National Wildlife Federation/ San Diego County

32nd Street Canyon Receives “Smart Growth Award”

Jul 10, 2008

A group of Golden Hill canyon activists and its environmental engineers received high praise from land-use and real estate development professionals last week. At its annual awards ceremony on June 26, 2008, the Urban Land Institute (ULI) honored the 32nd Street Canyon Restoration with a ?“Smart Growth Award?” in the ?“Grass Roots of the Neighborhood?” category. Fuscoe Engineering, who designed the new canyon entrance to accommodate and filter more water, nominated the restoration for recognition.

As a preeminent, multidisciplinary real estate forum, ULI facilitates the open exchange of ideas, information and experience among local, national and international industry leaders and policy makers dedicated to creating better places. The organization?’s recognition that San Diego canyon rejuvenation is critical to regional sustainability is profoundly important.



The 32nd Street Canyon Task Force aims to reverse canyon degradation. Their labors are proving that rebuilding native ecosystems improves energy conservation, soil stability, water and air quality and fire-fuel reduction. An equally important goal is to lessen negative urban impacts on nature. Education and volunteer events in the canyon put neighbors and children in touch with environmental priorities?…and with each other.



Fuscoe Engineering?’s guiding philosophy ?– that the way we interact with the land, water and sky will eventually come full circle ?– corresponds to the Canyon Task Force?’s actions. Fuscoe?’s involvement infuses bioengineering projects with top-quality expertise.



Many generous funders, partners, City staff and leaders, and open-hearted experts have contributed to projects in this canyon. In the last four years, two acres of flammable non-natives plants have been removed and over two thousand native plants have been planted. The 12-acre urban canyon, which feeds Chollas Creek and San Diego Bay , is becoming a community asset instead of a liability.


Contact: Tershia d'Elgin
Phone:619/239-6120