February
2015

 
We need your help!

In 2007, an amazing team of volunteers from the Del Mar Rotary Club and other River Park supporters laid the planks for the San Dieguito Lagoon Boardwalk. The Boardwalk has been a popular and valuable asset to the River Park, allowing people of all ages and abilities to get an up close experience with the Lagoon wetland environment and wildlife.

Now, Coastal Commission staff are recommending the boardwalk be REMOVED!

We do not want that to happen! The Boardwalk should remain and continue to serve the community, now and for years to come. Find out why here.



WE NEED YOUR HELP TO SAVE THE BOARDWALK!

Here is how:

Learn more about the Coastal Commission's recommendation and the Boardwalk. They will review the recommendation at their upcoming meeting on March 11-13.

Attend the meeting if you can -- we'll keep you updated about the exact date, time, and place.

Sign the petition letting the Coastal Commission know you want the Boardwalk to stay!

Email Charles Lester, Coastal Commission Executive Director, and Alex Llerandi, Coastal Commission Staff Member. Be sure to reference Permit #6-04-088-A12.

Share this with your friends!

Thank you for your continued support of the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy and the San Dieguito Lagoon Boardwalk Trail!

FEBRUARY EVENTS IN THE RIVER PARK 

 

Sundays, February   

1, 8, 15, 22    

10:30am - 3:30pm

North San Diego Certified

Farmers Market - 

Rain or Shine!

Sikes Adobe  

Historic Farmstead:

12655 Sunset Dr., Escondido

 

Saturdays, February

7, 14, 21

1:00 & 3:00pm 

Tea for Two or Tea for YOU!

Sikes Adobe  

Historic Farmstead:

12655 Sunset Dr., Escondido 

Reservations required

RSVP to: anne@sdrp.org 

$12/person 

 

Saturday, February 7

10:00am - 1:00pm

Winter Raptors of the  

Ramona Grasslands 

Meet at Highland Valley Ct. and Highland Valley Rd., Ramona 

Co-hosted by San Diego Audubon Society Members 

Jeff Lincer and Peter Thomas 

 

Sunday, February 8

8:00 - 11:00am

 Volunteer Trail Maintenance

Meet at

Bernardo Bay Natural Area

Hosted by San Dieguito

River Park Ranger David Hekel 

RSVP to leana@sdrp.org or (858) 674-2275 ext14 

 

Saturday, February 14

9:00 - 10:30am

Second Saturday Ranger-Led

Walk at San Dieguito Lagoon

Meet at the Dust Devil Nature Trail Staging Area 

1.7 miles, easy 

Hosted by San Dieguito

River Park Ranger Bryan Ward

 

Saturday, February 14

10:00am - 1:00pm

Canyoneers Hike to

Raptor Ridge Viewpoint

Meet at Old Coach Trail Staging Area "North" 

5 miles, moderate 

Hosted by SD Natural History

Museum Volunteers

 

Sunday, February 15

7:30 - 10:30am

California 10/20 Race

Starts at Del Mar Fairgrounds 

Join Team SDRVC! 

Register at www.cal1020.com 

 

Sunday, February 15

9:00am -12:00pm

Canyoneers Walk at

Gonzales Canyon

Meet at the Sword Way Trailhead 

4 miles, easy

Hosted by SD Natural History

Museum Volunteers  

 

Sunday, February 15

10:00am - 1:00pm

Kanaka Loop Trail Hike

Meet at the Farmer Rd. Staging Area, Santa Ysabel Open Space Preserve East 

7 miles, moderate

Hosted by San Diego County Parks Staff

 

Sunday, February 15

10:00 - 11:00am

Coastal Sage Scrub Plant Community Talk

Meet at Del Dios Highlands Preserve 

Hosted by San Diego  

County Rangers

 

Tuesday, February 17

3:00 - 8:00pm

Dine and Make a Difference!

Boudin SF Encinitas

296 North El Camino Real, Encinitas 

20% of sales benefits SDRVC

Print flyer here! 

 

Saturday, February 21

8:00 - 11:00am

Volunteer Habitat Restoration

Meet at Ysabel Creek Rd. Staging Area 

Hosted by San Dieguito

River Park Ranger Jake Gibbs 

RSVP to leana@sdrp.org or (858) 674-2275 ext14

 

Saturday, February 21

8:30 - 10:30pm

 San Dieguito Lagoon Bird Walk

Meet at the San Andres Dr. Interpretive Kiosk 

Hosted by Buena Vista Audubon Society Member John Haddock 

 

Saturday, February 21

9:00am - 12:00pm

Sky Island Trail Hike

Meet at the VMF Volcan Mountain Nature Center

22850 Volcan Rd., Julian 

1.5 miles, easy

Hosted by Volcan Mountain Foundation Education Coordinator Kathleen Beck

RSVP to VMFEducation@volcanmt.org 

 

Saturday, February 28

9:00am - 12:00pm

Geology Field Trip

Meet at Banner Store in Julian 

Hosted by Geologist Fred Jee and Volcan Mountain Foundation

RSVP to VMFEducation@VolcanMt.org 

Suggested donation: $10

 

Saturday, February 28

10:00 - 11:00am

The History of the Cuyamacas and What's Happening to the Oaks

Meet at the Farmer Rd. Staging Area, Santa Ysabel Open Space Preserve East 

Hosted by San Diego  

County Parks

 

Sunday, February 28

1:00pm

Citizen Science Monitoring Program - Herp Hike

Meet at the San Dieguito River Park Headquarters

18372 Sycamore Creek Rd., Escondido 

RSVP to jess@sdrvc.org 

 

 

 

For hikes, all mileages are approximate.

 

Please visit our website for more details and full events calendar.  

 

Join our Meetup group to learn more about upcoming hikes and events in the River Park. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

  

Your membership helps us to fulfill our mission to protect  the San Dieguito Watershed for generations to come.

 

SUPPORT NATURE SUPPORT THE RIVER PARK

 

For more information, please visit these websites:

 

www.sdrp.org 

 

www.sdrvc.org 

 

www.fsdrv.org 

 

 www.sdparks.org
Save These Dates:
Plein Air Art Gala                March 21st
Plein Air Art Exhibit    March 22-May 3
We're looking forward to this year's "Legacy of the Land" art sale and exhibition with the Plein-Air Painters of America!

from Plein-Air Painters of America website

Twenty Plein-Air painters will spend several days painting throughout the River Valley and watershed. From March 22nd through May 3rd, over 120 paintings documenting urban, rural, and ocean landscapes will be on display and for sale at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. There will also be an exhibit of Plein-Air paintings by master artists from private collections and museums.

Don't miss your first chance to see and purchase these works of art at the
Opening Gala on Saturday, March 21st. Jean Stern, author and director of the Irvine Museum, will give a lecture on art collecting, followed by complimentary hors d'oeuvres, dinner buffet, wine, and champagne.

Gala tickets are $100 each and can be purchased here.
 
A portion of the ticket and painting sales will benefit the Conservancy.

Volunteers needed for the Gala! Be the first to see this historical art show and plein air paintings of scenes from the San Dieguito River Valley. Contact Christy Hendrickson for more details at (858) 755-7967.



 

California 10/20 LAST CALL 
February 15th

The California 10/20 is in less than two weeks! Don't miss your chance to join this party and support the Conservancy! 

 

Run/walk the 10-mile course on February 15 through Del Mar, Solana Beach, and Encinitas and be entertained by 20 live bands along the way. Former Eagle Don Felder will perform at the finish line concert.  

 

We've been selected as a local non-profit partner and California 10/20 is donating $1,500 to the Del Mar River Path Extension project!

Register for Team SDRVC at http://www.cal1020.com.

 


Del Mar River Path Update

The Del Mar River Path Project is moving forward! Plant and wildlife studies have been completed and the design is being finalized.

Find out more about the project here. We are also accepting donations to match the $150,000 grant the Conservancy was awarded by the County. If you would like to donate, please click here. 
Tea for Two or Tea for YOU!
at Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead
February 7, 14, 21


Join us for the Fifth Annual Valentine's Day Teas at the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead! 

Tea will be served on three consecutive Saturdays, February 7th, 14th and 21st, at 1:00pm. and again at 3:00pm.

Seating is limited, so make your reservations now!
(No walk-ins, please.) Reserve your tickets by sending an email to anne@sdrp.org.

The cost is $12.00 per person and includes tea, a plate of treats and goodies, and a tour of the 1880s farmhouse.

All proceeds benefit the Sikes Adobe.

Dine & Donate at Boudin Bakery!
February 17th



Get some clam chowder in a bread bowl or a sandwich on freshly-baked bread on February 17 at Boudin Bakery in Encinitas! They'll donate 20% of sales to the Conservancy from 3:00pm - 8:00pm if you bring in this flyer. 

Bernardo Bay Trail Management

by Leana Bulay, Interpretive Ranger  

 

In November 2014, the San Dieguito River Park rangers began a Trail Management Project at the Bernardo Bay Natural Area (south side of Lake Hodges in Rancho Bernardo) that is still in progress. This project includes new fencing, signage, and native plants to help define the officially designated and open to the public trails as shown on our Piedras Pintadas and Bernardo Bay Trails map.

 

This project is important in order to manage these lands in a way that protects sensitive habitat, endangered wildlife, and cultural resources in the area. We want a sustainable trail system that supports this objective.   

 

Only 5% of Coastal Sage Scrub habitat remains in southern California and it's very important to endangered species. The habitat is still suffering from the impact of the 2007 wildfires and 3-4 years of drought. There is a lot of pressure on the habitat from the proximity of neighborhoods, roads, and freeways.  

 

We hope trail users understand why we are conducting this project and help us by being an advocate of this project.

 

Please direct any questions to our Resources and Trails Manager at jason@sdrp.org. 

 


Newest Citizen Scientists from
High Tech Elementary North County

by Jess Norton, Conservation Manager 

 

The Conservancy and River Park welcomed our newest (and youngest) citizen scientist recruits from High Tech Elementary in San Marcos this past month at Lake Hodges!  

 

 

 

 

Ms. Shelley Glenn Lee and her 5th grade class joined staff from the Conservancy, River Park, and North American Field Herping Association for a hands-on field day where they conducted plant transect surveys, tracked mammals, and went on a herp hunt to find reptiles and amphibians in the River Park.   

 

 

 

 

Now that they have been trained in survey protocol, use of equipment (e.g., GPS units and camera traps), and how to collect and record data, we're going to put these young scientists to work! Ms. Lee and her class are currently reviewing camera trap photos and collecting wildlife data for the River Park.  

 

 

 

 

But that's not all - this next generation of scientists will be conducting a personalized conservation project of their choosing and creating a piece of art based on a local animal. We'll keep you posted on their findings and share some of their artwork on our website and Facebook page.

all photos by Shelley Glenn Lee
Two Rare Song Birds
by Jason Lopez, Resources and Trails Manager

Coastal Cactus Wren

There are two important song birds that live, year round, along the Coast to Crest Trail. They live and breed just off trail in the sparsely vegetated south facing slopes of Bernardo Mountain, which is located on the North Shore of Lake Hodges. One species has proven to be resilient and the other fragile.

 

Coastal Cactus Wren and California Gnatcatcher have been formally studied at Bernardo Mountain since 1981. A current survey of the birds revealed a disturbing downward trend in the cactus wren population. The population decline has been exacerbated by the 2007 Witch Creek Fire and several years of drought. A new fire would be devastating and could result in the loss of the entire population. More study is needed, but there may only be 6-8 birds remaining in the entire Lake Hodges area.

 

read more on the San Dieguito River Park blog 


photo by Ken Weaver

Calling Student Artists!
Cougars, American black bears, and California gnatcatchers are just some of the endangered or threatened species that live in the River Valley. Here's a chance for K-12 students to learn more about them (or any other endangered species) and create artwork for the Saving Endangered Species Youth Art Contest! Get all the information here. 
If your child enters and depicts a River Valley inhabitant, we'd love to see the artwork! Share on our Facebook page!  

Yoga on the Beach Reminder
Due to the California 10/20 race on February 15th, there will be no Coastal Walk and Yoga on the Beach this month. Join us next month on Sunday, March 15th!
 
 
January Exec Trek Photos!
Happy hikers on January's Exec Trek! We had a great time exploring the Highland Valley Trail -- stay tuned for the next Trek!

photo by Brad Bartlett
photo by Julie Hocking
photo by Julie Hocking
photo by Brad Bartlett
Executive Director Report
At its meeting on January 21, 2015, the Conservancy Board of Directors:
  • Approved an Agreement with the City of Del Mar setting forth conditions of the Del Mar River Path Project.
  • Affirmed its position to support the River Park's permit application to the Coastal Commission to keep the boardwalk as a permanent facility at the San Dieguito Lagoon.