The San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy has launched a public fundraising campaign to purchase the 353-acre Lake Sutherland East Property. This stunning property would link properties recently acquired by the Conservancy and the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority with City of San Diego owned land around Lake Sutherland.

Your year-end tax deductible donation would help us raise the $400,000 needed to add this resource-rich property to the River Park and as a link on the Coast-to-Crest Trail. Learn about Lake Sutherland East and how you can partner with us to secure this property.

Our Winter 2005 Activity Schedule for January, February and March is available. Take a look at it to find the hike or bike ride or horseback ride in the new year that appeals to you. Here are a few of the free activities you may be interested in:

Saturday, January 8 from 9-12, Horseback ride on Raptor Ridge - this ride will have breathtaking views!

Saturday January 22, 9 a.m. Fitness Hike in Clevenger Canyon.

Saturday January 30, 12:30-2:30, Bicycle with Ranger David Hekel.

Saturday, February 5 from 8 - 10 a.m. "Hike with the Hounds" - That's right, your leashed dogs are invited to the Park.

There are Trail Maintenance Work Parties on the second Sunday of each month, and Habitat Restoration Work Parties on the third Saturday of each month. See the workers in the photo above. (These are great ways to earn school service hours and scout badges!)

And don't forget, the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead is open for docent tours every Saturday and Sunday afternoon from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The San Dieguito River Park now has 22 miles of trails, and several more miles will open next year. We need new Volunteer Patrol members to hike, bike or ride the trails. Training for new Volunteer Patrol begins this spring. Registered volunteers will receive training on March 5th and 12th. Volunteer Patrols commit to come out to the Park once a month to walk or ride on the trails. The Volunteer Patrol increases the River Park's official presence on the trails. The Volunteer Patrol keep their eyes open for problem areas along the trail, assist the public, and identify and report concerns to the Park Rangers. If you are interested, please set aside March 5 and 12 in your calendars, and call Barbara Baker at 858 674- 2275 x 14 for more information and/or to register.

Volunteers are also needed for other jobs at the Park - so if you are interested in doing some occasional volunteer work, or in a more long-term commitment - there is something for you here.

Follow along the trail with Barbara and hike leader Mike Thacker as you learn about mistletoe in the Park. For example, did you know that mistletoe only grows on trees and not in the ground? This liberation from the earth made the Druids believe the mistletoe was sacred; it was considered bad luck to let any mistletoe touch the ground.

Trust for Public Land hosts celebration for 75-acre Boudreau acquisition. See the pictures here.

Scenes from Sikes Adobe benefit concert "Songs of the Settlers" projects/scenes from settlers concert.htm

Dieguito Discovery: Wonders in the Shadow of Volcan

"Did You Know?" A series of articles by Environmental Planner Shawna Anderson explores a variety of interesting topics. October's article is about the Arroyo Toad.

Many River Park supporters may not know that the River Park has converted from a print-based news distribution to an e-mail based distribution only. Therefore, please forward this e-mail to anyone you think would be interested. Then they can sign up for themselves if they wish to continue receiving the San Dieguito River Park's RiverScape newsletter. Thank you!