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One of the major goals of the San Dieguito River Park is to establish a continuous open space corridor throughout the length of the Park that preserves natural habitats, protects linkages for wildlife movement, and provides compatible areas for recreational opportunities.

In This Issue
White-tailed Kites
Coastal Cleanup
Grandparent Day
River Valley Fest
Volunteers Needs
Docent Training
High Salinity
Trail of the Month
Ranger Led Hikes
Brian Ward
Volunteer Voice
Until Next Time

RIVER PARK EVENTS  

 Here is a link to the San Dieguito River Park Activity Calendar.     

 

Quick Links...
DIRECTIONS
  Bernardo Bay Natural Area: (for access to East Lake Hodges Trails and the Ribbon Bridge)Take I-15 to the West Bernardo Dr./Pomerado Rd. exit. Turn left onto West Bernardo Dr. Within a half mile you will come to the parking area on the right side of the road.(click here for map)

Highland Valley Trail Staging Area:

From I-15 head east on Pomerado Road about 1/4 mile.  Turn left onto Highland Valley Drive and then within about 300 feet turn right into the parking area. (click here for a map).  

 

San Andres Kiosk: (for east end Lagoon Trail access)  End of San Andres Drive in Del Mar, off Via de la Valle, behind the Albertsons Shopping Center. (click here for a map).  


Sunset Staging Area:

(access for Ribbon Bridge, Sikes Adobe, Mule Hill Trail, North Shore Trail, Bernardo Mountain)  

Begin North Shore Trail and Mule Hill Trail here.   

Directions: Take I-15 to Via Rancho Parkway exit, and at the exit ramp turn right at the light. Go to the light at Sunset Drive (less than a 1/4 mile) and turn right onto Sunset Drive. North County Fair Mall is on the left side of the road. This is a cul-de-sac with plenty of parking in the gated staging/parking area on the left side of the street, or along the street and in the lot at the end of the cul-de-sac. (click here for a map)
DOWNLOAD
.PDF TRAIL MAPS
FROM THE
LINKS BELOW:

THE WHITE-TAILED KITES OF LAKE HODGES
White-tailed Kite

White-tailed Kite


Saturday, September 17, 2011
2:30 pm -4:00 pm
The San Dieguito River Park invites you to attend a free lecture on the White-tailed Kites living around Lake Hodges.

Robert Harrington, a retired electronics engineer who took up photography specializing in birds will be giving the presentation. He has won several awards and had a number of his photographs published in Outdoor California magazine and other publications.

Please contact [email protected] or (858) 674-2275x14 to reserve a space.  This indoor event will be held at Rancho Bernardo Glassman Recreation Center's main building. 18448 West Bernardo Drive, San Diego CA 92127
CALIFORNIA COASTAL CLEANUP DAY
California Coastal Cleanup
Saturday, September 17, 2011
9:00 am-12:00 pm

In 2010 California Coastal Cleanup Day had over 100,000 volunteers, covered almost 3,000 miles and collected over a million pounds of trash.  Nineteen percent of all the trash collected was cigarette butts; enough to fill 100 Olympic size swimming pools.  The purpose of this event is to educate the general public of the impact of trash on the marine environment.

Almost 80% of all trash found at the coast comes from inland sources. This annual event also helps to promote statistics of the types and amount of trash collected to assist in change of environmental policies, such as plastic bags and balloon laws. If interested in volunteering for this event go to www.CleanUpDay.org to reserve a spot. The San Dieguito Lagoon site will fill up fast.
GRANDPARENT DAY AT THE SIKES ADOBE

Sunday,  September 11, 2011
3:00 pm-5:00 pm

Come celebrate Grandparent's Day with a celebration candle making workshop. Archive Candles and Soaps will direct the workshop and all materials and knowledge will be provided.

Workshop participation cost only $5.00. Please reserve by September 8, 2011 by calling (760) 432-8318 or email [email protected] . The celebration will be held at the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead, located at 12655 Sunset Drive, Escondido, CA 92025
The 2nd Annual River Valley Fest (from SDRVC site or ideas?)

2nd ANNUAL RIVER VALLEY FEST

Auctioneer a the 2010 Riverfest.

Auctioneer at the 2010 Riverfest.


Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011  

3:30 pm - Sunset
Tennis Round Robin: 2:00pm - 4:15pm

Come Celebrate 25 Years of Progress & Preservation!
Join the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy for a fun-filled afternoon of great food and wine, lively music and tennis at the beautiful Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa in Rancho Santa Fe this September!  The 2nd Annual River Valley Fest on September 25th, 2011 celebrates 25 years of progress implementing and preserving the expansive San Dieguito River Park, and protecting San Diego's natural legacy.

Location: Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, Rancho Santa Fe
Tickets: $100 per person, and $135 per person for tennis round robin participants
Purchase tickets at sdrvc.org/rivervalleyfest or by calling (858) 755-6956 by September 20th

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Expand your knowledge of the Park with our Rangers, see behind the scenes locations, work outdoors and enjoy one of our most valuable resources.
JOIN US FOR ANY OR ALL OF THE VOLUNTEER PROJECTS BELOW:

DUST DEVILS
EVERY TUESDAY AND/OR FRIDAY MORNINGS
8:00 AM UNTIL NOON
Work with Park Rangers at the Coast or Inland locations on habitat restoration, trail maintenance and much more. 

Trail Maintenance opportunitiesMONTHLY WORK PROJECTS:
TRAIL MAINTENANCE
SECOND SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH
Sunday, September 11.
8:00-11:00 am

HABITAT RESTORATION
THIRD SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH
Saturday, September 17th.
8:00-11:00 am

ON-GOING PROGRAMS:
Training available for docent opportunities throughout the Park, Trail Patrol, and educational outreach activities.
Please call (858)674-2275 x 14 and leave your name and phone number or email [email protected]. Please indicate which project(s) and dates you are interested in.
SIKES DOCENT TRAINING
Sikes Docent Training

Sikes Docent Training


September 12, 2011
9:00 am-11:00 am
and
September 17, 2011
10:00 am-12:00 pm

Docent trainees will learn about the architectural history of the house, the history of the Sikes family, and the agricultural history of the late 1800's. They also learn tips and techniques for being a docent, and theory of interpretation.

In return, trainees commit to leading docent tours for the public. Docents help convey what the pioneer farm experience in Southern California was like, using the Sikes Adobe Farmhouse as the stage. In addition, we are looking for folks who have particular skills or are willing to learn those skills. The skills we have in mind include: Carpenters, Quilters, Gardeners, Bakers, Brick-layers, Embroiderers, Musicians, Farmers, Artists and Ropers!

If you are interested in attending please call the Sikes Adobe at (760) 432-8318 or email [email protected] to reserve your place.All training sessions for new docents will be held at the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead, located at 12655 Sunset Drive, Escondido, CA 92025

 

SIKES LEADERS WANTED

Historic Sikes Adobe

Historic Sikes Adobe

If you are interested in local history, are great at networking AND/OR have experience in forming a non-profit organization, the San Dieguito River Park's Sikes Adobe needs YOU!
This is an opportunity to make a real difference in San Diego's North County.  The River Park is looking for a core of people who would make history by forming a non-profit support group for the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead.  We will create our group from the ground up, just as the Sikes Adobe was rebuilt after the 2007 Witch Creek fire.  If interested, please contact Sikes Adobe Museum Manager, Anne Cooper, at (760) 432-8318 or send an email to [email protected].  For additional information about the Sikes Adobe, please visit our website, www.sdrp.org.
PLANTING IN HIGH SALINITY SOIL
Planting in high salinity soil.

Planting in high salinity soil.

El Camino Real - Planting in High Salinity Soil.

An experiment was designed, by Park Rangers with the help of key Coastal Commission Ecologists, to determine the most successful planting method for growing native plants in high salinity soil at the San Dieguito Lagoon.

In July of this year, Rangers, volunteers and local students planted 157 1 gallon containers. Eight coastal sage scrub species were planted. Four different planting pallettes with four different planting methods were used and replicated two times each with different variables. A total of twenty-one plots (16' x 16') with each plot consisting of nine plants were installed. The plants within each plot were installed four-feet apart on center from each other. All variables of water, sunlight and weed control remain the same for each plot.

Monthly monitoring measures the maximum height, stems per plant and percentage green to percentage brown. Recording of pre-planting plant conditions including mean and median height per species and overall health and quality of each plant species was collected. The final results will be reviewed at 12 months with possible 3 year project completion. 
TRAIL OF THE MONTH:  DEL DIOS GORGE
By: Ranger Jake Gibbs.

Lake Hodges Dam

The Lake Hodges Dam as seen from the Del Dios Gorge trail.

The Del Dios Gorge Trail is unique in its own right, and offers trail users an enjoyable experience through both riparian and chaparral landscape.  While on this trail, you get up close views of the Lake Hodges Dam and glimpses of the old Flume that once delivered water to the San Dieguito Reservoir. 

Though this trail may not be as rural as others within the River Park, it takes you back in time through an area that was once home to the Kumeyaay Indian Territory and significant archeological excavations.  So while you're out on this hidden gem of the park, step away from the humming and droning sounds of vehicle traffic and back to a time of peaceful tranquility in an otherwise busy lifestyle.

Click here for a Del Dios Gorge Trail Map.

RANGER LED HIKES

Come join the Rangers of the San Dieguito River Park on guided hikes throughout the Park.

Walk and Talk with a Ranger

Walk and Talk with a Ranger

With a Ranger at the San Dieguito Lagoon.
Second Saturday of every month 9:00 am-10:30 am

This monthly walk will be led by a Park Ranger along the San Dieguito Lagoon. Topics such as the restoration project, water quality and wildlife of the lagoon will be covered.
(Meet at the interpretive kiosk at San Dieguito Lagoon: South of Via de la Valle at the end of San Andres Drive in Del Mar, behind the Albertson's Shopping Center).

Bowden Canyon

Bowden Canyon as seen from the top end of the Clevenger Canyon South trail.


South Clevenger Canyon
Saturday, October 8, 2011
8:00 am-12:00 pm


This moderate to strenuous hike will be lead by Ranger Jake Gibbs up South Clevenger Canyon. Witness amazing views and learn more about the San Pasqual Valley.
(South Clevenger Canyon trailhead off Hwy 78 on your right hand side when headed East to Ramona).  Click here for a trail map.


Hike the Santa Fe Valley Trail

Hike the Santa Fe Valley Trail

Santa Fe Valley Trail  

Sunday, November 13, 2011
1:00 pm-4:00 pm

Join Interpretive Ranger Leana Bulay on a hike through Santa Fe Valley.  This walk will be focused on the natural history of the area.
(Off Del Dios Highway, trail head at the base of the hill just after the Lemon Twist fruit stand if headed east to Escondido).  Click here for a trail map.

 

New Ranger Brian Ward

Brian Ward

WELCOME BRYAN WARD

The San Dieguito River Park has a new Ranger, Bryan Ward.  He has a degree in Environmental Chemistry from UC San Diego and a passion for environmental conservation and sustainability.  At UC San Diego, he was involved in an environmental student organization that volunteered with the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy in Crest Canyon and the San Dieguito Lagoon. In the fall of 2008, he interned in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and in 2009 in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Brian was hired by San Dieguito River Park in August 2010 as a temporary Ranger and because to his hard work and dedication to the Park was offered a permanent Ranger position in July 2011.

 

VOLUNTEER VOICE

Steve Scarano

Steve Scarano

Steve Scarano has been with the San Dieguito River Park for seven years as a Trail Patroller and Dust Devil. He is a father of 5 and grandfather of 6. He is a past Eagle Scout, Marine Corps Artillery Officer and Captain of a municipal police force for 30 years. Other then volunteering for the River Park he is a Facilitator for "Adventure-Based" corporate teambuilding and a Trail Angel on the Pacific Crest Trail. 

In Steve Scarano's words:
"Although I enjoy a couple of Friday mornings each month as a "Dust Devil" at the Del Mar portion of our Park, doing habitat restoration and new trail building, I look forward to hiking as a Trail Patroller there and in the San Pasqual Valley sectors.  I report trail conditions and visitation to Park staff, so that remediation's and enhancements can be considered.  I like being outdoors and physically active while providing meaningful service. 

Occasionally I am called upon to challenge my strategic verbal skills of persuasion when contacting the few visitors who are not compliant with park regulations requiring their dogs to be leashed or to not stray in off-limit areas, for example.  I like providing hikers with information about possible destinations, and answering questions from what I know about plants or animals, and assisting rangers with youth-oriented programs.

One time I walked around the blind corner of a trail and into a group of older bicyclists, just as the dust from their crash was clearing.  They couldn't believe that the Park was already on the scene to render first aid from the gear we carry."

 

UNTIL NEXT TIME

Editor Leana Bulay

Riverscape Editor Leana Bulay



I'm the new Riverscape Editor.  All of us in the San Dieguito River Park office are working hard to improve your park and to make it available to you for recreation and education.  Please feel free to contact me with Riverscape comments or requests.