Since 1991, you've helped The Escondido Creek Conservancy accomplish:
Conservation
From Ridge to Reef.
The Escondido Creek watershed links inland preserves, urban communities, and coastal habitats reminding us that what happens upstream flows directly to the beaches and ocean.
7,000 Acres and counting.
For more than 35 years, the Conservancy has protected over 7,000 acres of critical habitat from development across the watershed region. In addition, we actively steward and restore more than 3,500 acres of conservation land — revitalizing native habitats, supporting biodiversity, and strengthening the ecological health of North San Diego County for generations to come.
Many Communities.
One North County.
One Future.
Protecting the places that make North San Diego County home.
Inspiring The Next Generation of Leaders
Through immersive outdoor education programs, the Conservancy has inspired more than 30,000 students across North County. By fostering curiosity, stewardship, and scientific understanding, these programs are cultivating the next generation of conservation leaders.
Four Priorities.
Lasting Impact.
Help us make our vision a reality.
1
Protecting Our Region Today, For Tomorrow.
North San Diego County is changing fast, and the window to protect what makes it special is becoming smaller. That's why we are focused on acquiring high-priority land within the Escondido Creek watershed before development closes the door permanently.
Our 2026 targets include:
-
San Elijo Hills
-
Olivenhain
-
Harmony Grove
Strategic protection in these areas means thriving wildlife habitat, cleaner water, and open space for generations to come.
2
Restoring Native Habitat & Enhancing Water Quality
We don't just protect land, we bring it back to life. The Conservancy actively restores previously damaged properties so that every species has a place to thrive.
We're focused on:
-
Refurbishing the Mountain Meadow Preserve pond to serve as a Southwestern Pond Turtle nursery
-
Rehabilitating ponds on additional preserves to support wildlife across North County
-
Protecting habitat for beloved native species like the California gnatcatcher and coastal cactus wren
Every restoration project is an investment in the long-term health of our watershed, from the mountains all the way to the ocean.
3
Expanding Access & Equity for Outdoor Education
We believe that access to nature shouldn't depend on where you live. That's why we are building toward a future where more students, families, and communities can experience the outdoors firsthand. Our current projects include:
-
Building a field station at Mountain Meadow Preserve for hands-on student research and habitat restoration
-
Upgrading ADA access and transportation infrastructure so more visitors can safely enjoy our preserves
-
Enhancing the Swenerton Education Center with teaching stations, birding infrastructure, and shade for year-round use
-
Subsidizing field trips and programming for underserved students and schools across North County
Through our growing partnership with the Escondido Union School District Science Consortium, we're working toward a long-term study of how outdoor education shapes the next generation of conservation stewards.
This is a title.
This is a paragraph area where you can add your own text. Just click “Edit Text” or double click here to add your own content and make changes to the font. It's a great place to tell a story about your business and let users know more about you.
4
Ensure Our Mission Lasts For Generations
As we celebrate our 35th anniversary, we are thinking beyond today. Conservation is not a one-time act, it's a permanent commitment. This campaign is designed to protect land, restore habitat, and expand education now, while building the foundation to sustain that work forever. Here's how:
-
Investing in our team, systems, and infrastructure to steward conserved lands in perpetuity
-
Growing our base of annual, major, and legacy donors to create diversified, lasting revenue
-
Establishing dedicated stewardship reserves for long-term land care, monitoring, and maintenance
-
Advancing ecological monitoring partnerships to keep our strategies effective in the face of climate change
Through these investments, the Conservancy will secure not only land, but legacy, ensuring that habitat connectivity, native biodiversity, clean water, and equitable access to nature remain defining features of North San Diego County for generations.
Donation Match Up To $1 Million
In honor of the Conservancy’s 35th anniversary, an extraordinarily generous donor has committed to matching every gift up to $1 million. This transformational opportunity doubles the impact of every contribution, accelerating land conservation, education, and restoration at a critical moment for our region.
Help us make these goals a reality!
Four Priorities