmental stewardship.

There are a variety of tax-deductible ways to assist in achieving the River Park legacy:

 Conservancy membership
 Stock Donations
 Donations through community foundations
 Bequests
 Donations to purchase specific properties
 Memorial Funds
 Employer Matching Donations
 Planned Estate Giving
 Participate in eScrip

For more information on Conservancy activities and how you can contribute to the River Park, please visit the Conservancy and the River Park Websites below, or contact the Conservancy office at: PO Box 89, Del Mar, CA 92014; phone 858.755.6956; FAX 858.356.4222 or by email below.

Email us
sdrvlc@pacbell.net

Links

San Dieguito River Conservancy
San Dieguito River Park