Area: 109 acres
Location: Oceanside, Fallbrook and Valley Center, San Diego County
Date Acquired: 2009
Acquisition Type: CNLM holds a conservation easement as well as a long-term agreement to protect the imperiled species and their habitats on the preserve. The preserve is owned by third party.
Key Habitats: Valley Foothill Riparian, Coastal Scrub and Mixed Chaparral.
Species of Special Interest to CNLM: Arroyo toad (Anaxyrus californicus) , Coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica) and Least Bell’s vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus)
Introduction
The Rosemary’s Mountain Preserve was created as mitigation by Granite Construction for the Rosemary’s Mountain Quarry project in the City of Fallbrook. The Preserve has three distinct units separated by many miles. The Granite Rocks area is 78 acres located near Valley Center; the Arroyo Toad area is approximately 14 acres in Fallbrook; and the North River area is approximately 17 acres in Oceanside. The Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM) accepted conservation easements and full management responsibility over these areas in 2009.
Conservation Significance
The North River area protects southern willow scrub habitat and least Bell’s vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus). The Arroyo Toad area protects southern willow scrub and transitional coastal sage scrub habitat to provide critical upland habitat for the arroyo toad (Anaxyrus californicus). The Granite Rocks parcel protects coastal sage scrub and chaparral habitat for the coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica).
Our Work
CNLM is responsible for management of the Rosemary’s Mountain Preserve. The North River area has been restored from fallow agriculture and disturbed habitat to southern riparian forest and the Arroyo Toad area has been restored from fallow agriculture to mule fat scrub and transitional sage scrub habitats. The Granite Rocks parcel is predominantly high-quality chaparral and sage scrub habitats. CNLM management activities include regular patrols, nonnative plant removal, biological monitoring of sensitive species, and monitoring for conservation easement compliance.
Public Access
Due to the vulnerability of the species and habitats that exist on this preserve, it is not open to the public.
Contact
For information about Rosemary’s Mountain or Center for Natural Lands Management, please contact Preserve Manager, Steve Rink, at 760.731.7790 extension 212 or email srink@cnlm.org.