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Volcan Mountain Preserve Foundation
Mission
To preserve and protect the Volcan Mountain range through educational
and charitable means.
History
The Volcan Mountain Preserve Foundation (VMPF) began as an inspired volunteer effort in 1988, when local Julian residents banded together to preserve and protect Volcan Mountain against a large-scale development of this pristine and beloved San Diego wilderness. Recognizing the Volcan Mountain Range as one of the most crucial wildlife corridors in all of Southern California, and refusing to accept a development that would have permanently marred the majestic ridgeline of Volcan Mountain, they stopped the development of the original 220 acres. The County’s purchase gave birth to the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve.
Since then, the VMPF has been the local citizen voice for Volcan’s preservation and instrumental in the public acquisition of nearly 9,000 acres of the Rutherford Ranch on the Volcan range. The VMPF continues to be as a catalyst and vocal advocate for the preservation of the entire Volcan Range, and has a strong history of partnership with the coalition of private and public entities and the landowner, who have preserved so much of the Volcan Mountain.
In 2004, The San Diego Foundation chose the VMPF as one of six regional conservation organization’s selected to participate in their Land Trust Initiative.
Who is involved?
Widespread support for the VMPF includes locals and regional representation: 800 Julian residents are supporters of VMPF, on a mailing list of 1100. The VMPF provides most of the docents and volunteer patrols for the Preserve, complementing the County’s management of the Preserve, and providing significant community participation and leadership in all areas of the preservation of Volcan Mountain. The Volcan preserve Gateway, for instance, was completely built by community volunteers, including the designer, world-renown artist, James Hubbell.
Projects
A coalition to complete the acquisition of the Rutherford Ranch was formed with the County of San Diego , the San Dieguito River Valley Park Joint Powers Authority, the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, The Trust for Public Land, and VMPF.
Within the next year, VMPF’s leadership was the impetus behind major breakthroughs for land conservation on Volcan: 1) VMPF secured a $1 million gift from anonymous donor , 2) The County Board of Supervisors approved $2 million for land acquisition on Volcan Mountain/Rutherford Ranch West, 3) The San Dieguito River Park/JPA approved $1 million, and 4) a multi-year purchase agreement is currently being negotiated with the landowner with the assistance of an anonymous conservation foundation.
We are also developing the Community Conservation Initiative, a volunteer and community education program, aimed at involving 125 citizens annually.
Goals
Our chief project for the next three years is to complete the acquisition and preservation of the Rutherford Ranch and protect the last 1,800 acres from development. This is a coaltion effort with the County of San Diego , the San Dieguito River Valley Park and SDRP Land Conservancy. VMPF is tasked with raising another $1 M of private monies to attract public dollars.
Additionally, we are beginning to develop land management strategies and acquisition targets for post-Rutherford ranch purchases.
Why we joined the Conservation Resources Network
We believe in its mission and want to be a part of the regional effort
to conserve San Diego’s resources and beauty.
How are we unique?
We are the only organization focused solely on preserving the Volcan
mountain range, even though we have very strong partnerships in this
effort with County of San Diego, the San Dieguito River Valley Park
and SDRP Land Conservancy.
Wish List
• $ 1-3 Million endowment for the future management of Volcan
• 8-person vehicle as transportation for Volcan Preserve tours
• large volunteer program for docents and patrols
• land management and /or educational coordinator on staff
Contact for more information:
Susan L. Cary
Executive Director
PO Box 1625
Julian, CA 92036
760 765-2300
www.volcanmt.org
susancary@volcanmt.org
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Susan L. Cary
Executive Director
PO Box 1625
Julian, CA 92036
760 765-2300
www.volcanmt.org
susancary@volcanmt.org
Our priorities are…
· to preserve and protect the Volcan Mountain range.
Did you know that…
· the headwaters of the San Dieguito River spring forth on
Volcan Mountain at Ironside Springs?
· there is a 55-mile stretch from the headwaters to the ocean
through the San Dieguito River Park?
· the San Dieguito River Park is a necklace of natural land
stretching from the ocean in Del Mar to the peak on Volcan, sometimes
described as the river park’s “crown jewel?”
·Volcan mountain is also in the watershed of the San Diego
River?
· Volcan includes a bit of the best of many areas of San Diego
County, with stunning high mountain ridges, sub-alpine conifer forests,
rugged canyons, oak woodlands, a sweeping desert valley and springs,
creeks, and sparkling vernal ponds?
· Volcan mountain is home to mule deer, mountain lion, bobcat,
gray fox, golden eagle, the long-eared owl, and many other threatened
species, including large, pristine stands of mature Engelmann oak
and ancient conifer forests of bigcone Douglas fir?
· after the Cedar Fire of 2003 destroyed 300,000 acres of backcountry
land, the pristine habitat of Volcan mountain provides a last refuge
for wildlife to recover and thrive?
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