For information regarding the Resource Management Plan Update, please click here.
Located southwest of the unincorporated township of Ramona, west of State Route 67, north of Highland Road and east and west of Rangeland Road
ThomBros: 1151-H7
Hours: Currently closed to the public
Phone Number: 619-956-4703
Location Map
Features: Currently closed to the public
Description:
The Ramona Grasslands Preserve is located in the Santa Maria Valley, situated between the coastal mesas and the mountains of the Peninsular Ranges in west-central San Diego County. About two-thirds of what was once an extensive grassland ecosystem in the Valley has been lost to development. The Santa Maria Valley’s remaining grasslands are largely intact, though fragmented by roads and subjected to edge effects by adjacent residential and infrastructure development. The Ramona Grasslands Preserve includes a significant portion of the remaining undeveloped portion of the Santa Maria Creek watershed. The watershed supports a mosaic of habitat types, including native and non-native grasslands, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, oak woodlands, Santa Maria Creek, its adjacent riparian area, and a diversity of unique vernal pools, vernal swales, and alkali playas. Many rare animals make their homes in this area. Stephens' kangaroo rat, fairy shrimp, purple stipa, blue-eyed grass, and wooley blue curls are among the rare inhabitants. Birdwatchers are drawn to the grasslands for the spectacular number of hawks that spend the winter here. Santa Maria Creek, which runs through the grasslands, adds to the biodiversity.
Although the Ramona Grasslands Preserve is not yet open to the public, a partnership of the County, The Nature Conservancy, and the Wildlife Research Institute is currently involved in a protection and restoration project, funded by a State Water Resources Control Board Proposition 13 grant. The County and The Nature Conservancy have developed a Resource Management Plan (RMP) including Area Specific Management Directives (ASMDs) for the Preserve. The County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is currently managing the Preserve in accordance with the RMP which provides guidance to maintain, enhance, and monitor the conservation values of biological resources within the Preserve. The goal of the RMP is to balance the preservation of the natural biological and cultural resources in the Preserve and to be in line with the management strategies of the Draft North County Multiple Species Conservation Program. In addition, DPR is committed to provide passive recreation opportunities within the Preserve that further the development of the Coast to Crest Trail.
In 2008 DPR acquired an additional 3,031 acres within the Ramona Grasslands. With the addition of these properties the Preserve size increased to 3,521 acres. Beginning in 2009 baseline biological and cultural resources surveys will be performed within the new properties and the existing RMP will be revised. In addition, a Vegetation Management and Public Access Plan will be developed for the entire Preserve.
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