San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy awarded grants for $11,000
The San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy (SDRVC) has received a $10,000 grant from REI and a $1,000 grant from Patagonia.
The REI grant is for the repair and improvement of segments of the Bernardo Summit Trail in the San Dieguito River Park.
“Increasing access to outdoor recreation is a major goal of the Conservancy and the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority,” said SDRVC Executive Director Trish Boaz. “REI has been a long-time supporter of our efforts to provide trails for the River Park.”
The Bernardo Mountain Summit Trail provides a panoramic view of Lake Hodges to the west and San Pasqual Valley and local mountains to the east.
The nearby Coast to Crest Trail, which is accessible from the Bernardo Summit Trail, is a 70-mile trail that traverses unique landscapes from the coast in Del Mar to Volcan Mountain in Julian.
Volunteers from the Conservancy, River Park, REI and the San Diego Mountain Biking Association will participate in a volunteer work event to be scheduled in the fall of 2016.
The $1000 award from Patagonia will support the Conservancy’s growing Citizen Science Monitoring Program at the recommendation of Adventure 16.
The Citizen Science Monitoring Program uses a special class of trained volunteers, called Citizen Scientists, to follow a new protocol for monitoring biological resources on lands owned by the Conservancy and San Dieguito River Park Joint Power Authority (JPA).
Citizen Science engages people of all ages in botanical and bird surveys as well as mammal tracking and herp (reptiles and such) surveys, using protocols developed by the San Diego Management and Monitoring Program. Data collected by Citizen Scientists is uploaded to the regional database maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey.
“Our Citizen Science Monitoring Program continues to grow and gain momentum. Over 200 Citizen Scientists have surveyed argentine ants, birds, rare plants and herps, and tracked wildlife throughout the River Park,” said Boaz. “We appreciate the support of Patagonia and Adventure 16 for this project.”
The Conservancy and its partners have surveyed two properties since 2014. At Bernardo Mountain, a total of 202 plant species and 75 wildlife species have been detected during the 2016 surveys, including four invertebrates, six mammals, 59 birds and six reptiles.
A total of 172 plant species and 95 wildlife species were detected during the 2014/2015 surveys at the River Park JPA headquarters, including nine invertebrates, nine mammals, 66 birds, 10 reptiles and one amphibian.
More about the Citizen Science Monitoring Program and results can be found at: https://goo.gl/5BYcLY