Programs: Conservation, restoration, scientific monitoring conservation: the conservancy co-manages the san elijo lagoon ecological reserve with the county of san diego and the state of california department of fish and game through a memorandum of understanding. The reserve is located along the coast of the pacific ocean between the cities of encinitas and solana beach in north san diego county. It comprises approximately 1,000 acres of land, is owned collectively by the state of california, san diego county and the conservancy, and is both a state ecological reserve and a county park. Since 2000, the conservancy has acquired approximately 100 acres of land, resulting in a 10% increase in the amount of protected land within the reserve, and became a joint owner with the state and county. In addition to increasing the amount of protected natural open space in our community, acquiring adjacent land prevents land uses that might be incompatible with the habitat values of the reserve by providing additional buffering next to the more ecologically sensitive areas of the reserve. The conservancy continues to explore opportunities to acquire additional land to further protect and expand the reserve. Restoration: the conservancy works to restore and improve natural habitat values within san elijo lagoon ecological reserve, its watershed (the escondido creek watershed) and the carlsbad hydrologic unit (a hydrologic unit made up of seven watersheds, including the escondido creek watershed). The consrvancy does this by keeping the inlet open so the lagoon receives daily doses of oxygen-rick sea water, planning for the restoration of the lagoon on the ecosystem level to restore habitat function, and controlling invasive plant infestations that threaten native plant and animal diversity throughout the carlsbad hydrologic unit. Scientific monitoring: the conservany's restoration work is guided by the resuts of its scientific monitoring activities. The conservancy collects and maintains a database of weekly water quality measurements dating back over 20 years. In addition to those weekly measurements, the conservancy collects continuous water quality data with the use of computer controlled equipment that support restoration projects and regional monitoring efforts. Other monitoring efforts, such as avian, fish, and invertebrate monitoring, are conducted periodically in support of specific restoration projects.
educational opportunities and community outreach environmental education: the conservancy's environmental education program is founded on the belief that in order to protect and preserve our natural environment, we first need to understand it and appreciate it. To this end, over 30 prefessionally trained naturalist-docents lead schools and other youth groups on guided walks throughout the extensive network of trails in the reserve. Students can touch, smell and see first-hand the rich diversity of animal and plant life at the lagoon, and the consequences - both favorable and unfavorable - that our choices and actions have on the environment. The conservancy also offers regular docent-led walks to the general public. Community outreach: as part of its outreach activities in the community, the conservancy offers volunteer work parties, allowing community members to participate hands-on in the conservation and restoration of the san elijo lagoon. Work sites vary throughout the reserve, and activities typically include habitat restoration, trail maintenance, and trash cleanup. All participants receive in-depth information on the reserve, the watershed, and ways to protect them, including water conservation, drought-resistant landscaping, etc. The conservancy also publishes a quarterly newsletter and several monthly e-newsletters to keep the community informed about developments in the reserve.
the campaign for gateway park is san elijo lagoon conservancy's fundraising initiative to repay lenders and begin to restore property that will be preserved as a public park. For over 20 years, the local beach community has endeavored to protect the gateway property, its trails and unobstructed views of san diego county's north coast from development. Gateway is a 3. 4 acre parcel at the northern city limit of solana beach, san diego county, ca (640 north highway 101, solana beach, california 92075). In late 2011, the bank proposed on a condo/hotel project foreclosed on that property and put it on the market, requiring a sale by year-end. The san elijo lagoon conservancy was able to borrow from individuals in the community who stepped forward to lend funds to the conservancy, enabling it to acquire the property in december, 2011 for 3. 75 million.
