Many people know of the San Diego River Park Foundation for their work to reduce trash and other pollution in San Diego’s namesake river. Others know this nonprofit for their many years of bringing hands-on nature learning experiences to students, stewardship of the Point Loma Native Plant Garden or efforts to champion the creation of a 52-mile-long public river park and trail system. Since 2001, this local nonprofit has championed the San Diego River and thousands of San Diegans have participated in one of their many programs.
But you may not have heard of their dedicated and ongoing efforts to conserve imperiled local wildlife. With rapid changes to our climate, there is strong sense of urgency.
The San Diego River Park Foundation has taken the lead to identify privately owned lands in the upper reaches of the river’s ecosystem which are currently undeveloped and providing wild places for wildlife to thrive. This large area stretches from Santa Ysabel to Descanso. Their staff and volunteers conduct research to isolate the most important properties, and then they act. Sometimes this is working with a landowner to purchase their property at fair market value or to accept the donation of the land.
Through dozens of transactions, more than 2,600 acres of at-risk open space has now been permanently conserved by the organization. This means that wildlife will forever have wild places to live. Some of these places like El Cajon Mountain and Lillian Hill are known by many, but most are relatively unknown like Eagle Peak Ranch and the South Rim.
But the work does not stop there. Research continues on these properties to care for the land. When necessary, volunteers are organized and guided to heal damaged areas and restore these natural treasures, the results are profound. As one of the founders and the President & CEO of the organization, I have been fortunate to experience a golden eagle flying over me as I visited a conserved property, wild trout swimming in a restored creek, and seeing cougar cubs grow up on our wildlife camera network. It is inspiring to see what people can do when they act together.
The biological diversity of the Upper San Diego River ecosystem is a very special part of San Diego. Animals such as cougars, ringtails, American badgers, bobcats and gray foxes are found here, as are majestic Engelmann oaks and an incredible range of flowering plants and other species. From the newts to the toads, the pond turtles to butterflies, this is a very special place indeed.
The San Diego River Park Foundation is fueled by the generosity of people who give their time, talents, land and financial gifts to make this work possible. If you are interested in getting involved and joining in to take action, the organization would love to hear from you.
www.sandiegoriver.org
