e-TECC

#1

 

January 19, 2006

An electronic publication of The Escondido Creek Conservancy | www.escondidocreek.org | 760.471.9354

 

Dedication

This inaugural issue of e-TECC is dedicated to the memory of Jerry Gradisher, whose soul departed this earth on January 12, 2006.  Jerry’s contributions to TECC’s land acquisition program are a lasting legacy to his commitment to open space protection and recreation.  It was largely through Jerry’s efforts and determination that nearly 400 acres of pristine watershed are protected in perpetuity: Coler Property (76 ac), Quarry Property (11 ac), Derbas Property (345 ac).  Thank you Jerry for a job well done.  A wake and celebration of Jerry’s life will be held on Saturday, January 21 beginning at 1:00 (click  here for details.)

 

Outings

‘Wednesdays in the Watershed’ – Join us on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month for a refreshing and informative hike in the watershed, led by our Executive Director, Geoffrey Smith.

  This is a great way to learn about the watershed – news, threats, and opportunities – in a relaxing and envigorating way.

  Details and sign-up on the TECC web site.

 

Welcome to
e-TECC #1

You have on your computer screen the first edition of The Escondido Creek Conservancy’s (TECC) electronic bulletin.  Serving as a supplement to our quarterly newsletter, ‘The Watershed Voice’, e-TECC will bring timely, interactive information to you quickly and inexpensively.  Much of the content you see here will link to the TECC website, or to other web resources.  We hope you enjoy this new service!

 

projects elsewhere took sensitive habitat.  TECC has received funds for two endowments to manage these lands in their newly re-found natural state in perpetuity.

Winnie the Pooh Doesn’t Know What to do…

Got a honey jar stuck on his nose…  See what the fuss is about!  TECC is offering for sale jars of fresh chaparral honey, produced by the folks who have the apiaries (white honey bee boxes) on TECC property.  $5.00 per jar of pure honey is pure profit for TECC.  Email or call for purchase and delivery.

Calendar Resource

Planning your month?  Check out the regional calendar of events provided by the San Diego Environmental Leader Network.

 

Where Sewer Goes, Development Follows

The Harmony Grove area has been spared the growth inducing effects of sewer service extended from the City of Escondido, for the time being.  New Urban West, developer of the proposed 750 unit Harmony Grove Village, in early December withdrew its request for sewer service from the City.  The plan now is to install a package sewer plant on-site.  TECC continues to  monitor this project very closely.

Support TECC

TECC’s extensive volunteer-based program of land stewardship, education and outreach is made possible through the support of volunteers like you.  Donate your time or money to TECC now.

 

Calendar of Events

Jan 28: 150 oak trees planting at Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve, sponsored by R.E.I. and the Olivenhain Municipal Water District

 

Feb 1 & 7, 6 pm: Escondido Union High School District Board workshops on the high school siting issue (TECC opposes the Dorn/Foote site adjacent to the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve.)

 

Feb 1, 7 pm: Neighborhood Meeting of the newly-formed ‘Friends of Reidy Canyon Creek’, working to respond to serious issues involving proposed housing development (‘Tract 892’) in the community north of the City of Escondido.  Contact Lisa Prazeau at 760.271.5472.

Bye-Bye Eucalyptus Trees!

Take a drive down Harmony Grove Road nowadays, and you’re likely to see a lot more native oak, sycamore and willow trees.  That’s due to a number of habitat restoration projects currently underway along the creek.  Removal of exotic trees and plants (such as arundo donax, or ‘giant reed’) is occurring at TECC’s ‘Quarry’ property at Country Club Drive, TECC’s ‘Coler’ property just below the Reserve staging area, and at various other locations along the creek.  Two of these are ‘off-site’ mitigation projects funded by developers whose construction