2024 – San Dieguito River Park JPA Accomplishments

Grants/Donations/Other Monetary Awards

• Approved MOA with San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy establishing a $500K endowment for purposes of contributing funds to the JPA’s operational budget
• Awarded $40,000 from Escondido Community Foundation for Sikes Outdoor Pavillion
• Awarded $19,602 from County of San Diego and $15,000 from the Dickenson Foundation for Outdoor Equity Vehicle
• Received $11,000 donation as charity at The Red Nose Run in Del Mar
• Obtained funds from Navy for Sycamore Westridge conservation easement and HMP endowments
• Collected approximately $30,500 from Bike/Run Events held on SDRP trails
• Received $12,300 in miscellaneous private donations

Trails and Other Park Projects

• Celebrated opening of Tidal Trail and completion of San Dieguito Lagoon Phase II restoration project (W-19) at Ribbon Cutting Ceramony and led group hike on new trail
• Hired Environmental Planner
• Purchased ATV and two additional radios for ranger crews
• Hosted native plant sale at Sikes Adobe by San Diego chapter of CA Native Plant Society
• Continued design of 13 miles of CTC Trail gaps in East San Pasqual Valley and Sutherland area
• Continued design of SDRP Western Gateway and Fairgrounds Trail
• Obtained License Agreement and site development permit from City of San Diego for Osuna segment of CTC Trail and joint use agreement with Olivenhain Municipal Water District for shared use of OMWD pipeline easement and Osuna Trail
• Replaced directional trail signs throughout SDRP trail system

Habitat Conservation and Restoration

• Continued coastal cactus wren habitat restoration project at Bernardo Mnt funded by SANDAG Environmental Mitigation Program
• Managed and maintained eight Habitat Management Areas including species surveys, weed control, and native plantings
• Continued restoration/maintenance of 4-acre Pamo mitigation site
• Seed harvesting and plantings at Pamo, Santa Maria Creek, and Bernardo Mnt
• Provided approved permits and collaborated with San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy and Rancho Santa Fe Association for Arroyo Preserve invasive species removal project

Community Outreach and Education

• Continued Escondido Watershed Explorers Program funded by State Outdoor Equity Grant including second year of Summer Camp, overnight camping, 10 field excursions, volunteer training, and workshops, benefiting over 500 youth
• Participated in multiple community outreach events including two Earth Day celebrations, Rancho Bernardo Safety Fair, Poway Garden Show, Grape Day Fair, Wonderfest and the San Diego Children’s Museum; and gave several presentations promoting SDRP; partnered with SDRVC
• Participated in I Love a Clean San Diego Coastal Clean Up with over 50 of volunteers
• Participated in numerous college career and internship fairs and supported UCSD research project, hosted 9 CSSM internships
• Sponsored 8 high school internships and completed 2 Eagle Scout projects
• Led guided tours and hikes throughout SDRP and weekly tours of Sikes Adobe Farmhouse
• Hosted bike/run events including BWR, Filthy50, and ultra marathon
• Hosted annual San Diego Native Plant Sale, Master Gardener Group and Festive Farmhouse at Sikes Adobe
• Held monthly volunteer trail maintenance and habitat restoration events, continued weekly group for Sikes Adobe gardens, and held 3 Volunteer Enrichments
• Held 2024 Volunteer Appreciation Party at Sikes Adobe
• Participated in international BioBlitz and partnered with the San Diego tracking team to install new camera traps
• Partnered with High Tech High North County for onsite presentations, camera trap research project and hosted an Art Exhibition at the Ranger Station
• Participated as speaker promoting SDRP at several organized community events
• SDRP projects and trails recognized throughout year in several media publications
• SDRP volunteers donated over 2000 hours