By SDCN Staff
Escondido, CA–The Escondido Creek Conservancy is celebrating 35 years of protecting natural lands, educating youth and families, and strengthening connections to nature across North San Diego County, all while launching the largest fundraising match campaign in the organization’s history.
To mark its 35th anniversary, a generous donor has committed to match every gift made in 2026, dollar-for-dollar up to $1 million, creating a transformational opportunity to double community support for sustained conservation.
The Conservancy is hosting a special Welcome to the Watershed “ridge to reef” anniversary hike series to share the rich history and present impact of the Escondido Creek watershed.
On March 29, the series kicks off on the Conservancy’s Sardina Preserve, near the top of the watershed, with special guest and chaparral expert, Rick Halsey. Rick will take hikers on a storytelling journey of the area, the remarkable ecology of chaparral, and the importance of conserving these natural spaces for generations to come. The event is free but requires advance registration on Eventbrite.
Since 1991, the Conservancy has worked to safeguard the wild spaces and waterways that define the region, from the headwaters above Lake Wohlford through Escondido Creek to San Elijo Lagoon and the Pacific Ocean at Cardiff Reef.
Over the past three and a half decades, the Conservancy has protected more than 7,000 acres of critical habitat from development, saved and currently stewards over 3,500 acres for native wildlife and ecosystems, educated more than 30,000 students through immersive outdoor learning programs, and mobilized hundreds of volunteers to restore and care for conserved lands.
From inland to the coast, the Conservancy’s work spans and connects communities across the Escondido Creek watershed, including Valley Center and Escondido to San Marcos and Elfin Forest to Harmony Grove and Olivenhain to Rancho Santa Fe, Encinitas and Solana Beach–all to protect sensitive habitats, improve water quality, and preserve natural space for the long-term benefit of wildlife and people.
“With continued growth across North San Diego County, this is a pivotal moment to protect the lands and waters that sustain our communities,” said Richard Murphy, Board of Directors President. “This matching gift campaign allows every donor to double their impact for the future of our region.”
Funds raised through the anniversary campaign will help:
● Protect more high-priority lands from development across the Escondido Creek watershed
● Restore native habitats and improve water quality
● Expand equitable access to outdoor education for local youth and communities
● Ensure long-term stewardship of conserved lands
Established in 1991, the mission of The Escondido Creek Conservancy is to preserve and restore the Escondido Creek watershed. Flowing from the mountains above Lake Wolford in Escondido to the San Elijo Lagoon and shores of Encinitas and Solana Beach, the Escondido Creek watershed encompasses over 75 square miles of land in North San Diego County. The Conservancy’s vision is to serve as a model of vibrant urban communities and viable natural ecosystems thriving together.
For more information, visit the Escondido Creek Conservancy website.
