Come to the 6th Annual Concert on the Creek Benefit featuring
Berkley Hart,
Saturday August 25, 6:00 pm

TECC's 6th Annual Concert on the Creek, dinner, and silent auction is coming! Spend an evening in the beautiful hill country of Elfin Forest, as guests of the Lazy J Ranch overlooking the beautiful rural countryside along Escondido Creek. We welcome Berkley Hart back for a memorable live performance, as we dine on a meal consisting of deep-pit-BBQ ham and turkey, beer by Stone Brewing Company, wine, coffee by Starbucks, and desert. The silent auction is full of wonderful gifts and services including recreation gear, vacation rentals, gift certificates, and more! The silent auction this year benefits the new Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Interpretive Center capital campaign. We are so excited about this new facility, designed by the renowned firm of James and Drew Hubbell architects.

Purchase your tickets now online at

(click image above for all the details)

Watershed Updates

Onyx Ridge Unit added to the Elfin Forest Preserve

This 72.4 acre addition is situated to the south of and adjacent to TECC's recently-acquired Greenlands unit, announced in e-TECC #9 . This beautiful chaparral and riparian woodland straddles the confluence of Misha Creek and Escondido Creek, just south and east of Paint Mountain in Elfin Forest. The property comes to TECC via a habitat management agreement from an adjacent property owner, and includes a permanent endowment to fund management and monitoring work in perpetuity. Look for a detailed description of the property in a future edition of The Watershed Voice. See our web site for a list of all TECC-managed lands.

Update on the Del Dios Highlands Preserve (Derbas)

You may have observed some dirt road 'improvements' taking place on the old Derbas Property. Here's what's going on: As you may recall back in 2002, TECC spearheaded a drive to purchase 253 acres of land from Adnan Derbas, who was preparing to build custom homes up there. This development would have wrecked the biological integrity of the area, which is adjacent to the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve. In subsequent years, the land which was saved from development was sold to the County of San Diego, which now manages it as open space parkland called 'Del Dios Highlands Preserve'. The work you see is necessary engineering on the existing dirt road which runs from Del Dios Hiway to the top of the property, and ultimately connects to the road/trail system at the Reserve. The Del Dios fire and a number of significant rain events over the years had caused severe erosion damage to the existing road, which dates back well over 50 years. These events threatened and in some cases damaged buildings and private property. The stabilization work is being done by County staff, with support from contractors working for the County, including the good people at the California Conservation Corps. In addition to the road work you have been seeing, TECC has also funded some invasive tree removal work to address the serious eucalyptus problem there. Through all this work, care has been taken to avoid any impacts to raptors, including hawks and golden eagles.

For information on project completion dates, availability for public recreation, and other details, please don't hesitate to contact the project manager, Jake Enriquez. He has asked me to pass along his contact information to the Del Dios community:

Jake Enriquez

Job Title: District Park Manager

Business: +1 (858) 966-1365

E-mail: Jake.Enriquez@sdcounty.ca.gov
Web Page: http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/parks/

New Elfin Forest Preserve Creek Bridge dedication, August 25

The new concrete span has been completed across the creek, and the main parking lot has been reopened.. This new bridge on the 'Way Up Trail' replaces the old culvert which was impeding the flow of water. The creek is now flowing freely! Come to the dedication and celebrate the reopening of the trail.

Final Design Approved for the new Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Interpretive Center

In July a joint team consisting of OMWD and TECC representatives, supported by a 7-member Citizen Advisory Committee, selected the final design for the new Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Interpretive Center. Construction is expected to commence in early 2008. The Capital Campaign continues to bring in important funding to ensure the success of this exciting project -- we need your support! Click link for architectural drawings and watercolor painting.

e-TECC #10 August 2007 "e-TECC" is an electronic bulletin of The Escondido Creek Conservancy www.escondidocreek.org \| 760.471.9354
Come to the 6th Annual Concert on the Creek Benefit featuring Berkley Hart, Saturday August 25, 6:00 pm TECC's 6th Annual Concert on the Creek, dinner, and silent auction is coming! Spend an evening in the beautiful hill country of Elfin Forest, as guests of the Lazy J Ranch overlooking the beautiful rural countryside along Escondido Creek. We welcome Berkley Hart back for a memorable live performance, as we dine on a meal consisting of deep-pit-BBQ ham and turkey, beer by Stone Brewing Company, wine, coffee by Starbucks, and desert. The silent auction is full of wonderful gifts and services including recreation gear, vacation rentals, gift certificates, and more! The silent auction this year benefits the new Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Interpretive Center capital campaign. We are so excited about this new facility, designed by the renowned firm of James and Drew Hubbell architects. Purchase your tickets now online at (click image above for all the details) Watershed Updates Onyx Ridge Unit added to the Elfin Forest Preserve This 72.4 acre addition is situated to the south of and adjacent to TECC's recently-acquired Greenlands unit, announced in e-TECC #9 . This beautiful chaparral and riparian woodland straddles the confluence of Misha Creek and Escondido Creek, just south and east of Paint Mountain in Elfin Forest. The property comes to TECC via a habitat management agreement from an adjacent property owner, and includes a permanent endowment to fund management and monitoring work in perpetuity. Look for a detailed description of the property in a future edition of The Watershed Voice. See our web site for a list of all TECC-managed lands. Update on the Del Dios Highlands Preserve (Derbas) You may have observed some dirt road 'improvements' taking place on the old Derbas Property. Here's what's going on: As you may recall back in 2002, TECC spearheaded a drive to purchase 253 acres of land from Adnan Derbas, who was preparing to build custom homes up there. This development would have wrecked the biological integrity of the area, which is adjacent to the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve. In subsequent years, the land which was saved from development was sold to the County of San Diego, which now manages it as open space parkland called 'Del Dios Highlands Preserve'. The work you see is necessary engineering on the existing dirt road which runs from Del Dios Hiway to the top of the property, and ultimately connects to the road/trail system at the Reserve. The Del Dios fire and a number of significant rain events over the years had caused severe erosion damage to the existing road, which dates back well over 50 years. These events threatened and in some cases damaged buildings and private property. The stabilization work is being done by County staff, with support from contractors working for the County, including the good people at the California Conservation Corps. In addition to the road work you have been seeing, TECC has also funded some invasive tree removal work to address the serious eucalyptus problem there. Through all this work, care has been taken to avoid any impacts to raptors, including hawks and golden eagles. For information on project completion dates, availability for public recreation, and other details, please don't hesitate to contact the project manager, Jake Enriquez. He has asked me to pass along his contact information to the Del Dios community: Jake Enriquez Job Title: District Park Manager Business: +1 (858) 966-1365 E-mail: Jake.Enriquez@sdcounty.ca.gov Web Page: http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/parks/ New Elfin Forest Preserve Creek Bridge dedication, August 25 The new concrete span has been completed across the creek, and the main parking lot has been reopened.. This new bridge on the 'Way Up Trail' replaces the old culvert which was impeding the flow of water. The creek is now flowing freely! Come to the dedication and celebrate the reopening of the trail. Final Design Approved for the new Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Interpretive Center In July a joint team consisting of OMWD and TECC representatives, supported by a 7-member Citizen Advisory Committee, selected the final design for the new Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Interpretive Center. Construction is expected to commence in early 2008. The Capital Campaign continues to bring in important funding to ensure the success of this exciting project -- we need your support! Click link for architectural drawings and watercolor painting.		TECC Membership We invite you to join the growing numbers of concerned citizens who are helping TECC help the environment. Join Today! In addition to our informative The Watershed Voice newsletter issued quarterly, all members receive an attractive membership window sticker, and TECC-monogrammed visor caps and Eagle Creek day packs are available. Click the links above for details.
		(click for larger image of your next car) This 2003 BMW X5 SUV could be yours! 64K mi/100K mi warranty. 3.0 liter. Class 3 hitch. Gray Green color. Leather interior Through the generosity of the Claudia and Tim Costanzo family, this beautiful vehicle has been donated to TECC to be auctioned to the highest bidder. Proceeds will benefit the Interpretive Center campaign. Get complete specifications and make your bid today by visiting the TECC web site, or calling the office. The current highest bid is posted on the web site, starting at $20,000. Remember, TECC is a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible charity, so be enthusiastic in your offers!
		Purchase a jar of TECC honey at Elfin Valley Nursery and Sunshine Gardens Encinitas Honey is great on your morning oatmeal, in a cup of tea, or for cooking. TECC honey is produced by local bees who collect pollen in the Escondido Creek Watershed. 100% of the recommended $5 donation benefits TECC. Honey jars are now available at two locations: Elfin Valley Nursery Corner of Elfin Forest Lane and Elfin Forest Road Open Tues - Sat, 8:30 - 4:00 760.744-8922 Sunshine Gardens Encinitas Corner of Encinitas Blvd. and Quail Gardens Dr. in Encinitas, CA. Near Quail Botanical Gardens. Open Mon - Sat, 7:00 - 5:00 Sun, 9:00 - 4:00 760.436.3244
		Regional Events Calendar
Subscribe to e-TECC	"Protecting the Escondido Creek watershed since 1991"