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THE Escondido Creek Conservancy

Mission
The Escondido Creek Conservancy is a private, non-profit, public benefit corporation dedicated to the preservation and protection of Escondido Creek and the natural open space within its watershed.

History
Our organization was founded in 1990 by concerned citizens who saw the regional significance of Escondido Creek and the value of working to preserve some areas in their natural state for future generations.

Who is involved?
Like any organization or business, the success of The Escondido Creek Conservancy requires a committed and capable board of directors. Our board must be composed of no less than five and no more than 17 volunteers with a broad range of perspectives and expertise. The board is responsible for the governance of the Conservancy, for the stewardship of our easements and properties, and for managing our finances. Board members attend monthly meetings, represent the Conservancy at community events, and participate in committees.

Board Members
June Rady (City Councilwoman, retired) President, Escondido
Tim Costanzo (Small Business Owner) Treasurer, Elfin Forest
Brent Alspach (Environmental Engineer) Secretary, Carlsbad
Steve Barker (Company President) Director, Elfin Forest
Kevin Barnard (Police Detective) Director, Harmony Grove
Everett Delano III (Environmental Attorney) Director, Rancho Santa Fe
Jerry Harmon (Mayor, City Councilman, engineer retired) Director, Escondido
Jack Olmstead (Small Business Owner) Director, Elfin Forest
Jeff Swenerton (Retired School Administrator) Director, Elfin Forest
Leonard Wittwer (Research Scientist, retired) Director

Escondido Creek Conservancy Advisory Board Members
Anita Hayworth (Biologist), Encinitas
Martha Blane (Habitat Restoration Consultant), Elfin Forest

TECC has been in operation for over 15 years and has recruited a team of volunteer leaders that has launched new tools as the need for them has arisen. Poor water quality in the creek has inspired a water quality monitoring program that can be used to ensure no additional degradation occur and that clean-up and mitigation for spills be required. Pressure to develop every last acre in the habitat rich parts off the watershed has caused the group to launch a land acquisition program designed to purchase or receive donations of important tracts of land.

The organization has a proven track record of collaboration and broad community support for its programs.

Projects
Land Transactions: There is intense pressure to develop the most scenic and important wildlife areas in the Escondido Creek watershed. The Escondido Creek Conservancy has acquired 360 acres in four separate transactions over the last few years. Specific acquisitions include:

1. In October 2002, 345 acres was acquired from Adnan Derbas in a high profile land transfer including San Diego County and key policy-makers. The County purchased 92 acres and The Escondido Creek Conservancy acquired 253 acres and then conveyed the property to the County in phases over the next three years. The property is located just southeast of Via Rancho Parkway and Del Dios Highway, and was originally slated for an 84-home development project.

   The land includes pristine habitat that provides connectivity between the Escondido Creek and San Diegito River watersheds. It is home to nesting golden eagles and a host of rare native plants. Long term the Conservancy will assist the County in management and restoration activities on the land. The county hopes to create hiking trails to incorporate the property into more than 1,600 acres of open space and connect trails in the Elfin Forest Recreation Reserve and with the San Dieguito River Valley Park.

2. The Quarry property was purchased in 2002. Escondido Creek flows through this 11-acre parcel that TECC plans to restore by removing invasive exotic plants, mostly Eucalyptus and Arundo.

3. A 76.2-acre undeveloped parcel located along Escondido Creek in the Harmony Grove/Elfin Forest area was acquired in February 2001. Coastal sage scrub, southern mixed chaparral, dramatic, towering granite cliffs, and 6.5 acres of riparian woodland all contribute to the breathtaking scenic beauty of this invaluable piece. The property is adjacent to the 750-acre Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve, and will be maintained as open space, creating a larger, continuous block of unspoiled habitat. A wetlands restoration project has begun along the creek at this site involving the removal of eucalyptus, Arundo, palms and other invasive exotic plants.

4. In 1998 the “Bumann” property was deeded to the Conservancy by a developer as mitigation requirement for habitat loss incurred on a development project. The parcel, bordering on the City of Encinitas, has approximately 20 acres of prime coastal sage scrub and 1.5 acres of riparian habitat. This section of the creek is alternating sandy pools and rocky cascades. Rare species like the Southwestern pond turtle and California gnat catcher are found on site. The riparian areas of this preserve are currently being enhanced by the removal of eucalyptus, Arundo and palms.

   Water Quality Program: Runoff from existing urban and agricultural areas pollutes the creek and has degraded its water quality significantly. The Conservancy has launched a volunteer monitoring program to regularly sample and assess the health of Escondido Creek. Proper sampling and analysis of Benthic Macroinvertibrates (BMI) (mostly insects) is a tool that provides rapid, accurate and inexpensive assessments of water quality.

Goals
The Escondido Creek Conservancy believes the natural lands within the watershed are an irreplaceable natural asset with great community value. Our goals include:

Land Use: Preserve and protect the natural open space within the Escondido Creek watershed through a combination of land acquisition, protection agreements, and cooperation with various agencies to implement land protection programs.

Education: Offer programs to teach students, teachers, and community members about the value watersheds provide to communities, so that they gain the knowledge and expertise needed to become responsible stewards of their local watersheds.

Trails: Plan and implement public multi-use trails within the watershed, which will connect the Escondido Creek watershed with other regional trails and open spaces.

Finance: Acquire financial resources through grants, membership, and fundraising, and manage the financial assets of TECC to provide the means for the other committees to implement their programs.

Why we joined the Conservation Resources Network
To work with our conservation colleagues throughout San Diego County.

How are we unique?
The Escondido Creek Conservancy is the only conservancy focused primarily on the Escondido Creek watershed. The conservancy has formed alliances with landowners, government agencies, and education and community groups to increase awareness of the invaluable resources intrinsic to the Escondido Creek watershed.

Contact for more information:
The Escondido Creek Conservancy
P.O. Box 460791
Escondido, CA 92046-0791
Phone: (760) 471-9354
E-mail information@escondidocreek.org
Web Page www.escondidocreek.org