In the year 2001, the San Dieguito River Park was identified as a State Wildlife Corridor linkage by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. If you go to the California Parks website 
, you will see the Coast to Crest Trail is a highlighted corridor on the Southern California map.
The San Dieguito River Valley is an excellent example of preserving open space in the ever expanding urban landscape. Logan Jenkins, Union Tribune columnist, wrote, “At the close of the next century, the San Dieguito River Park, an ambitious conservation project stretching from Del Mar to Volcan Mountain, may be considered inland North County’s noblest achievement. Our great grandchildren will judge us for what we save, not what we sell.”
One example of the preservation of wildlife can be found around Lake Hodges. Even though the San Dieguito River Park is home to many wildlife species, the Lake Hodges area was declared a globally important birding area with over 215 species identified in 2001.
With support from the Palomar Audubon Society the first Birds of Lake Hodges brochure was created. The Friends of the San Dieguito River Valley organization helped produce the first brochure depicting the Birds of the San Dieguito Lagoon. Both brochures are wonderful resources we share with park visitors today. It is so interesting and exciting for me to learn about and observe several species of birds and animals in the San Dieguito River Park.
2000 – Y2K?