We're excited to share with you that our accreditation has been renewed! After a rigorous verification process by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, the national accrediting body for land trusts, San Diego Habitat Conservancy has proven that we continue to operate at the highest ethical, legal, financial, conservation, and stewardship standards to ensure lasting stewardship. There are over 450 accredited land trusts across the country, and we are proud to work with San Diego communities to protect the natural habitats we love.

In southern California, western burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea, BUOW) were once widespread and abundant. However, over the last several decades the BUOW has experienced declining populations due to habitat loss. In 2021, after more than 10 years of planning and collaboration by The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the SDHC-managed Ramona Grasslands Conservation Bank received 24 BUOW. In preparation for their arrival 26 artificial burrows were installed and brush piles were located across the preserve to encourage California ground squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi).  California ground squirrels create natural burrows that BUOW can modify for their nests. To date five nests fledged 30 chicks and we are hopeful the colony will return on its own to breed in 2022.  These are the first documented nesting BUOW in the Ramona area in more than 40 years. Check our webpage to see updated activities of this project as they evolve.

SDHC has continued its work with students from high schools and universities in an effort to provide hands on education in conservation managements and to directly benefit the habitat preserves. Interns assist habitat managers with habitat management activities in the field and performing administrative tasks, such as research and report preparation, as needed. In the past year, we have had a number of incredible interns that we want to recognize for their dedication and passion for habitat conservation!

 

 

 

SDHC began long-term management of the Glen Park Preserve in January 2021. This 13.27-acre Preserve is in close proximity to two other of our preserves and made up of two parcels surrounded by residential homes north of Mission Road and west of Twin Oaks Valley Road in the City of San Marcos.
 

The primary habitat type within the Preserve area is coastal sage scrub, with disturbed coastal sage scrub and a portion of Eucalyptus grove. This Preserve was set aside to provide habitat for three sensitive species: San Diego pocket mouse, Dulzura California pocket mouse, and San Diego desert woodrat. 

 

As the long-term manager, SDHC will perform biannual patrols to inspect for threats, conduct as needed invasive plant control, and outreach with the adjacent HOA to educate residents on the importance of the Preserve and prevent human encroachment.

This past June, SDHC initiated long-term management for the Daybreak Preserve in the City of Carlsbad. This 3.9-acre Preserve was set aside as mitigation for the Daybreak Community Church Project and is located immediately south of the church, south of Poinsettia Lane and west of Ambrosia Lane.

The Preserve area is made up of coastal sage scrub and chaparral habitats that recovered from the 2014 Poinsettia fire. This unique habitat has the supports a variety of sensitive animal species, including rufous-crowned sparrow and California gnatcatcher.

SDHC will work with the church to for additional monitoring and volunteer cleanups and weeding events as needed.

SDHC acquired the 32-acre Trust Property in Descanso in July 2021, made possible by a generous donation from a trust. This acquisition is the first of its kind for SDHC. Typically, SDHC acquires land via mitigation requirements for development projects that have specific restrictions on the land. The Trust Property in Descanso is land donated to SDHC for the sole use of fulfilling SDHC’s mission, opening up opportunities beyond land management, such as research, outreach and educational activities, restoration, and collecting native seeds for outplantings.

The Preserve boasts breathtaking views of rolling foothills, encompassed by coast live oak woodland and southern mixed chaparral habitat. Native plant species observed on site include ceanothus, wild cucumber, chaparral yucca, manazanita, paintbrush flower, chaparral beardtongue. The Preserve abuts the Cleveland National Forest and in close vicinity to Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. We look forward to what is next with this exciting new Preserve!

 

As the Acquisition Program Manager, Connie overseas the acquisition of new preserves and manages all stages of the acquisitions process, ensuring projects adhere to organizational policies and procedures. She researches and implements new acquisition opportunities, assesses whether projects align with the organization's mission and goals, conducts in depth due diligence on potential acquisition projects, drafts key project documents, and facilitates the closing process. Connie has over 15 years of experience, managing large-scale and complex natural resource projects from the ground up. Her diverse background includes working with the private sector, U.S. government, and international and domestic nonprofits in Washington, DC, Hawaii, and California. She has an M.S. in Natural Resources Management from the University of Hawaii, Manoa and received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego. Connie is originally from California and calls Carlsbad, California home. In her free time, she loves gardening, surfing, and wandering around local trails.

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.
 

 

Support SDHC when shopping at Rite Aid​

• Visit RXfunraising.com and complete the online form
• Each time you make a prescription refill, a portion of your purchase will automatically go towards a donation fund for SDHC
• No additional purchase necessary!

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!