Keystone Link Acquisition
Key South Rim Property Can Be Conserved
Update: enough funds have been raised to complete this purchase
We have the opportunity to purchase a key property in the South Rim where the owner was considering building a house and road. This construction would have far reaching impacts on wildlife.
This amazing property provides a mosaic of habitat for many wildlife species that move through the area such as the bobcat shown above. Our wildlife cameras have documented American badger, deer, cougar and bobcat traversing the property. The property is located in one of our top priority conservation areas, the South Rim. - a biological and scenic gem near the upper San Diego River Gorge.
Google Map with Property Location
One of the key features is this property's location. It is adjacent to a seep, a seasonal wetland that the bobcat and other species use. The area is also near a larger open foraging area for deer. The Keystone Link Property provides a narrower open area where deer can move through more safely as well as rocks and coastal sage scrub habitat which is preferred by other large mammal species such as bobcat. It truly is a remarkable property and critical to our South Rim Conservation Strategy.
More than 160 people join in to raise the funds needed! Thank you! You can still be part of this effort, as every donation whether it is $10, $25 or more means less funds will be taken from our Acquisition Fund so we can be ready for the next effort. Great news.
Property Elements
- American badger, deer, cougar and bobcat all have used property
- Nearby seasonal wetland used by wildlife
- Provides protected passage for deer
- Engelmann oaks provide shade for wildlife
- Adjacent to other SDRPF conserved properties
- Near Cleveland National Forest proposed Wilderness
- Native grasslands, coastal sage scrub and other habitats
- Within South Rim Priority Conservation Area
- Potential site for construction of house and road
- Near larger deer foraging area
The San Diego River Park Foundation is a 501c3 public benefit nonprofit. EIN 01-0565671.
All gifts are tax deductible as provided by law.
Gifts can also be made by check to:
The San Diego River Park Foundation
4891 Pacific Highway, Suite 114
San Diego, CA 92110
memo: Keystone Link
Thank you to our monthly Acquisition Fund donors, the River Wildlife Club! Your donations provided critical early support.
You can join the Wildlife Club for as little as $8 per month. LEARN MORE
Thank you to everyone who has joined in to buy this land and protect it for wildlife forever!
Jeff Pasek
Simon & Julie Andrews
Phyllis Berger
Jacqueline Bergseid
Andrew Bowman
Susana Bucket
Lorelei Bunjes
Kasey Clark
Patricia & Douglas Coe
Stanley Paul Cook
Sarina Dahlan-Dann
Alan Dawson
Brenna Dimalanta
Mark Dulaney
Douglas Duncan
Norma T& Richard Erth
Elizabeth Flynn
Glorene Franco
Marie Freitas
Emil Friberg, Jr.
Cheryl Friday
Sophia Frost
Conny Jamison
Winder-Steed Fund for
Positive Change at
San Diego Foundation
Anneli Kyner
Howard Zatkin Charitable Fund
at San Diego Foundation
Jeffrey Plapp
Eriak Lawson
Wendell Kling
Corinne Lee
Adam Rohloff
Carolyn Barkow
Michael McGlenn
Anonymous (multiple)
Theresa Acerro
Jeaneal Davis
Richard Miller
Cindy Burrascano
Daniel Beeman
Molly Gee
Mary Giles
Michael Gilligan
Cornelia Gordon
Margaret Green
Pamela Hansen
Susan Henderson
Steven Higgins
Melinda Hill
Kevin Hippensteel
Jodie Hulden
Gregory Hyptopoulos
Eva Jason
Keven Jeffrey
Joel & Terri Johnson
Sei Jim Ko
Fred Kramer
Marti Kranzberg
Keith Larson
Melinda Lee
Katherine Lewis
Kim Liu
Derek Loranger
Tara Luckau
Lars Madsen
Katharina Makarushka
Lori Mendez
Jim Marich
Jodi Masumoto
Emilie Mason
Rob Lavigne
Rita-Maria Kafalas-May
M D McKirnan
James Potter
Dave Brown Coaching
Jennifer Whitelaw
Mary Niez
Alicia Johal
Rob Hutsel, Karen Begin & Alex
Geneva Middlebrook
Ellen Miles
Sally Nelson
Cindy Nelson
Mina Nilchian
Olga Offerdahl
Peggy O'Leary
Randall Padgett
Jenny Parker
Chantelle Phung
Leigh Plesniak
Lauren Rios
Nancy Ross
Laura Sarno
Greg Schuett
Sherry Simmons
Karen Stephens
Erica Sutton
Hannah Tandy
Michael Thomson
Tom Wallace
Becki Wallies
Wilma Ward
Nathan Weflen
Alan & Alissa Weiss
Lia Worrick
Robert Younder
Vickie Church
Rita Vasquez Myers
Joan L. Raphael
Robin Rodger
Lynn & Ken Baker
Vanessa Bill
Daniel Barger
Susan Smith
Mathew Lavery
Mary Gibson
Cherilyn Barbour
Colleen Christensen
Peter Thomas
We are in the process of updating this list of amazing Conservation Heroes. Thank you to everyone!
*If you notice an error in the listing or want to make a change, please let us know. We apologize! We will take care of it right away. Email us at info@sandiegoriver.org or call 619-297-7380. Thanks!
Location: Eagle Peak Road southwest of Julian
Property Location is along Eagle Peak Road adjacent to Mildred Falls. It is shown outlined in red. Yellow properties are ones already conserved by SDRPF. Green is the Cleveland National Forest. By buying this property we connect these properties and strengthen conservation of the area. (Note map is in error! This is 163 acres.) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
Details - Want to know a bit more?
This property is relatively small at about 1 1/2 acres, but as shown in the map above it plays a vital role in removing one of the last remaining developable lands in this portion of the South Rim. The South Rim is located several miles from the community of Pine Hills. It is a ridgeline above the San Diego River near Eagle Peak Road.
But we didn't start our work in this area with the Keystone Link acquisition. Many years ago, we identified this as a key area for wildlife, and area they move through and is often used for raising young. It is a relatively isolated area of private owned lands surrounded by the Cleveland National Forest.
The exciting news is we have successfully conserved more than 50 properties in this area. With each one acquired, we are closer to our goal of making sure this land remains as it is forever.
This property has been on our watch list for more than a decade. It sold a couple of years ago before we could act. After some effort we were able to contact the owners, a wonderful couple who agreed to give us the opportunity to purchase the property. If we don't, they have indicated their plans are to build a house in a couple of years. Not only would this have far reaching impact on wildlife in the area it would also require a new road to be built to it. The impact of the road would really be devastating.
Once acquired the property would be managed along with the other property in the area we have acquired.
After reading this, if you have questions, please let us know. We would love you to join with us to raise the funds needed to take action so this wildlife rich area can be conserved and protected.
If you would like more information, please let us know.
Thank you!
Frequently Asked Questions:
What happens if you exceed your fundraising goal?
Our first priority is to cover all expenses for this acquisition. If there are extra funds they go into our Acquisition Fund to be ready for the next opportunity. We have a nearby property that we may have a chance to acquire!
If successful, when will you hold a celebration?
We plan on holding a celebration next spring. All donors will receive an invitation with details.
Is SDRPF a private foundation?
No, we are a 501c3 public benefit, that means we are a qualified charity, and your gift is tax deductible as allowed by law. Our general operations are supported by our members. Memberships start at $36 for one year of benefits.
I need a little time to get you a donation, is that okay?
Yes! Just let us know the amount and about how long it will take. Call us at 619-297-7380 or email us at gifts@sandiegoriver.org. We have some funds on reserve for just this reason. Thank you
What happens next?
We will be doing our property inspections and other due diligence. If we are successful reaching our fundraising goal and don't run into issues with the property, we expect to complete the purchase in October 2026.