The Earth Discovery Institute (EDI) began in 2001 as an environmental education program
of the Endangered Habitats League (EHL) at Crestridge Ecological Reserve.

In 2008, EDI became a free-standing non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, conducting environmental
education programs at Crestridge Ecological Reserve as well as at other locations in San Diego County.

The Earth Discovery Institute also develops and implements volunteer and interpretive programs to
support conservation and environmental stewardship throughout southern San Diego County.

MISSION

The mission of the Earth Discovery Institute is to conduct innovative, effective science education and
conservation stewardship programs that are integrated with science-driven ecological conservation.

WHERE WE ARE

EDI conducts education, restoration and community outreach activities at Crestridge, a 3,000-acre
ecological reserve in the foothills of eastern San Diego County as well as at several other locations
(link word ‘locations’ to location page) in the county for various government and non-profit organizations.

Crestridge is located between the communities of El Cajon and Alpine, just south of interstate 8. This nearly
3,000 acre reserve is owned by the California Department of Fish and Game and managed by the Endangered
Habitats Conservancy.

  Our Locations Map                       Google map to Crestwood

 

WHAT WE DO

Science-focused Environmental Service-Learning: 3,500 students annually learn grade- level science
curriculum through hands-on, land-based learning in small groups. Follow-up projects integrate knowledge
with a sense of empowerment and social responsibility.

Community Education and Outreach: Volunteer environmental stewardship events and weekly volunteer teams
in two locations, conservation interpretive activities involve citizens directly in their local conserved lands.

Quarterly newsletters and annual fire safety information for wildland-urban interface neighbors inform over 1,000
supporters about their nearby conserved lands and how to keep them healthy. Crestridge Reserve Rangers
volunteer patrol and Crestridge Eyes on the Land reporting system involve recreation users of this reserve in
keeping the land managers informed about safety and habitat issues.