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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

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
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
Their Winding Path Leads On
The Summer of Nature Love
For the Love of Birds + Nature
Marine Protected Area Ambassadors
Grassroots Style
Growing Up + Working Outdoors
Flowering After Fire
Natural Connector
June + Your Nature Collective Team
Thank You + Spring Giving Heroes
Sand + Soil Elevations for Rising Seas
Join Giving Tuesday Now
May News + Views
Join Earth Day Art Challenge
Working with Nature
Nature Nurtures Her Soul
National Outdoor Science Award
Nature + Essential Services
Inspiring Kids with Nature Joy
Nature Soothes Us Now
More People Need Nature

 

Lagoon Views

 

The Beginning of Finishing Touches + Lagoon Restoration

 

Now Open! Harbaugh Seaside Trails
Bake Sale for the Birds
An Encinitas Love Story
Nature’s Family Playground
Season of Giving Back
Greening + Lagoon Restoration
THANK-UARY + Matching Gift Foundation
Leading By Example
Your Year-End Gifts Are Matched!
Giving Tuesday Begins! Nature Needs Your Support.
Your Holiday Gifts Are Matched!
Final Donor Tiles Available + Harbaugh Seaside Trails
Next Gen Science
Visiting Jimmy’s Bench
Shaping Emerging Leaders
In AWE of You! Gala Funds Nature for All
Brush Fire Extinguished + San Elijo Lagoon
Nature Collective’s AWE Auction + 2 Days Left!
Stopping Sea Lavender + Agua Hedionda Lagoon
The Science Behind Tea Time + San Elijo Lagoon
Escondido Charitable Foundation + More Kids Outdoors
Be In AWE! Gala Auction Underway
Bidding Begins! Join AWE Auction
Art + Nature at Harbaugh Seaside Trails
Your Impacts + Your Gifts
Welcome, Vista Unified School District!
Your Gifts + Loving Nature
Opening the Outdoors + The San Diego Foundation
Cord Grass Nursery + Lagoon Restoration
New Trail Underway + Lagoon Restoration
Summer Camps Grow Youth Leaders
Grant Award + Harbaugh Seaside Trails
Encinitas New Trail Celebration
We are Nature Collective

Give These Lands a Hand

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

Our Habitat Restoration Supporters

Would you like to support the Nature Collective?

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