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.
Crestridge is home to many 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 Lakeside ceanothus (Ceanothus cyaneus), a rare wild lilac. Crestridge is one of the primary locations for our education program as it represents an upper watershed of San Diego County. This beautiful reserve is open to the public from sunrise to sunset.
Managed by U.S. 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.
Students visit the refuge as part of EDI's education program, and EDI staff and volunteers help refuge staff by contributing to habitat restoration at this site.
Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge is where we host our coastal education field trips. We also host birding events at this site as it provides a great trail to walk and a platform to enjoy the views and spot
birds!
Students are given the opportunity to explore the marsh around the Living Coast Discovery Center and the south end of San Diego Bay at the 13th Street restoration site. Our lessons at this site include educating the students about the diverse wildlife that makes the San Diego Bay such a vibrant and important ecosystem.
Located in the eastern part of San Diego County between Jamul and Dulzura, The Rancho Jamul Ecological Reserve is a 5,600 acre property of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Although this reserve is not open to the public, EDI hosts volunteer opportunities and outreach events on this site. Occasionally, with permission, we also host members-only hikes here! Our Tuesday volunteers often visit this site with EDI staff to support the restoration and scientific monitoring efforts of the California Department of Fish & Widlife, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and other regional agencies and non-profits. Our office is on site, in the historic Daley Ranch House. Students also visit the refuge as part of EDI's education programs!
