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Spring is in full bloom all across the River Park!
It's hard to believe it's May -- but then, we look back over the past four months and can't believe the year isn't even half over!
We've been busy with fundraising efforts like the San Diego International Wine Show, the just-released Coast to Crest Trail Ale (in collaboration with Pizza Port Solana Beach), and the Legacy of the Land Plein-Air Art Gala. We're also excited by a new opportunity to raise funds and awareness for the Coast to Crest Trail with REI. When we're not raising money, we're putting it to use all over the River Park to plan and promote our ongoing conservation, education, and recreation programs.
Students of all ages and from all over the county are getting more and more chances to explore the River Park, thanks to the new Watershed Explorers Program and other Citizen Science events. It's wonderful to see these kids out in nature -- learning about it, spending time in it, and loving it!
Of course, we're looking forward to an equally exciting summer, with even more events at the Birdwing Open Air Classroom and throughout the Park. But for now, we invite you to take a moment to sit back and enjoy this beautiful season. We hope to see you at the River Park soon!
Thank you for your continued support of the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy and the San Dieguito River Park!
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MAY EVENTS IN THE RIVER PARK
Sundays, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
10:30 am - 3:30 pm
North San Diego Certified Farmers Market - Rain or Shine!
Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead:
Friday, May 1
7:30 pm
Almost-Full Moon Hike
1.6 miles, easy
Hosted by San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy
Saturday, May 9
9:00 am - 10:30 am
Second Saturday Ranger-Led Walk at the San Dieguito Lagoon
1.7 miles, easy
Hosted by San Dieguito River Park Rangers
Saturday, May 9
9:00 am
Back Trails Hike
5 miles
Hosted by San Diego County Park Attendant Bill Augustus
Sunday, May 10
8:00 am - 11:00 am
Volunteer Trail Maintenance
Hosted by San Dieguito River Park Ranger David Hekel
Monday, May 11
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Lagoon Restoration Project Annual Report
Meet at Del Mar Powerhouse Community Center:
Hosed by California Coastal Commission Staff
Saturday, May 16
8:00 am - 11:00 am
Volunteer Habitat Restoration
Meet at Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead:
Hosted by San Dieguito River Park Rangers
Saturday, May 16
8:30 am
San Dieguito Lagoon Bird Walk
1 mile, easy
Co-hosted by Buena Vista Audubon Member John Haddock and San Dieguito River Park Rangers
Saturday, May 16
9:00 am -12:00 pm
Sky Island Trail Spring Wildflower Hike
Meet at VMF Volcan Mountain Nature Center:
1.5 miles, easy
Co-hosted by Volcan Mountain Foundation and State Parks Specialist Larry Hendrickson
Sunday, May 17
10:00 am
Yoga at the San Dieguito Lagoon
Co-hosted by San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy and Yoga Instructor Susan McCrea
Sunday, May 17
12:00 pm - 7:30 pm
16th Annual Scripps Ranch Community Fair
Scripps Ranch Community Park:
Come visit SDRP's booth on "Green Street" from 12 - 5 pm, then stay for a concert!
Saturday, May 23
10:00 am
The History of the Cuyamacas and What's Happening to the Oaks
Hosted by San Diego County Parks
Saturday, May 24
10:00 am
Volunteer Trail Service Projects at Santa Ysabel and Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserves
Call (760) 765-4098 for meeting locations
Hosted by San Diego County Parks
Saturday, May 30
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Canyoneers Walk at Volcan Mountain
5 miles, strenuous
Hosted by San Diego Natural History Museum Volunteers
Sunday, May 31
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Kanaka Loop Trail Hike
7 miles, moderate
Hosted by San Diego County Parks Staff
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Exploring Our Sense of Place Applications
Open for 2015-2016
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We're accepting applications for the 2015-2016 Exploring Our Sense of Place program! This popular program in the River Park sells out every year.
Exploring Our Sense of Place is a unique series of field seminars that allows participants to experience the River Park in all seasons, to follow its path from mountain to sea, to encounter plant, animal, and human inhabitants, and to connect to the River Valley with their hearts and minds.
It consists of a welcome reception, seven excursions guided by experts throughout the year, and special "reflection time."
After the final excursion, Explorers are asked to evaluate their experience -- the average response is 4.7 out of 5! Many past Explorers say that ESP is a life-changing experience.
Learn more and submit your application here.
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River Path Del Mar Making Progress
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The City of Del Mar presented the final design of the River Path Del Mar project to the San Dieguito River Park JPA Board at its meeting on Friday, March 20th. View it here.
The San Dieguito Lagoon Committee recommended approval of the design and started working on recommendations for other elements, including picnic tables, benches, signage, and fencing. Work on the trail is scheduled to start in October.
The total project cost is estimated to be $475,000. This cost includes project design, entitlements and easement acquisition, environmental review and mitigation, and construction.
Currently, 50% of this cost has been committed through grants, private donations, and city funds. The funding gap is approximately $222,000.
Find out more about the project here. We are also accepting donations to match the $150,000 grant. If you would like to donate, please click here.
Public Meeting (conditional use permit review):
Del Mar Planning Commission
Wednesday, May 13th at 6:00 pm
City Hall -- Communications Center:
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Legacy of the Land: Final Weekend!
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The Legacy of the Land Plein-Air Air Exhibition at California Center for the Arts, Escondido continues through this Sunday, May 3rd!
Don't miss this chance to view incredible works of River Park-inspired art from plein-air painters, rarely-seen works from private collections, and pieces by local students.
Thursday - Saturday: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Admission to the Museum is $8. Learn more here.
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REI Trails Campaign to Fund
Coast to Crest Trail |
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We are thrilled to announce that the Pamo Valley segment of the Coast to Crest Trail has been selected for REI's new trail funding campaign! It will be highlighted with other trail projects across the country, and we will receive up to $50,000 in funding!
We are so excited by the opportunity to work with REI to bring national recognition to the River Park -- stay tuned for more details!
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Coast to Crest Trail Ale: On Tap at
Pizza Port Solana Beach
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The limited-edition "Coast to Crest Trail Ale" is now on tap exclusively at Pizza Port Solana Beach and we have to say, it's delicious! Head Brewer Devon Randall outdid herself -- or maybe it was the locally-harvested (from the River Park) sagebrush used in the ale?
Pizza Port will donate a portion of the proceeds from Coast to Crest Trail Ale to the Conservancy, which will go towards further development of the Coast to Crest Trail.
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Stephanie Gannon and Devon Randall from Pizza Port sample the Coast to Crest Trail Ale with Conservation Manager Jessica Norton and River Park Ranger David Hekel
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Try it yourself and support the Coast to Crest Trail! After all, what's better than a cold, refreshing beer after a hike or bike ride in the River Park?
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Jess and Dave enjoying the Coast to Crest Trail Ale
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We are hard at work putting the final touches on the Conservancy's new website! Soon we'll unveil a whole new look.
The new site will look very different, but it will be more visually pleasing and easier to navigate. It represents months of hard work, and we can't wait to show it off!
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San Diego Foundation Grant
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We're honored and thrilled to receive an Opening the Outdoors grant for $53,500 from the San Diego Foundation for our Watershed Explorers Program. This will fund the purchase of a passenger van that will help ensure the program's success and ability to reach underserved students throughout San Diego County.
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by Ginni Kitchen, SDRP volunteer
A pair of ospreys built a nest on the western nesting platform near the San Dieguito Lagoon Boardwalk, and the first egg was laid around March 2nd. From then on, it was the male osprey's job to provide regular meals of fresh fish, while the female kept the eggs warm and safe. He often landed and ate his fill before taking the rest of the fish to Mom in the nest.
If Mom felt she was waiting too long for her next meal, she wasn't shy about telling the world with loud screeches.
A female osprey begins sitting on her eggs as soon as the first one is laid, so the eggs hatch in the sequence they were laid. Our first chick hatched on April 12th. I didn't know how many chicks there were for quite a while because the nesting platform is 25-30 feet tall, the nest is deep, and newly hatched chicks are tiny balls of fluff, only weighing about 2 ounces. But I knew they'd hatched when I saw Mom pulling off small bits of fish and gently lowering her head into the nest to feed her offspring. Finally, on April 27th, I got my first glimpse of the chicks -- two of them!
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| | Female osprey with chicks |
If food is scarce the oldest, strongest chick monopolizes it and younger chicks can starve. The San Dieguito Lagoon area has plenty of fish, and Dad is a good provider, so both our chicks should thrive. They stay in the nest about eight weeks before their first flight, and will stay in the area for quite a while after that. Hopefully I'll have good baby pictures for you next month, but why not visit the Lagoon Trail yourself? The nesting platform is near Jimmy Durante Blvd opposite the east end of the boardwalk. Take a pair of binoculars and enjoy watching these magnificent birds in person.
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Male osprey bringing dinner
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all photos by Ginni Kitchen
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Almost-Full Moon Hike
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May 1st
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Join us TONIGHT for a nighttime hike at Lake Hodges under the beautiful light of the (almost) full moon!
When: Friday, May 1st at 7:30 pm
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Annual Report: San Dieguito
Wetlands Restoration Project |
May 11th
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This public workshop will be conducted by California Coastal Commission staff and contract scientists to present the 2014 results of the 2014 Coastal Commission monitoring program for the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station Wetland Mitigation Project.
When: Monday, May 11th from 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm | |
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LIFE@ San Elijo Lecture:
The Future of Wetlands in Southern California
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May 15th
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Conservancy Executive Director Trish Boaz will join Doug Gibson, Executive Director and Principal Scientist for the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy, to present an informative discussion on the past, present, and future of coastal wetlands along the California coast and how the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy and the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy are working to help counteract the effects of infrastructure, climate change, and sea level rise through restoration, acquisition, education, and recreation.
This lecture is free and open to the public as part of the LIFE@ San Elijo program (Learning Is For Everyone). Parking is $1, or you can email lifesanelijo@gmail.com to join and receive a free Friday-only parking permit for the MiraCosta College Cardiff Campus.
When: Friday, May 15th at 1:00 pm More information about LIFE@ San Elijo spring events can be found here. | |
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Yoga at the San Dieguito Lagoon: New Time & Location!
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May 17th
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Our monthly coastal yoga session has a new time and meeting place! Bring your mat to the Birdwing Classroom at 10:00 am on the third Sunday each month for a relaxing all-levels yoga class taught by instructor Susan McCrea!
When: Sunday, May 17th at 10:00 am | |
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River Valley Fest
"Connecting Communities"
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October 11th
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Save the date for the 6th Annual River Valley Fest!
The Conservancy's biggest event of the year is happening at Morgan Run Club & Resort on Sunday, October 11th! Don't miss delicious desserts from Claire's on Cedros, live entertainment from guitarist Bill Fleming, and silent and live auctions led by auctioneer extraordinaire Steve Hamann!
More info on tickets and sponsorship options is available on our website.
When: Sunday, October 11th from 2:00 pm - Sunset
Where: Morgan Run Club & Resort
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Botany Survey with Keir Morse
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A small group of citizen scientists explored the Sycamore Creek area behind the River Park office with professional field botanist and photographer Keir Morse and identified 172 unique plant species! Keir then put together this illustrated list of every single one. Wow!
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| | Keir Morse in the field (photo by Julie Hocking) |
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More photos from the survey can be found on our Facebook page. |
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Chalice Unitarian Congregation
Volunteers in Del Dios Gorge
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Members of the Chalice Unitarian Congregation volunteered last month to help the Conservancy and Rincon Consultants remove non-native, invasive weeds from one of the habitat restoration sites within the Del Dios Gorge. They were awesome and came prepared with their own gloves, tools, & even a wagon!
Chalice Unitarian also collected donations from the members for the Conservancy and donated $275 for future restoration projects.
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KPBS LunchHour with Executive Director Trish
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Trish had a wonderful time speaking with everyone who came to the KPBS LunchHour last month! She shared a lot of information about the River Park and all it has to offer, as well as details about the Coast to Crest Trail and the plans for its completion.
photos by Michelle Mucha of KPBS |
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Exec Trek at Del Dios Gorge
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It was, as always, a beautiful day for a nice long hike through Del Dios Gorge! Trish and the happy hikers had a wonderful time observing the riparian habitat, the Lake Hodges Dam, and a number of birds gathering in and around the lake.
We'll announce the next Exec Trek soon!
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Lagoon Day 2015
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April 19th
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The Del Mar San Dieguito Lagoon Committee celebrated Lagoon Day last month with an interpretive hike along the Boardwalk Trail and a reception at the Del Mar Powerhouse, where attendees learned about the recreational, educational, and volunteer opportunities at the Lagoon and River Park.
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Steve Schroeter (Ecologist with UCSB and CA Coastal Commission), County Supervisor Dave Roberts, Cassie Carter, Jim Tucker (Chairman of Lagoon Committee), Jeff Barnouw (Lagoon Committee member)
photo by Jon Clark, via the Del Mar Times
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The Lagoon Committee was established by the City of Del Mar in 1974 by a group of concerned citizens who recognized that the time to prevent the Lagoon from further development would soon be upon them. Their efforts and those that followed have helped in restoring the remaining wetlands to the health we view today.
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Eagle Creek Travel Gear Beautifies Sikes Adobe
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Eagle Creek Travel Gear brought a crew to the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead, where they weeded the peach orchard and northwest field and sanded and stained the picket fence. The Farmstead looks wonderful now, thanks to their enthusiastic and hard work!
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Rotary Clubs Landscape at the Lagoon
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A huge THANK YOU to the Del Mar and Rancho Santa Fe Rotary Clubs, who brought over 20 members to the San Dieguito Lagoon last month to completes ome awesome landscaping on the trail along San Andres Drive.
Not only did they make trail look beautiful, each club made a donation of $500!
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San Diego International Wine Show
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Thousands attended the San Diego International Wine Show, held at the Del Mar Paddock, on April 25th and 26th. Guests explored private wineries from California and all over the world, engaged with wine lovers and experts, experienced special tastings and fine dining by local chefs, and enjoyed live entertainment and artwork by local artists. The Conservancy was selected as the charity for this year's Wine Show, receiving $5,000 for its conservation, education, and recreation programs.
A special thank you to Donato Santarsieri, founder of the San Diego International Wine Show, for this generous gift!
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