San Diego Regional Non-Profits Protecting the Chaparral
By working together, conservation groups and individual activists can protect the natural environment much more successfully than by working alone. In that spirit, we have listed below those non-profit organizations based in the San Diego region that have some connection with protecting shrubland ecosystems.
If you want to stay informed, the first thing to do is join the . It is a Yahoo Discussion Group where you can post the latest news about your organization in the San Diego region. We often post breaking local conservation news there first before distributing it through other channels.
Next, sign up to get the SD Environmental Leader's . It's also a Yahoo group, but is limited to sending out the event calendar. You can easily post your own events so everyone else can know what activities you are planning.
Finally, check out the non-profit conservation websites listed below and become familiar with who is trying to protect and preserve shrubland ecosystems in wild San Diego. If your group isn't here, please let us know!
Conservation Groups
San Diego Chapter of the California Native Plant Society A dedicated bunch of folks who strive to help others learn about and appreciate California's remarkable native plant communities.
San Diego Audubon Society Since 1948 SDAS has worked to preserve wildlife of all types and their habitats in San Diego County. The Society owns and operates Silverwood Wildlife Sanctuary, 723 acres of coastal chaparral and riparian woodland in the Lakeside foothills, where education about chaparral ecology is a primary mission.
San Diego Chapter of the Sierra Club While exploring the lower elevations of Mt. Shasta, John Muir (founder of the Sierra Club) discoverd a "dense growth of chaparral from three to six or eight feet high...forming when in full bloom, one of the most glorious flower-beds conceivable." We certainly agree with that!
Groups Protecting Inland Wildlands
San Diego Canyonlands Dedicated to promote, protect and restore the natural habitats in San Diego County canyons and creeks by fostering education and ongoing community involvement in stewardship and advocacy, and by collaborating with other organizations. This "collaboration" portion of this group's mission is a part we REALLY like!
Friends of Hellhole Canyon This is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit land trust and educational organization located in Valley Center, California. As an environmental education organization, The Friends works to raise awareness of the Preserve's important natural resources and to support recreation and enjoyment of the Preserve by the public.
Preserve Wild Santee Dedicated to protecting the beautiful chaparral covered hills and canyons on Fanita Ranch. Located just north of Santee, California.
Friends of Daley Ranch Located just north of Escondido, these folks are dedicated to promoting the important cultural and biological values found on the Ranch through interpretive programs and community education. The Ranch protects wonderful stands of Englemann oak and beautiful old-growth chaparral.
32nd Street Task Force Neither dedicated, nor non-profit, the Task Force is more like the X-Men. Historically, our feats of preservation, habitat-making and education have been accomplished in defiance of "authority" with the help of like-spirited others, many in positions of authority.
Friends of Rose Canyon Dedicated to protecting the native habitats of Rose Canyon, a four mile long canyon located in the University City neighborhood of San Diego, California.
Preserve Calavera Dedicated to protecting, enhancing, and restoring the natural resources of coastal north San Diego County.
Friends of Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve A volunteer organization which works to protect the Preserve by helping to lead interesting interpretive walks, restoring habitat, maintaining trails, removing invasive plants, and replanting with natives. Located just south of State Highway 56, north of the community of Mira Mesa.
Friends of Goodan and Sycamore Ranch Open Space Dedicated to protecting and enhancing the natural and cultural resources of these two interconnected San Diego County Open Space Parks through interpretive and other educational activities. Located south of Poway, along State Hwy 67.
Volcan Mountain Preserve Foundation An important land trust dedicated to protecting and preserving the native ecosystems found on Volcan Mountain where the headwaters of the San Dieguito River can be found, north of Julian, California.
Groups Protecting Regional Watersheds From North to South
Buena Vista Audubon Based out of the Nature Center on the Buena Vista Lagoon in Oceanside, California, this local Audubon Chapter is dedicated to promoting conservation through education, advocacy, and monitoring. They sponsor wonderful educational programs and field trips focusing on the region's avian citizens.
Aqua Hedionda Lagoon Dedicated to conserving, restoring and enhancing the natural ecosystems of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon, marsh, wetlands and watershed areas (California sage scrub and chaparral). The lagoon is just south of Carlsbad, California.
The Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation Dedicated to the preservation, enhancement and protection of the Lagoon's native ecosystems. The Foundation leads programs to educate the public in the values of this natural environment and the habitats it provides for birds, insects, plants, fish, mammals and benthic animals. Located just north of Leucadia, California.
The Escondido Creek Conservancy A special land trust dedicated to the preservation, restoration and protection of the natural open space within the Escondido Creek watershed that begins in the hills surrounding the town of Escondido and empties into the San Elijo Lagoon. The Conservancy has a new, beautiful interpretive center (designed by James and Drew Hubbell) in the Elfin Forest Recreation Reserve just off Harmony Grove Road, west of Escondido.
The San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy A successful land trust dedicated to protecting the San Dieguito River watershed from the coastal lagoon all the way up to Volcan Mountain just north of Julian, California. Other than acquiring land to preserve it, the Conservancy is building a "Coast to Crest" hiking trail that will allow everyone to enjoy and explore the full range of habitats in San Diego region, especially the chaparral!
San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy
A well organized land trust dedicated to preserving, protecting, and ehancing the Lagoon through land acquisition and educational programs. Located just north of Solana Beach, California.
The Torrey Pines Association A wonderful group of volunteers dedicated to helping the public learn about and better understand the special maritime chaparral ecosystem (that includes the rare Torrey pine) found in the Torrey Pines State Reserve. Located just south of Del Mar, California.
San Diego River Park Foundation A huge amount of the watershed that supplies the San Diego River is dominated by chaparral habitats. The Foundation's vision is to create a river park that will serve to both protect native wildlands connected to the River and help the public understand the value of such wildlands.