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

Would you like to support the Nature Collective?

Get Info

If you’re a business, you can become a corporate sponsor + display your logo here!

Learn How

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

Read More About Conservation on Our Blog

Big Habitat Help for Little Peeps

Colors on the Pole Trail

Coming “Dune” This Fall + Lagoon Restoration

San Elijo Lagoon Inlet Update – Oct 2024

San Elijo is Experiencing Challenges

San Elijo Channels Face Challenges

Escondido Creek Restoration

Restoration Brings May Wildflowers

Dreaming Awake

Inside SRF

Ripples of Connectivity

Exchange

Lifelines

Nothing and Everything

Backwash

Heavy Rain Opens Inlet

Wandering Skipper Habitat Restoration to Begin September

Tropical Storm Hilary Causes Fish Die-Off in San Elijo Lagoon

Pride Outside at San Elijo Lagoon

Herpetology Study at San Elijo Lagoon

Welcome All to Your Restored Wetland

Nest-Ready Refuge

Growing up with the Lagoon

Find Your Passion

You are a Nature Hero

Digging in Deeper

A Career in Conservation Begins

Welcome, President Circle Chair

THANK-uary Heroes + Leonard Family Foundation

Today is Giving Tuesday! Give to Nature.

Is Nature in Your Holiday Giving?

Pacific Flyway Conservation Grant Award

Ecosystems in Action

Tar Ball Removal Update

Tar Ball Monitoring + Removal

Opening the Outdoors + Field Trips Resume

Underwater Meadows of Life

lmproving WildLife + Batiquitos Lagoon

Bird Counts are Back!

Nurturing an Environmental Leader

Welcome, Ramona School Children!

Are Ridgway’s Rails Travelers?

Give Love: In Memory and In Honor

Cardiff Beach Living Shoreline Gets More Sand: June 1-8

Life + Livelihoods + Your Volunteerism

Escondido to Ithaca: Carol’s Watershed Journey

Saving Dunes and Bluffs + Carlsbad

California Trails + Greenways Award Announced for Harbaugh Seaside Trails

Spring Break Hike with Friends

Wildflower Hour

Join Earth Day Hero Challenge

Your Nature Journey Continues!

Enhancing Wildlife Corridors + Agua Hedionda Lagoon

Pole Trail News + Views

A Rare Succulent in Bloom

Wetland Revived | The Natural Observer

Nature At Work | The Natural Observer

Beyond Strawberries | The Natural Observer

Thank You + Nature Love

2021 Board of Directors

THANK-uary Hero + Union Bank Foundation

THANK-uary Heroes + Leonard Family Foundation

Support the Healing Power of Nature

Your Gift Protects Your Home Away from Home

Discovery Kits for Nature’s Kids

Grateful in Nature + Giving Forward

Finn Brings Nature Closer

A Family Hiking Tradition

Bridging Coastal Communities

Fields of Dreams

Peace on the Trails