Date:  Sunday, May 6, 2012
Time:  Nature walk begins promptly at 8:00 AM.  Please arrive at 7:45 AM.
Location:  Highland Valley Road at the Ramona Grasslands Preserve Trailhead (see directions in left column).

Wildlife Research Institute (WRI) is holding a Sunday Morning Nature Walk in the Ramona Grasslands. Learn from WRI experts about Botany, Geology, and Wildlife as you leisurely hike one of the last remnants of San Diego Grasslands. Remember to bring water, snacks, binoculars, and proper hiking attire.  The cost is free to WRI members (to become a member go to www.wildlife-research.org). Please RSVP to 760-789-3992 or wildliferesearchinstitute@gmail.com so we know how many guests to expect.

Date:  Saturday, May 12, 2012
Time:  9:00am - 10:15am
Location:  Dust Devil Nature Trail Staging Area (see directions in left column).

This walk will be led by a Park Ranger along the newly opened trail at the San Dieguito Lagoon. This trail offers new views and a great outlook of the southern end of the lagoon.  Topics will include the lagoon restoration project, plant/wildlife identification and updates on current Ranger projects.

Help maintain the Highland Valley Trail

Date:  Sunday, May 13, 2012
Time:  8:00am - 11:00am
Location:  Highland Valley Staging Area (see directions in left column).

Join Park Rangers for this trail maintenance event.  Work on clearing brush from trail and improving trail conditions!  Bring drinking water, sun protection and wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes.  Your time and energy will be appreciated.  Please RSVP to Leana@sdrp.org or (858) 674-2275 x14.

Enjoy the Piedras Pintadas Trail

Date:  Saturday, May 26, 2012
Time:  8:00am - 10:30am
Location:  Bernardo Bay Staging Area (see directions in left column).

Hike through varied terrain to a great view of a waterfall.  Learn about the natural history of the region and enjoy the beauty of the area.  Please RSVP to Leana@sdrp.org or (858) 674-2275 x14.

The San Dieguito River Park is a Success Story

What began as a small group of concerned citizens gathered around kitchen tables in Del Mar and Solana Beach in 1986 discussing how they might protect the San Dieguito Lagoon from impending development, grew into a vision for a San Dieguito River Park.

Two volunteer organizations sprouted from that small group - the Friends of the San Dieguito River Valley and the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy - dedicated to preserving the lagoon and eventually the river corridor.  Recognizing the pastoral river valley as a treasure and an opportunity to preserve it, these community activists and politicians convinced local officials and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) to develop a plan for the western San Dieguito River Valley, which evolved into a vision for an open space river corridor - a 55-mile long open space park along the entire river valley from Del Mar to Volcan Mountain near Julian.

Using that momentum, a progressive move established a special purpose agency, the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority (JPA), to plan and implement the vision for the San Dieguito River Park.  The San Dieguito River Park's 94,000-acre Focused Planning Area (FPA), the view shed from the river, became the basis for that vision - to preserve, protect and interpret the natural and cultural resources of the San Dieguito River Valley.

Are you a San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy member?  If not, Join Us!  Visit us at www.SDRVC.org or call (858) 755-6956 today.
Conservancy members enjoy special benefits and the knowledge they are helping to secure the future of the San Dieguito River Park.
Conservancy Members...

• Support professional work to identify and purchase properties from willing sellers and grassroots fundraising campaigns to protect land in the River Park.
   
• Exclusive "Members-Only" Hikes, Events and Lectures.
   
• Help support the acceleration of the Coast to Crest Trail and side trails.
   
• Receive the Currents newsletters, which are full of educational, recreational, and practical information about the River Park and resources, such as trail maps.
   
• Volunteer opportunities - receive up-to-date information about a wide-range of volunteer opportunities for critical and rewarding projects like restoring native habitat and maintaining trails.
   
• Participate in Educational Programs like the Exploring Our Sense of Place seminar series along the San Dieguito River.
   

The Satisfaction of Creating a Lasting Legacy - Conservancy members say their best rewards are the satisfaction and pride that come from being part of an organization that makes a real difference - now and for future generations.

A view of Farmer Road from the Russell Homestead

In 2009, the 420-acre Russell Homestead on Volcan Mountain and part of the original 11,000 acre Rutherford Ranch, was subdivided and 20 legal parcels were placed on the open market for purchase and immediate development.  Hoping for years to preserve this land when it became available, our Conservancy knew that we needed to act quickly.  With a purchase price of $3,850,000, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) was willing to take the lead in the purchase, provided that there was strong local support.  Our Conservancy's willingness to provide $250,000 of our reserves at the close of a short escrow and to raise additional funds toward the purchase, along with the participation of the Volcan Mountain Foundation, and the County of San Diego, was instrumental in TNC's decision to purchase the land in December, 2009.

Over the next year, enthusiastic hikers enjoyed the many Conservancy sponsored tours of the property and were impressed by its beauty, critical location, valuable habitat, and importance for the integrity of the San Dieguito River Park.  Through the generosity of many, we raised an additional $131,000 in the midst of the recession for the purchase during our two year campaign.  In February, 2011, a $2,225,000 grant was authorized to allow the Department of Fish and Game to acquire the property as habitat from TNC, thereby partially covering the purchase cost. 

The transfer to Fish and Game has now been completed.  In addition to TNC's net contribution of $844,000, our Conservancy contributed $381,000 in our successful collaboration in preserving this land as open space.  We appreciate TNC's central role and we can all be very proud for achieving our goal.  We look forward to continuing our collaboration with our partners in future land acquisition for the San Dieguito River Park.

Brownie Troop 8907 takes action

This year, Brownies Troop 8907 second graders from Turtleback Elementary in Rancho Bernardo, aimed high and set their goal to sell 2,000 boxes!  The girls brainstormed ideas for "fun" and "service."  Through consensus, they decided on which goals to choose. They chose "planting trees" as their service goal. 

It's a two-part service goal since the girls were also looking for a project through which they could participate hands-on, rather than just donating money.  Each of the two prior years, the girls fulfilled their service goal by making generous financial donations to service organizations - "buying toys for poor children" (Polinksy Children's Center) and "helping poor children around the world" (Heifer International).

Troop 8907 surpassed their goal for cookie sales this year, by selling 2,325 boxes of cookies.  As a "service" goal, Troop 8907 is also making a $125 donation to the San Dieguito River Park to help with the cost of tree planting in the watershed.  To fulfill their goal of planting trees, the girls rolled up their sleeves on Saturday, April 28, to assist with restoration work at the San Dieguito Lagoon, planting native coastal sage scrub.  By helping to rehabilitate the native plant habitat at the San Dieguito Lagoon, the girls are continuing to connect with the watershed in which they reside, developing a greater appreciation of the connection between their neighborhood several miles to the east and the Pacific Ocean.

The Santa Ysabel Store is being brought back to life

In late 2011, the Save Our Heritage Organization (SOHO) purchased the 1884 Santa Ysabel General Store, one of San Diego backcountry's most recognized historic landmarks.  Located at 30275 Highway 78, the store is just across the street from the well-known Dudley's Bakery.  This iconic site is the most important building left of the original 19th century town of Santa Ysabel.  Fortunately, the town retains much of its early America feel, because it remains largely buffered by open space.

This historic landmark spent many of the last few years vacant, so one of the first orders of business is to clean and restore the building.  Many hours have already been spent cleaning and restoring the site, and the store is scheduled to be open in Fall 2012!  
The site will not only offer visitor information on surrounding public trails, recreation opportunities, and cultural heritage sites of the backcountry, but interpretative displays, historic photos, and will be a venue for special events. 

To accomplish this, SOHO has joined with several conservation organizations including the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy, Volcan Mountain Foundation, San Diego River Foundation, and the Wildlife Research Institute.

Stay tuned for the Grand Opening and how you can become involved!

TRAIL OF THE MONTH:  PIEDRAS PINTADAS (aka Lake Hodges South)

Enjoy mountain biking or hiking on the Piedras Pintadas Trail

Wouldn't it be great to find a place where you can combine some after-work, quality trail riding with a family outing, only 30 minutes from downtown San Diego?  Well, you're in luck!  The Piedras Pintadas section of the Coast-to-Crest Trail fills the bill.

Mountain bikers will know this area as Lake Hodges South, a mix of mostly single-track trails providing terrain for riders of all ability levels.  Your kids will be able to handle the beginner level trails as long as they know how to ride a bike.  Intermediate bikers can ride almost everything, and there are even a few technical sections for the advanced folks.

The Rancho Bernardo Community Park will be your base.  To get there, take the West Bernardo Drive/Pomerado Road exit off I-15 and turn left at the traffic light.  Proceed around Lake Hodges for approximately ¼ mile, then turn right on Rancho Bernardo Community Park Drive.  The center is on the left, across from the retirement home.

Rancho Bernardo Community Park has plenty to keep everyone happy while the cyclists are out doing their thing!  This recreation center and park has 38 acres with two play areas including a sandbox, eight ball fields, two outdoor basketball courts and, of course, restrooms. The amenities are great, but the real gem is the Piedras Pintadas Trail, a 3.8 mile loop of natural beauty and local history.

Five hundred years ago, the Kumeyaay Indians made regular stops here in their nomadic wanderings.  Interpretive signs along the trail provide fascinating insights into their culture and daily life (Hint: This will be invaluable when it comes time for your child's fourth grade Social Studies project).
 
Afterwards, everyone can share their adventures over a picnic, or head over to the North County Fair Mall area for one of the area's many eateries.  It's a weeknight your family will remember for a long time!

Jeanne Chick waters plants in the SDRP nursery

Jeanne Chick graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in geology. She remembers many a field trip where professors would humorously refer to vegetation as "the stuff that gets in the way of the rocks."  Since her involvement with the Park, she has found her interest growing in the "green stuff."  This has led her to attending several seminars about native plants.

Jeanne has been volunteering with the San Dieguito River Park for the past 5 years. She enjoys participating in the habitat restoration projects, trail maintenance and plant propagation.  She enjoys working with all the rangers, staff, other volunteers and the public.  "I now have been able to participate in a full cycle of habitat restoration: seed collecting, care of seedlings, and, finally, planting of our grown plants.  It's so much fun to see our 'babies' thrive in the restoration areas.

In my college studies, a 'pile of rocks' became an amazing story of geological history.  Now, with my involvement in the park, a 'bunch of weeds' has become a palette of rich biodiversity.  What a fantastic school!