Area: 108 acres; approximately 104 acres in fee title and 4 acres for sale with irrevocable conservation easement if developed, or added to CNLM ownership
Location: Carlsbad, San Diego County, California
Date Acquired: 2013
Acquisition Type: Center for Natural Lands Management owns the preserve, and we have a long-term management contract to protect and manage the species and habitats.
Key Habitats: Mixed Chaparral, Coastal Scrub, Valley Foothill Riparian
Species of Special Interest to CNLM: Coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica), Del Mar manzanita (Arctostaphylos glandulosa ssp. crassifolia)
Introduction
The La Costa Glen Preserve (or Habitat Conservation Area) was deeded to the Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM) in January of 2013 as mitigation for the La Costa Senior Retirement Facility development. It is located in the southern portions of the City of Carlsbad and supports very high quality habitat. The vegetation is very dense and the terrain is steep and rugged.
Conservation Significance
The Preserve supports coastal sage scrub, southern maritime chaparral, and southern willow scrub vegetation communities. In 2013, five pairs of coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica) were observed. The site also supports the listed Del Mar manzanita (Arctostaphylos glandulosacrassifolia) and several other sensitive species. The Preserve is part of the City of Carlsbad’s Habitat Management Program and represents one of the last and largest remaining stands of southern maritime chaparral.
Our Work
CNLM staff are working diligently to remove non-native plant species, such as Veldt grass (Erharta calycina), which is scattered in open areas within the Preserve.
The Preserve historically was overrun with homeless encampments and weekly patrols are currently required to prevent the homeless from using the Preserve that often leads to destruction of habitat, and increasing risks for imperiled species.
Our goals also include sensitive plant and animal surveys, vegetation monitoring, and wildlife movement studies.
Public Access
Contact
For information about La Costa Glen or the Center for Natural Land Management, please contact Steve Rink at 760.731.7790 extension 212 or email srink@cnlm.org.