Area: 286 acres
Location: Blossom Valley, San Diego County, California
Date Acquired: 2004
Acquisition Type: CNLM owns the preserve. We protect and manage imperiled species and habitats on the preserve in perpetuity.
Key Habitats: Coastal Sage Scrub, Mixed Chaparral and Coastal Oak Woodland.
Species of Special Interest to CNLM: Coast horned lizard (Phrynosoma coronatum), Orange-throat whiptail (Aspidoscelis hyperythra), Southern mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), Mountain lion (Puma concolor), Delicate clarkia (Clarkia delicata), Rush-lite bristleweed (Machaeranthera juncea) and Engelmann oak (Quercus engelmannii).
Introduction
The Blossom Valley Habitat Preserve was created in July of 2004, when the Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM) received title to this property from the Galey Development Group, Incorporated as part of their mitigation requirement for the Blossom Valley Estates Development. The 286 acre site is located about one mile east of Lake Jennings in the County of San Diego. It forms a portion of the south “wall” of Blossom Valley, which extends from El Capitan Reservoir to Lakeside. The site is very steep and extends from the valley bottom to the ridgeline and Blossom Valley Estates Development.
Conservation Significance
This Preserve is comprised of coastal sage scrub, southern mixed chaparral, and coastal live oak woodland. It supports coast horned lizards (Phrynosoma coronatum), mountain lion (Puma concolor), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and other sensitive species. Prior to the large Cedar Fire in 2003, the habitat condition of the property was very good and resembled mature vegetation communities.
Our Work
After the 2003 Cedar Fire, which consumed the entire property, CNLM began research projects to determine progress of recovery from the fire. We studied areas that had varied fire history and potential grazing history. In addition, we established study plots to evaluate post-fire recovery of all habitat types. Since the fire, most habitat communities have recovered or are on track to recover as expected. A small amount of acreage is not recovering well and is dominated by non-native grasses. Restoration efforts, including collecting seed from plants onsite and propagating in our San Diego nursery, commenced in 2013. Restoration activities also include removing non-native plants and planting and irrigating native plant species in these areas.
Public Access
A trail that leads from El Monte Park up to Blossom Valley Estates exist, is very steep, and is about 2 miles in length.
Download Map(s) of Blossom Valley Summit:
Contact
For information about Blossom Valley Summit or Center for Natural Lands Management, please contact Tobin Weatherson, Preserve Manager at tweatherson@cnlm.org or 760.731.7790 extension 232.
