Land Acquisition Donations
Help Acquire At-Risk Open Spaces
The Open Space Acquisition Fund is used to purchase and forever conserve at-risk properties. Privately owned pristine open space near the Cleveland National Forest that wildlife depend on to survive. Will you help us raise the $50,000 that is needed?
Celebrating successes from 2024!
2024 was a banner year! We are in the process of completing our 4th property acquisition! Each project included multiple properties. But this means that our Acquisition Fund is depleted.
Recently, we learned of more properties that may be coming on the market. Before we can proceed we must pay off the loan and start rebuilding the Fund. $50,000 is needed!
Your donation can make the difference!
About the open space acquisition fund
The upper reaches of the San Diego River Watershed are recognized as one of the most biodiverse places in the United States. Much of this land is privately owned, and therefore, at risk of being sold. New owners will often build new structure which greatly impact wildlife. You can help conserve this vital area so wildlife has room to roam. In doing so, you can help ensure this globally significant ecoregion thrives.
Current areas of focus:
- South Rim
- Cuyamaca Corridor
- El Cajon Mountain
- Wild Creeks: the many tributaries of the upper San Diego River are key wildlife areas. Important for not only aquatic species but also vital wildlife movement corridors. Whenever a private property becomes available, we evaluate the value it is for wildlife and any opportunities for restoring a wild, free-flowing creek.
Give to the Open Space Acquisition Fund
Ways to give
- Make an online donation using PayPal. Prefer to not use PayPal? Click Here
- Make a monthly gift.
- Venmo to sandiegoriver and note that your donation is for the Open Space Acquisition Fund
- Appreciated stock or cryptocurrency.
- By Phone: Call us at (619) 297-7380 (M - F 9AM - 1:30PM) to make a donation with check, bank card, or credit card. We can also answer your questions
- Mail: Print our Land Acquistion donation form and mail with a check, money order or credit card information to: The San Diego River Park Foundation
4891 Pacific Highway, Suite 114
San Diego, CA 92110
Memo: Acquisition Fund
The San Diego River Park Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit. EIN 01-0565671. All donations are tax-deductible as provided by law.
Join the Wildlife Club
Make a Monthly Donation of $8, $16 or more.
Wildlife Club members make automatic monthly donations through their credit card! Your donation is used to acquire land for wildlife, especially large mammals like the cougar.
This is a convenient and easy way of giving! For as little as the cost of a couple cups of coffee per month you can make a significant difference.
You will be invited to all dedication celebrations and receive insider updates on current acquisition efforts.
Monthly donations start at just $8! Your donations can be stopped at anytime.
If you would like to make a monthly donation of a different amount or prefer not to use PayPal, please call us at 619-297-7380, and we can set it up!
Join the Conservation Society
Donate $1,000 or more.
The Conservation Society is a select group of supporters who donate $1000 or more in a 12 month period (or $80 monthly). As a Conservation Society member, each year you will receive invitations for you and a guest to at least two guided outings to learn about projects. When possible a virtual component will be included for those that aren't able to travel to the tour site. You will also be invited to the annual Conservation Society Reception. The 2025 event is already being planned!
You will be given the latest insider information to current acquisition projects with email announcements from the President and CEO, Rob Hutsel.
Call Rob Hutsel at (619) 244-7024 or contact him by email for additional information.
What your support can do
Cougars
Cougars are key to the health of an ecosystem. They need large areas to roam. Without this they are disconnected with other cougars and are forced to enter more urban areas. It is estimated that 90 or fewer cougars are in this sub-population. Cougars love to be along rivers and creeks. The San Diego River Park Foundation has worked for many years on projects to track cougar movement and to use this to target specific parcels that cougars travel through. If these properties go on the market, we strive to buy them before someone else does.
With your support, we can purchase and permanently conserve these key pieces of open space when they are placed on the market for sale.
Eagles
The San Diego River Watershed is considered to have one of the largest concentrations of golden eagles in our county. It is increasingly the home of bald eagles as well. Golden eagles need safe places to place their nests and often return to the same place year after year. By acquiring and conserving these places, such as El Cajon Mountain, the golden eagles can continue to have safe places for their nests. By conserving the land around these areas, the eagles will have places to hunt for food.
With your support, we can continue to pursue purchasing the remaining privately owned properties on the face of El Cajon Mountain and other areas.
Wild Creeks
Many tributaries feed into the upper San Diego River. These tributaries are used by wildlife to move from one area to another. Tributaries often cross private property, and the use and development of these properties can impact the health of these creeks and streams. We seek to save and heal wild creeks and streams. When we purchase a property we will work to remove barriers to the free-flow of these creeks and streams.
With your support, we can purchase properties with creeks and streams, begin the healing process for these areas, and work to permanently conserve and care for them.