Take Action to Save At-Risk Open Spaces
Make a Gift to the Acquisition Fund
Local wildlife need help. Sadly, many of the places they live are under threat.
About the Land Acquisition Fund
This fund is put to work to acquire and conserve strategically important privately-owned properties, especially those that are at risk of being sold for development.
These are often properties that wildlife, such as the cougar above, move through using tributaries of the San Diego River. Acquisition also helps protect the river and scenic vistas.
When a property is going to be sold, the Fund allows the River Park Foundation to act quickly. Sometime, even before a property goes on the market! The Fund provides the deposit and other upfront costs. In some cases, it can pay for all the costs! When there is time and more funds are needed, then the River Park Foundation launches a fundraising campaign or applies for grants. The larger the Acquisition Fund, the quicker land can be saved!
Current Priority - Rebuild the Acquisition Fund
Recent acquistions have depleted the Fund! We need to have at least $50,000 on hand. Please give generously as wildlife need your help!
Other Ways to Give
- Give a gift of appreciated stock. Learn more
- 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.
- Venmo to sandiegoriver and note that your donation is for Acquisition Fund
- Make a monthly gift. Learn More
- Mail: Print our form (PDF) 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
MORE DETAILS
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 FOCUS AREAS:
South Rim
Cuyamaca Corridor
El Cajon Mountain
Wild Creeks
Let's Focus on Cougars:
FACT: The Peninsular Range sub-population of cougars is considered unique.
Fact: Cougars need up to 150 square miles of habitat or more.
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.
Let's Focus on Eagles
FACT: :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.
FACT: Golden eagles need vast ranges of open space land to hunt for food.
Golden Eagles are amazing critters. They 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.
We also work to conserve areas along and near the river and its tributaries from the beach to the river's source waters. Some projects require working with landowners; some require us to work with public agencies; sometimes we need to step in and acquire a property. It can take just a few thousand dollars, sometimes a lot more. Your gift could be the difference.. Thanks to thousands of supporters, we have acquired more than 2300 acres of land to date! We have work to conserve many other vital wildlife areas.
More needs to be done. We invite you to join us!
Let's Focus on Wild Creeks
Fact: Many tributaries feed into the upper San Diego River. These tributaries are used by wildlife to move from one area to another. Fact: 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. We will immediately start the healing process and then work to permanently conserve and care for them.
With Your Support
We will take action!
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.
Your donations can be stopped at anytime.
Monthly donations start at just $8!
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!
Donate $1,000 or more and Join the Conservation Society
The Conservation Society is a select group of supporters who donate $1000 or more in a 12 month period (or $80 monthly). Each year, the Conservation Society receives invitations for you and a guest to at least 2 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 (these will re-start in 2024).
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.
As a 501c3 nonprofit organization, your donation is also tax-deductible as allowed by law.
EIN 01-0565671