The Escondido Creek Conservancy

Land program expenses are used for managing 3,000+/- acres of conservation land in The Escondido Creek watershed area while also working to save additional land. Lands managed are owned in fee or controlled via a conservation easement or other legal instrument. Expenses include The salaries of our land team, general expenses needed to run The organization, habitat acquisition expenses and habitat restoration expenses. Some expenses are paid by grants and donated funds, and other expenses are paid for by endowments for preserves that are endowed[av1] [av2] . The main purpose of our land programs is fulfilling The mission of The Conservancy to preserve and restore The Escondido Creek watershed.

The Escondido Creek watershed invasive plant control, restoration, and fire prevention program: The project, by The Escondido Creek Conservancy (Conservancy), will address invasive, non-native plant species across The Escondido Creek watershed in north san diego county. It will primarily utilize mechanical and chemical treatment of invasive, non-native plants in nature preserves owned and managed by The grantee, in riparian areas, along 8 miles of Escondido Creek, from upper to mid watershed. It will also treat invasive plants on neighboring, privately-owned lands in order to accomplish watershed-scale control of certain plants and engage The community in conservation. Retreatments and monitoring of progress will ensure long-term maintenance of gains. The work will include cutting with hand tools and chainsaws, painting and/or targeted spraying of stumps with herbicides, replanting with native riparian vegetation in a few selected areas, and working with neighbors for treatment and maintenance.

Our outdoor education programs serve school children and adults in north san diego county. We educate people of all ages about why wildlands and wildlife are important. These programs are sponsored by grants from individuals, or are paid programming provided by schools. The purpose of these programs includes engaging youth with a range of outdoor educational and environmental activities to improve their connection to nature and shape future land stewards. Expenses include The salaries of our education team as well as general expenses of The Conservancy's operations. The Conservancy's education programs help fulfill The Conservancy's vision for The watershed to become a model of vibrant urban communities and viable natural ecosystems thriving together.

Patagonia grant- we received funding under The project called growing The future. We utilized The grant mostly for land supplies. We received $8,000 in november of 2019. Volunteer incentive program- The board started this project in july of 2021 to cover some costs for time of some of volunteers. The Conservancy strongly believes that everyone should have The opportunity to donate their time towards a cause they are passionate about-in our case, individuals who are passionate about protecting and improving The health of our local ecosystems. Traditionally, non-profit organizations depend on volunteers, interns, in-kind work, and grants to stay afloat and run projects for The communities they serve. While we are eternally grateful for The community members that donate services, time and/or money, it remains true that there are some people who are passionate about nature but are constrained from volunteering due to financial feasibility. With this in mind, a Conservancy board member made a donation to help establish The Conservancy's volunteer incentive program (v.i.p. ), an annual gift dedicated to helping those with The desire to volunteer, but with financial limitations. With this initiative, The Conservancy seeks to be more inclusive, and make volunteering a possibility for all. Elfin forest community foundation grant- received $1,023.07 to be used for trail tools for The land team only.