Skip to main content

Habitat

Conserving habitat in San Diego County is crucial for protecting its diverse wildlife, including endangered species like the Quino checkerspot butterfly and the coastal California gnatcatcher. Habitat preservation supports biodiversity, enhances ecosystem services such as air and water purification, and promotes sustainable agriculture by protecting essential pollinators. Additionally, maintaining natural spaces helps reduce wildfire risks, improve climate resilience, and safeguard local communities from extreme weather events. By encouraging landowners to create and sustain pollinator-friendly habitats, conservation efforts ensure long-term ecological and agricultural sustainability in the region.

Wildland burned by fire.

NRCS Post Fire Disaster Recovery Assistance Program

Working with the local NRCS office in Escondido, Mission RCD supports post-wildfire habitat restoration to improve the health and productivity of burned lands and reduce the threat of wildland fires. Technical assistance to landowners includes assessing and as possible mitigating wildfire damage, coordinating field assessments, identifying potential Emergency Watershed Protection projects, and providing outreach and education on NRCS programs related to fire resiliency, environmentally sensitive vegetation management, and watershed and wildland health.

Removal of invasive weeds.

SANDAG Environmental Mitigation Program 

With funding from SANDAG, Mission RCD successfully in reduced and controlled several non-native, invasive plants in the Santa Margarita and San Luis Rey watersheds. Invasive weeds threaten the viability of watersheds by outcompeting native plants, rerouting and impeding water flow, and providing fuel for wildfires. Mission RCD and our partners removed invasive non-native plants and restored native riparian habitat to improve biodiversity and reduce flood and fire risk.