Oceanside CA— After more than 12 years of planning and negotiating, Sierra Ridge Open Space Preserve, in the City of Oceanside is now under easement and will permanently preserve 36.2 acres of habitat crucial to the survival of native species in San Diego County. San Diego Habitat Conservancy (SDHC) is the Iong-term manager of the preserve responsible for stewardship of the site in perpetuity. The preserve is located south of Mission Avenue between Old Grove Road and Mission Gate Drive.
The preserve area was set aside as mitigation for development of the Sierra Ridge residential development. As part of a restoration effort which began in 2004, a 0.23-acre portion of the site was restored from disturbed habitat dominated by non-native species to high quality wetland habitat, a native habitat type critical to the survival of many sensitive species. The site is primarily comprised of coastal sage scrub and restored wetland.
Several sensitive species can be found on-site, including thread-leaved brodiaea and coastal California gnatcatcher. In order to protect these habitats and species, public access to the preserve will not be allowed.
SDHC staff will visit the preserve on a regular basis to assess its status, monitor changes in habitat quality and composition, and perform weeding efforts in order to keep invasive plants in check. Every effort will be taken to ensure the valuable native resources on-site are allowed to thrive.
SDHC was established in 2000 and manages a number of open space easements throughout the San Diego region, preserving and managing sensitive habitat and species that are unique to our Southern California environment. SOHC strives to share our knowledge and appreciation of our natural environment with the San Diego community, encouraging participation in the stewardship of our region’s precious open space. The mission of SOHC is to conserve and manage sensitive habitats and species while inspiring land stewardship through education and outreach.
For more information San Diego Conservancy Preserves visit http://www.sdhabitat.org/preserves/preserves.html