Crestridge is located between the communities of El Cajon and Alpine, south of interstate 8. This nearly 2,800-acre reserve is owned by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and managed by the Endangered Habitats Conservancy.
Crestridge contains many diverse and pristine landscapes and habitat types, including mature oak woodlands, riparian areas with perennial streams, stands of mature willow, sycamore, and cottonwood, as well as open woodlands, coastal sage scrub and chaparral. It is home to many sensitive and endangered species, including the California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica), San Diego Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma blainvillii), Orange Throated Whiptail lizard (Aspidoscelis hyperythra beldingi), Hermes Copper butterfly (Lycaena hermes), and the largest known stand of Lakeside ceanothus (Ceanothus cyaneus), a rare wild lilac. Crestridge is one of the primary locations for EDI's education programs, representing an upper watershed of San Diego County. This beautiful reserve is open to the public from sunrise to sunset.
Managed by US Fish and Wildlife Service, this unit of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge is along the Sweetwater River riparian corridor. The Interpretive Loop is along the southeast side of the river and has signage describing the rare and endangered plants and animals supported by the refuge.
This area is the site of both EDI education and community outreach programs. Students visit the refuge as part of EDI's education programs. EDI staff and volunteers also help refuge staff by conducting habitat restoration and hosting interpretive events at this site.
Managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge is the site of EDI’s coastal education programs and US Fish and Wildlife Services offices.
Students explore the marsh around the Living Coast Discovery Center and the south end of San Diego Bay at the 13th Street restoration site. Both sites host the Discover Nature App for iphone and android based devices. Called “Discover Sweetwater” and “Discover South Bay,” these interactive nature-based scavenger hunts teach visitors about the diverse wildlife that make the San Diego Bay such a vibrant and important ecosystem.
Located in the eastern part of San Diego County between the towns of Jamul and Dulzura, The Rancho Jamul Ecological Reserve is a 5,600-acre holding of the California Department of Fish and
Wildlife.
Although this reserve is not regularly open to the public, EDI often hosts volunteer opportunities and outreach events on site. A regular cadre of EDI volunteers meets every regularly on the property to support the restoration and scientific monitoring efforts of California Department of Fish & Widlife, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and other regional agencies and non-profits. EDI's offices are on site, in the historic Daley Ranch House. Students also visit the refuge as part of EDI's education programs.
