Back Country Land Trust OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Mission
For the benefit of the public and future generations, we protect lands
in our rural areas that contain natural, scenic, cultural and agricultural
resources through acquisition, stewardship, and education.
History
In 1991, a group of concerned citizens was determined to preserve Robert’s
Ranch in Descanso. They worked with the U.S. Forest Service and lobbied
Congress for Land and Water Conservation Funding. Once the land was
protected, the land trust was transferred to a group in Alpine dedicated
to conserving Wright’s Field for the community to use as a nature
preserve. With exceptional support from County Supervisor Dianne Jacob,
County Staff, USFWS, and CDFG, the Preserve was included in the MSCP
as a Pre-Approved Mitigation Area. With one final phase remaining (140
acres) in the Wright’s Field acquisition, we’re in the home
stretch and have begun pilot educational programs with neighboring schools,
hands-on stewardship with community volunteers, and have taken on additional
conservation projects critical to maintaining San Diego’s quality
of life, including an organic farm program in Jamul and a binational
conservation corridor in Potrero.
Who is involved?
BCLT has one staff member, a six member board of directors, and numerous,
dedicated community volunteers. BCLT partners with Alpine schools to
conduct hands-on education programs using Wright’s Field as a
“living laboratory.” We partner with other community groups
such as the California Native Plant Society, Audubon Society, San Diego
Natural History Museum, and others to lead walks and conduct field research,
and we co-sponsor “I Love a Clean Alpine” every Earth Day
to get the community involved in Preserve maintenance. We’ve partnered
with the California Department of Forestry to implement preventive fire
management practices in the Preserve and are working with the fire department
on local ‘defensible space’ issues.
Projects
Our education program serves approximately 200-300 students each school
year through art, science, math, and alternative learning programs.
The “I Love a Clean Alpine” event attracts 25 people each
year and the 2-3 other clean up days throughout the year draw 10 people
each. We host approximately 10 walks throughout the year, which bring
in a combined 200 people. Through our organic farm program, we have
hosted two farm open houses over the past year that have attracted 200
people each. Our annual native plant sale brings a native plant nursery
to East County and educates 75 people about landscaping with natives
each year.
Goals
We’ll complete the acquisition of Wright’s Field (140 acres
to go), create a management plan, and develop regular, systematic education
and stewardship programs on-site. Our organic farm program has seeds
in the ground, and we expect to grow our farming efforts into multiple
networked farms, linking to local restaurants, groceries and farmer’s
markets. The binational program is in progress and will expand, with
a current goal to protect 3,600 acres adjacent protected federal lands
over the next couple of years. We anticipate participating in the development
of the County’s East County Multiple Species Conservation Program
(MSCP) Plan.
Why we joined the Conservation Resources Network
To be part of an organization that raises awareness about conservation
in San Diego County and to participate in the use of shared technical
and intellectual resources fundamental to our land conservation work.
How are we unique?
We are the only private, local, nonprofit land trust working in East
County with a three-pronged approach to conservation: acquisition, stewardship,
and education.
Business Partnerships?
We work closely with the Alpine Chamber of Commerce and some local east
county businesses to educate the community about Wright’s Field
and the potential benefits of eco-tourism. Last year the Back Country
Land Trust was voted “Organization of the Year,” from 20
nominees, by the Alpine Chamber board.
Education Partnerships?
We work very closely with the Alpine Union School District and Joan
MacQueen Middle School to encourage the use of Wright’s Field
as a “living laboratory” for the community. With more than
100 bird species, 200 plant species (the list is growing), distinct
soil types and abundant insect species, the 400-acre Preserve’s
six overlapping habitats (5 are endangered) is a rich resource for exploration
and discovery.
We are additionally partnering with Thomas Jefferson School of Law’s
Environmental Law Society to research and write board policies regarding
education, stewardship and acquisition. Their team of twelve students
has provided phenomenal assistance with gathering background information
for our Board of Directors.
Internship Opportunities:
We will be offering an internship opportunity this summer. The position
will include project management, policy development, volunteer coordination,
and membership communications. Our intention is to provide the opportunity
throughout the school year as well, with the position and procedures
to be developed by this summer’s intern.
Wish List
Raising funds for acquisition and operating support.
Partnering with another group to develop our land management plan.
Educating professionals that provide escrow, legal, accounting, and
other services pertinent to our work.
Involvement from the corporate and other business communities.
Contact for more information:
George Barnett, President
PO Box 1148
Alpine, CA 91903
openspaces@bclt.org
http://www.bclt.org
(619) 722-6281
(619)722-6420
Issues
(1) Preserving San Diego’s Back Country
(2) Creating education partnerships with the community
(3) Protecting and managing natural resources in East County
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