Saving the Cactus Wren

The photos of cactus wrens and a cactus wren nest below were taken 7/1/08 by SDRP Ranger Jake Gibbs on the north shore of Lake Hodges with a Nikon D40 and 70-300 mm telephoto lens.

62%, or 45,000 acres, of the River Park was within the Witch Fire burn area.  Most of the Park's chaparral (77%) and coastal sage scrub habitat (86%) both of which supported special status animal and plant species, was severely damaged. The conserved lands around Lake Hodges and in San Pasqual Valley have been core population strongholds for gnatcatchers and cactus wrens in San Diego County, supporting 235 pairs of gnatcatchers and 90 pairs of wrens in the 1990s.  As a result of the fire, we are facing the very real potential for local extirpation of populations of gnatcatchers and cactus wrens, 2 of the 3 focal species initially prioritized by the State of California's Natural Community Conservation Program (NCCP) in Southern California.  Fortunately, local, state and federal agencies have made habitat recovery for these species a priority.  Working with our partner, the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy, substantial grants have been obtained from The San Diego Foundation, US Fish & Wildlife Service Partners for Wildlife program, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service for restoration of cactus scrub habitat and invasive species removal.  A grant from SANDAG's Transnet Environmental Management Program (EMP) has also been received.  Partnerships with the Conservation Biology Institute and the Urban Corps of San Diego have enhanced these grant programs.  The primary area of focus is Bernardo Mountain and San Pasqual Valley. We are dedicated to making a vigorous, ongoing effort to restore the habitat of the endangered and threatened wildlife of the San Dieguito River Valley.

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