Area: Encinas Creek Preserve contains 19 acres in the City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California.
Location: City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, CA
Date Acquired: 2008
Acquisition Type: CNLM owns the Encinas Creek Preserve.
Key Habitats: Valley Foothill Riparian.
Species of Special Interest to CNLM: Coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica) and Least Bell’s vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus).
Introduction
The Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM) acquired the Encinas Creek Preserve in 2008. Formerly known as the North County Habitat Bank, the Preserve was primarily set aside to protect wetland habitat for the least Bell’s vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus).
Conservation Significance
This Preserve primarily supports southern willow scrub, as well as coastal sage scrub. It supports two sensitive animal species, including the federally threatened coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica), and the federally endangered least Bell’s vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus).
Our Work
Our primary goal for the Encinas Creek Preserve is to protect the habitats and species that depend upon the Preserve for survival. The primary strategies for protecting these species include removing non-native plant species and monitoring and tracking sensitive species, and restoring habitats. Our monitoring is primarily focused on finding least Bell’s vireo and assessing its breeding success. We also monitor and track wildlife movement through the Preserve as it serves as a corridor for wildlife migration along Encinas Creek.
Public Access
Contact
For information about Encinas Creek or the Center for Natural Land Management, please contact Steve Rink, Preserve Manager at srink@cnlm.org or 760.731.7790 extension 212.