Keystone Link Acquisitions
Key South Rim Property Can Be Acquired
We Must Act Fast to Save this Important Area for Wildlife
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. If we act fast, we can save this important movement area that links other conserved land! But we must act fast!
Google Map with Property Location
One of the key features is this property 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.
Gifts of all amounts are appreciated! Every donation where it is $10, $25 or more gets us closer to saving this land forever. Thank you.
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
Updated: 3:30PM on 8/28/2026
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 support is essential to the success of this project contributing $50,000!
You can join the 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!
We will be updating the list this evening
Jeff Pasek
Cindy Burrascano
Daniel Beeman
Rob Hutsel, Karen Begin & Alex
*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. Some times there are unexpected expenses. Funds raised are dedicated for this purpose. If there are additional funds, they are held for a future land acquisition.
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. 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.