Preserve Wild Poway’s Wildlife News
November 2024
Dear Friend of Preserve Wild Poway,
Fall is here! What a great time to enjoy the weather and wildlife! Last month, five deer were spotted in the Torrey Pines Lagoon. What a sight to see!
In September, Assembly Bill 1889 was signed into law that all cities and counties must include a wildlife connectivity element in their general plan. Deer and other species use wildlife corridors to connect to different habitat areas. This connectivity allows access to food and prevents species from inbreeding. Wildlife movement is vital for the health of our local ecosystems.
Young mule deer in SoCAL
Wildlife corridors on privately owned property can be difficult to protect from development, roads and fencing. The deer spotted at Torrey Pines Lagoon should be able to move freely from Del Mar through Los Penasquitos Marsh Natural Preserve and Lagoon, Sabre Springs, Poway, Ramona and Julian. However, movement is dangerous. Last month a deer was killed on Poway grade. In August, a mountain lion was killed on the 67 highway. We need to do more to protect these vital corridors! In the next several months, Preserve Wild Poway (PWP) will be working to create its new strategic plan focused on protecting wildlife corridors.
Mountain lion in the area -2024
Southern California’s open spaces are disappearing at an alarming rate. We have many native, threatened and endangered species that live nowhere else in the world. As a member of Preserve Wild Poway, you are helping to do more to protect them!
Some Projects Currently Threatening Poway’s Open Space and Native Habitat:
1. Boulder Mountain- 29 acres for sale for development, between 29-110 acres, northside of Twin Peaks, contains 300-500 native plant species, endangered and threatened native species to SD County. Update: PWP is working with landowners and has formed the Boulder Mountain Preserve Trust, working toward preserving this habitat for future generations. PWP also just submitted a grant proposal through Supervisor Joel Anderson's Neighborhood Reinvestment Program to help with initial costs for land acquisition.
2. Meadowbrook Lane- building plans for 16 homes, 26 acres, property surrounded on three sides by Meadowbrook Ecological Preserve, seasonal pond and wetlands, threatened and endangered species. PWP contacted government agencies and environmental groups for help. USFWS came to our aid and contacted the landowner about purchasing the property for preservation. However, the landlord is not ready to sell. Update: There has not been a new building plan submitted since 2021. PWP will continue monitoring this property.
3. Rimbach Road- building plans for 6 homes with 1200 sq.ft. ADUs on 7 acres, the property contains threatened and endangered species. PWP continues to monitor this property. Update: There have been no planning corrections submitted for the boundary adjustment since July 2023.
4. Dorothea Terrace- Building plans for a temple on 10 acres that is pending sale, surrounded by the Meadowbrook Ecological Preserve and open space. In November of 2023, PWP spoke to the city about purchasing this property with mitigation fees. Due to several factors, the city rejected our request. Update: The planning department now has a hold on this project. This sale is not likely.
Preserve Wild Poway is a volunteer group, whose goal is to actively protect our native habitat and wildlife. As a friend of PWP, we welcome you to join us as a volunteer or donor!
Preserve Wild Poway