Escondido Creek Conservancy purchases two properties

1 month ago 1

Hundreds of acres in North County will now be protected by the Escondido Creek Conservancy after the group purchased two properties recently.

The land is in two separate parcels in the unincorporated area between Escondido and San Marcos – one in Harmony Grove and the other in Elfin Forest.

“These acquisitions have been years in the making,” said Ann Van Leer, executive director of the conservancy. “Purchasing and protecting these properties will create new opportunities for outdoor education and community engagement and ultimately ensure the survival of rare and threatened species in the Escondido Creek watershed for future generations.”

The land was purchased with nearly $7 million in state and federal grants awarded to the conservancy in September by the California Wildlife Conservation Board, a state agency dedicated to safeguarding biological diversity and wild spaces.

“Securing funding at this level is never easy,” said Richard Murphy, president of the conservancy’s board. “We are thrilled that the Wildlife Conservation Board recognizes the importance of preserving these vital wildlife corridors.”