The Ramona grasslands, west of the town of Ramona, feature habitat that has all but disappeared in the county. Its vernal pools, alkali playas, and native grasses make this an exceptional part of the natural heritage of San Diego. Many rare animals and plants 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 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 of San Diego and The Nature Conservancy have developed a biological management and monitoring plan. In cooperation with the community of Ramona and neighbors of the preserve, this partnership is working to enhance the health of the preserve and make it available to this and succeeding generations.
This project is also in collaboration with the North County Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP), a 50-year County of San Diego plan to protect parks and open space. The goal of the MSCP is to maintain and enhance biological diversity in the region and maintain viable populations of endangered, threatened, and key sensitive species and their habitats. For more information about MSCP, please visit www.mscp-sandiego.org.
To find out more about the Ramona Grasslands protection and restoration project, go to this page.
To find out about Ramona Grasslands environmental documents, go to this page.
The Ramona Grasslands is in a watershed. But you also live in a watershed, just as the plants and animals of the grasslands do. We all live in a watershed. A watershed is the area that drains into a river, lake, or bay. What you do at home and work affects everyone in your watershed -- plants animals, and people. Most people think businesses cause pollution -- but just as often it's residents, like you and me. The good news is that there are some simple things we can do to clean up our act. Log on to learn about how to keep your watershed clean at: www.sdcounty.ca.gov/dpw/watersheds.
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