Welcome to another edition of Habitat Happenings, a newsletter provided by
San Diego Habitat Conservancy (SDHC).
Wow, have we been busy! Here are just a few of the highlights from the past few months:
+ Now managing 24 preserves (that's 1,270 acres!) after recently adding 6 more preserves to our portfolio.
+ Authorized by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to hold and manage mitigation lands in both the South Coast and Inland Deserts regions.
+ After 5 years with SDHC, Sarah is now our Senior Conservation Manager.
+ Hosted our first Conserve with Wine night at Carruth Winery in Solana Beach and will host our second Conserve with Wine night Wednesday, February 28th at Carruth Winery in Carlsbad.
Sarah attended the Land Trust Alliance Rally in Denver where she visited a 25,000-acre
preserve showcasing the success of a holistic approach to grazing.
UPCOMING EVENT
SAN DIEGO HABITAT CONSERVANCY’S
CONSERVE WITH WINE
SOCIAL HOUR
WE’VE PLANNED YOUR DATE NIGHT SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO!
JOIN US ON FEBRUARY 28, 2018
5:00 – 7:30 P.M.
CARRUTH CELLARS URBAN WINERY & TASTING ROOM
CARLSBAD VILLAGE
2727 STATE STREET, #110
CARLSBAD, CA 92008
Join us for wine, friendship, and to learn about our preserves!
Stop by anytime for a glass of wine between 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. to mix and mingle with SDHC staff, Board members and supporters!The night will be an opportunity to forge new partnerships as we work together to protect and enhance natural resources while accommodating smart-growth.
Once you’ve had a glass of wine (or two – all proceeds support SDHC!), check out some of Carlsbad hottest restaurants!
+ Campfire: Buzzy indoor/outdoor locale serving wood-fired American fare & cocktails amid camping decor. A must-have is the roasted broccoli (yes, broccoli)! Campfire is conveniently located next door to Carruth Carlsbad so no need to find a second parking spot.
+ Oak & Elixir: Or, just walk two blocks away and continue sipping wine. Enjoy a relaxing atmosphere, good food, and a knowledgeable wine team.
+ Las Olas: A SoCal evening is not complete without fish tacos! Part of a longtime small chain of Mexican spots, the menu at Las Olas features fish tacos & healthy options.
+ The Land & Water Company: Another must…sushi, cocktails, and more! Land & Water is an Asian restaurant with a local, sustainable bent offering a seasonal menu in a historical house.
NEW PRESERVES
Sierra Ridge Preserve
After more than 12 years of planning and negotiating, SDHC began managing the 36.2-acre Sierra Ridge Preserve in the City of Oceanside in October 2017. The preserve was set aside as mitigation for development of the Sierra Ridge residential development. As part of a five-year restoration effort, a 0.23-acre portion of the site was restored from disturbed habitat dominated by non-native species to high quality wetland habitat, a native habitat type critical to the survival of many sensitive species. The site is primarily composed of coastal sage scrub and restored wetland. Several sensitive species can be found on-site, including thread-leaved brodiaea and coastal California gnatcatcher.
Laurel Tree Lane Preserve
This is another preserve that SDHC has been waiting a long time to manage! After starting negotiations in 2006 and waiting for completion of a restoration effort, SDHC began managing the 8-acre Laurel Tree Lane Preserve in the City of Carlsbad in December 2017. The preserve was set aside as mitigation for construction of the adjacent business park. The site is primarily composed of southern cottonwood-willow riparian forest, Diegan coastal sage scrub, and southern mixed chaparral. Although the preserve is closed to the public, it is adjacent to a public pedestrian trail which is part of the City of Carlsbad's trail network. Also worth noting is that this preserve is located just to the north of Emerald Pointe Preserve which SDHC owns and manages.
Ramona Grasslands Conservation Bank
In December 2017, SDHC began managing the 210.43-acre Ramona Grasslands Conservation Bank located in the community of Ramona in unincorporated San Diego County. The bank was established by Judd RR Investments and Kearny PCCP Otay 311 to provide for the sale of credits to offset impacts to grassland and vernal pool habitats. Grazing, which has historically occurred on-site, will continue to play an integral part in long-term management. The site is primarily composed of non-native grassland with small areas of vernal pools. Thus far, a total of 17 sensitive species have been documented on-site, including burrowing owl (pictured above), ferruginous hawk, graceful tarplant, and San Diego fairy shrimp.
In January 2018, SDHC began managing the 25.1-acre Otay Crossings Preserve in the community of Otay Mesa in unincorporated San Diego County. The preserve was set aside as on-site mitigation for the Otay Crossings Commerce Park with is currently under construction. The site is primarily composed of non-native grassland and Diegan coastal sage scrub and so far, a total of 17 sensitive species have been documented on-site, including golden eagle (pictured above), burrowing owl, Quino checkerspot butterfly, and Otay tarplant. Duties will include surveys for Quino checkerspot butterfly and fairy shrimp, rare plant surveys, and regular monitoring visits.
Tule Wind Mitigation 160-Acre Open Space Preservation Parcel
In February 2018, SDHC began managing the 160-acre Tule Wind Mitigation 160-Acre Open Space Preservation Parcel in the McCain Valley area of southeastern San Diego County. This is the northernmost parcel of four contiguous parcels which SDHC will eventually manage, referred to as the Tule Wind Upper 600 Mitigation Site. The preserve was set aside as mitigation for the Tule Wind project which includes wind turbines, a transmission line, access roads, and associated facilities. The site is primarily composed of upper Sonoran subshrub scrub, scrub oak chaparral, semi-desert chaparral, redshank chaparral, and open coast live oak woodland. A total of 7 sensitive plant species have been documented onsite and golden eagles have been documented in the area. SDHC will delay management of a 40-acre portion of the preserve undergoing revegetation for the sensitive Jacumba milkvetch until such revegetation is completed, likely in fall 2021.
Lonestar Ridge Preserve
In December 2017, SDHC signed a contract to manage the 82.0-acre Lonestar Ridge Preserve in the northern portion of Otay Mesa within the City of San Diego. The preserve was set aside as off-site mitigation for the Otay Crossings Commerce Park. SDHC will begin managing the preserve after a 5-year mitigation and monitoring program is completed. Restoration will include creation of vernal pools; enhancing upland habitat for Quino checkerspot butterfly through seeding and installation of plants; and enhancing the site for burrowing owl through the creation of 2 berms, installation of approximately 20 burrows, and mowing and dethatching of the non-native grassland habitat. A total of 13 sensitive species have already been documented on-site, including burrowing owl, San Diego button-celery, and Quino checkerspot butterfly. SDHC will visit the site annually prior to taking over long-term management in late 2022/early 2023. This preserve is located just to the west of SDHC's Lonestar Mitigation Preserve, creating a contiguous corridor of preserved habitat.
KEY CONSERVATION
Local biologists at Key Conservation are developing a mobile app that will allow conservationists to gain global support, funding, and direct communications about urgent day-to-day needs happening in real-time. The app will update live as needs from conservationists occur globally.
The Key Conservation mobile app will provide 3 ways for conservation projects to receive critical funding and increased global support and 3 ways for supporters to give it.
1. DONATE: Supporters can give vital funds to a conservation project to help with immediate or long-term needs.
2. SKILLED IMPACT: Supporters can donate their professional skills to help conservation projects.
3. IN-PERSON: Supporters can be alerted to real-time volunteer opportunities in their area through geo-based push notifications.
The app is currently in development. Key Conservation is looking to raise additional funding and connect with individuals and/or organizations who are interested in being a pilot project and who want to be part of an innovative conservation solution that has the potential to make an impact on a global scale. Learn more by watching the video below and checking out the Key Conservation website at https://www.keyconservation.org/
DONATE TO SDHC TODAY!
Our efforts to preserve native habitat and biodiversity in southern California can only be accomplished with the support of donations. As a dedicated supporter, you are helping to preserve those spaces that are unique to our region and you are helping to ensure that future generations may enjoy the same beauty that never ceases to astound and inspire us.
Please make your voice heard by donating today!
Go to www.sdhabitat.org to donate. Make a minimum $35 donation
and receive a lightweight SDHC t-shirt.
AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to SDHC.
Now your sales on Ebay (and other websites) can help support SDHC. Just click on the "Ebay for Charity" logo above to start donating a percentage of your sales directly to SDHC.
We are now enrolled in the Paypal Giving Fund! Donate through the link above and 100% of your donation will go directly to SDHC!
Eric Mondero, President Kenneth Little, Treasurer/CFO Trish Jones Mondero, Secretary Chelita Borbón
Dave Claycomb Joe Duffel
Inga Lintvedt Christina Schaefer
Don Scoles, Executive Director Sarah Krejca, Senior Conservation Manager Kathy Tonsgard, Accountant Mary Applon, Bookkeeper Volunteer at SDHC Join us! SDHC has volunteer opportunities in a variety of areas!
See our website for details.
