 Announcing the New Rose Creek Watershed Coordinator
I am pleased to welcome Kelly Makley to the position of Rose Creek Watershed Coordinator! San Diego EarthWorks, which has served as the Rose Creek Watershed project's fiscal sponsor since its inception, was awarded a three-year Watershed Coordinator grant by the California Department of Conservation. Kelly has been selected by a committee of Rose Creek Watershed Alliance members to fill this part-time position, and is tasked with helping to facilitate implementation of the Rose Creek Watershed Opportunities Assessment. This watershed plan consists of recommendations to improve the 36-square mile area that drains rainwater and runoff from MCAS Miramar to where Rose Creek meets Mission Bay at De Anza Cove. Kelly was formerly employed by the Port of San Diego as an Environmental Specialist for eight years. In her role at the Port, she managed programs concerning environmental education, public participation, water quality and sustainability. In her new role as the Rose Creek Watershed Coordinator, she will increase awareness of the watershed within the surrounding communities and instill an understanding of how its health impacts the ecosystem of Mission Bay. Kelly's tasks include implementing an outreach program to schoolchildren throughout the watershed, writing grants, and developing a long-term funding strategy to ensure continued protection and enhancement of the area. Kelly's currently working on grants that, if funded, will expand school-based nature outreach programs into Clairemont, near Marian Bear Memorial Park and into Pacific Beach near Mission Bay. Soon you will see changes to the project website and other enhancements that will help expand awareness and improvements to the Rose Creek Watershed. Kelly can be reached at kelly@rosecreekwatershed.org. Welcome, Kelly!
Ann Van Leer, Project Manager |
What is the Rose Creek
Watershed Alliance?
The Alliance is an informal organization of Rose Creek Watershed stakeholders that joined to help plan the future of the 23,000-acre Rose Creek Watershed. Members include Friends of Rose Creek, Friends of Mission Bay Marshes and the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition.
Within this watershed are many areas of ecological and recreational importance, such as Rose Canyon Natural Open Space Park, Marian Bear Memorial Park and the north end of Mission Bay Park. Not only do these parks supply critical habitat for threatened and endangered species, they also provide unique opportunities for San Diegans to enjoy and experience nature within their own neighborhood.
In 2005, the Alliance created a plan that would improve the watershed. The resulting document, titled the Rose Creek Watershed Opportunities Assessment, provides many recommendations to improve ecological and recreational opportunities throughout the area. The recommendations range from interpreting cultural resources and controlling invasive species to creating safe and legal railroad crossings and new trails, all with the goal of improving the watershed for future generations to enjoy.
Please consider joining the Alliance if you would like to help implement these projects to improve our watershed. Email kelly@rosecreekwatershed.org for more information.
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Watershed Outreach
Two grants are in development that will teach students and the public about the Rose Creek Watershed and how it affects our region. One grant involves a partnership with Friends of Rose Canyon and proposes to expand their excellent nature outreach to underserved schools throughout the watershed. Bayview Terrace Elementary, pictured here, is one of the schools in the watershed that could benefit from this project, if funded. The other project, in partnership with Friends of Rose Creek, intends to produce a Rose Creek Festival where Rose Creek meets Mission Bay in order to raise awareness throughout this community.
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Extension of the Rose Canyon Bicycle Path to Connect to the Mission Bay Bicycle Path
One of the goals of the Assessment was to create a continuous, safe, non-motorized trail from University City and Clairemont to Mission Bay so that watershed residents and visitors could ride, walk or stroller to the ocean without crossing a road. Currently there is a missing 2-mile segment of path in the lower watershed.
San Diego EarthWorks helped the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition get a $200,000 grant from the Coastal Conservancy to refine the early planning for this trail that was done in the Assessment and get the trail shovel ready to build. SANDAG has made a commitment to provide an additional $400,000 to help with the trail planning in this same corridor, which includes the Mid Coast Light Rail Extension Project. The path, once constructed, will become part of the 1,200-mile California Coastal Trail, proposed to extend the length of California through 15 counties. This additional trail planning work should begin by the end of 2011. Contact Ann Van Leer at ann@landconserve.com if you would like more information about this project, and click here to view a map of the project.
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Controlling Non-Native Invasive Plants
One of the largest threats to the watershed is the spread of invasive non-native plants. Invasive non-native plants choke out native plants, creating a fire and flood control hazard while reducing areas where native plants and animals can thrive. Examples of these in our watershed include Pampas Grass (pictured here) and Arundo. As recommended in the Assessment, a plan to control their spread throughout the watershed has been completed. The next step is to find the funds to begin the work. Ann Van Leer and Kelly are currently working with funders to develop a grant to implement this plan in 2012.
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Watershed Hydrology Study
The California State Coastal Conservancy provided funds to San Diego EarthWorks to complete a hydrology and hydraulics study of the watershed (as recommended in the Assessment). The purpose of the study is to provide data to help plan restoration projects to ensure the success of future projects. The study is essentially complete in draft form. The last outstanding task is to monitor sediment flows this winter through the rainy season, then add that resulting data to the report. The report will be completed in the spring of 2012. CBEC, the hydrology consultants who worked with San Diego EarthWorks and the Alliance to develop the study will present it at a conference. More information about the study is available on the project website.
Photo by Mark Woodworth.
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 Eagle Scout Project Completed in Marian Bear Park
As part of his Eagle Scout Project, Chris Zaleski completed a restoration of the plant identification markers in Marian Bear Park at the end of Limerick Avenue. Many of the posts that displayed the informational plaques were old and damaged, and Chris replaced them with new posts. He also cleared out overgrown plants around the posts to enhance their accessibility. Thanks for your contribution to our watershed, Chris!
If you know anyone that is looking for a similar project, they can contact Park Ranger Janice Lavallee at (858) 581-9961 or jlavallee@sandiego.gov to find one that can benefit our watershed. |
Featured Hiking Trail
The Rose Creek Watershed has some beautiful hiking opportunities just minutes away from the freeway. Rose Canyon Open Space Park is a great area to observe habitats that are unique to Southern California. Coastal sage scrub and chaparral cover the hills and fields, oak woodlands are found on the north-facing hillsides, and a rare riparian (river) habitat runs the length of the park. The trails are relatively flat and perfect for the whole family. Check out the map below to find a trailhead near you!
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The Rose Creek Watershed has a new presence on Facebook. Please become a fan today by clicking the link below to receive regular watershed updates.
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