Conservation

Habitat Restoration

Without thriving native plant species, our lands – and their ecosystems – aren’t truly healthy.

That’s why we work to control invasive plants in the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve, throughout the Carlsbad Hydrologic Unit, and beyond. The more our native plants flourish, the more that endangered animals in California get to reside in their life-giving habitats.

Over 40 miles of streams within the Escondido Watershed have been restored due to our efforts in controlling invasive plants.

Join the many visitors + volunteers who keep an eye out for invasive plant species – and help us revegetate the area with native plants!

“Certain invasive plants do extensive damage to private property and natural resources, including increasing the risks associated with fire and degrading native habitat. We address these non-native invasive plants that spread aggressively, often onto neighboring properties, making them difficult to control.”
— Bradley Nussbaum, Director of Habitat Management

bush of blooming cream/white colored flowers surrounded by green leafy stems

What We Do

Monitor invasive plants – both established and new.
Recruit volunteers to help monitor + remove invasive plants, as well as staff + contractors to help with major projects.
Revegetate with beautiful native plants – so our lands can flourish.

Purple Beach Sand Verbena growing alongside the Lagoon

Why We Do It

To keep or restore native habitats so native wildlife can use them.
To preserve what’s left of natural habitats in urbanized San Diego.
To provide critical connectivity for wildlife.
Because our lands are a stop along the Pacific Flyway, a bird migration corridor.
Because it allows people who use the trails to experience a healthy + diverse ecosystem.

Key Initiatives

Dune Restoration to provide a rare – and important – habitat for birds like the Western Snowy Plover + Least Tern and plant species like Nutall’s Lotus (Acmispon prostratus).
Wildlife Corridor Protection + Maintenance to connect the patterns of wildlife travel, provide a critical habitat for birds like Least Bell’s Vireo + Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, and offer a natural firebreak.
Upland Restoration to give a critical habitat to the California Gnatcatcher. As the primary habitat of coastal San Diego County, urbanization has destroyed or fragmented much of the upland.

Photo Gallery

Give These Lands a Hand

Join up with fellow nature-loving individuals … and help restore the natural balance of our lands.

Learn How

Our Habitat Restoration Supporters

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What are you looking for?

Conservation

Habitat Restoration

Without thriving native plant species, our lands – and their ecosystems – aren’t truly healthy.

What We Do

Why We Do It

Key Initiatives

Photo Gallery

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