Earth movers in the river valley just east of Interstate 5 aren't building a strip mall. The earth work is part of an $87 million wetlands restoration.

The San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority is the driving force behind planning the two-year project, which encompasses 84 acres between the freeway and El Camino Real.

The San Diego Association of Governments and Caltrans are running the job as part of their 40-year, $6 billion North Coast Corridor Program.

The restoration will introduce a blend of habitats, including open water, low salt marsh, mid-high salt marsh, coastal brackish marsh, riparian enhancements, coastal sage scrub and marsh upland.

The project adds to earlier restoration work completed in 2011 that brought expansive, open-water basins and improved tidal flushing to adjoining areas east and west of Interstate 5. Both phases are designed to create ecosystems that can sustain flooding and future sea level rise.

At the job site, in addition to earth movers, a crane is driving piles to support a small bridge that will cross a future tidal creek.

During construction, Dust Devil Trail is subject to intermittent closure.

The Coast to Crest Trail Challenge is a fun way to explore trail segments throughout the San Dieguito River Park. This year’s "best of" series includes hikes from the first five years. 

The treks take you from scrubby foothills to the pine forest with plenty of oaks and grasslands in between.

Get details online. We'll see you on the trail!

Our awesome volunteers aren't afraid to dig into a project. Especially if it involves planting native plants at the San Dieguito Lagoon.

Del Mar Mayor Dwight Worden and Lagoon Committee member Udo Wahn came out to work.

So did excellent helpers from WILDCOAST and the local chapter of the Surfrider Foundation.

Ranger Hikes

Last month SDRP teamed up with Outdoor Outreach to take a group of kids from Rady Children’s hospital on an interpretive hike around the park. They spent the day at the Coastal Lagoon where Ranger Jose taught about local wildlife, fauna and the history of the land. We look forward to partnering with Outdoor Outreach on more programs in the future. 

Watershed Explorer Program at Sikes Adobe

High Tech High North County 11^th grade students visit Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead as part of the 5 day field excursions through the Watershed Explorer Program. Students learned about the rich history of the area, participated in water quality testing, butter making, crafts and learning about medicinal plants. 

History Presentation

Rancho Bernardo Historical Society Senior Interpretive Ranger Leana and Interpretive Ranger Blanca presented about San Dieguito River Park history at the Rancho Bernardo Historical Society. They presented to a full house and shared park history from prehistoric plant life all the way to present day projects in the park. 

San Dieguito Lagoon Reasearch

Last month, SDRP volunteers hosted researchers Kathryn Beheshti and Rachel Smith who presented on the monitoring and ongoing research at the San Dieguito Lagoon wetland. They shared about how much progress the restoration of the lagoon has undergone and how much was left to complete the goals of the restoration. To attend these presentations and more join our volunteer team! Contact Sr. Interpretive Ranger Leana Bulay for more information – [email protected]

New Sign Unveiled

The San Dieguito River Park JPA staff and Conservancy celebrated a new monument sign announcing the San Dieguito River Park and Lagoon Ranger Station that opened in 2021. Edison International’s philanthropy donated $20,000 toward the sign, which supports community outreach and public education about the San Dieguito River Park’s mission. Shawna Anderson,

Executive Director of the San Dieguito River Park JPA and Setal Prabhu, an SCE project manager for the lagoon restoration project highlighted the strong partnership between the two organizations and the importance of a permanent ranger station for education and long-term

maintenance and management of the restored wetlands, surrounding open space and public trail system.

Dec. 3: Red Nose Run to benefit San Dieguito River Park

Take a really fun run (or walk) on the beach at Del Mar Dec. 3 and support San Dieguito River Park while you're at it. Organizers of The Red Nose Run have chosen San Dieguito River Park as one of the beneficiaries of the all-volunteer, fundraising event.

The Red Nose Run turns 30 this year and kicks off from Powerhouse Park at 12:45 p.m. Dec. 3.