Education

SDHC is committed to sharing knowledge about local ecosystems and the plant and animal species that inhabit these natural areas through interactive and educational experiences. It is our goal for everyone to appreciate the value of open space lands and to understand how you can help conserved native ecosystems.

SDHC provides hands on learning opportunities to community members through guided field visits to one of the many preserve throughout the County of San Diego. Volunteers learn about the biological resources found within these conserved properties, as well as the focus of management activities and the importance of land management activities. SDHC also delivers educational presentations to students of all ages in the classroom or in the field.

Reach out to [email protected] to learn more! In the meantime, learn more about habitat conservation below.

What is Habitat Conservation?

Habitat conservation includes management of native ecosystems to protect, restore and enhance biological resources, including native plant and animal species, as well as the abiotic components and microorganisms that make up the foundation of these landscapes.

Why is conservation important?
The practice of conservation helps to ensure biodiversity within local ecosystems by providing native plant communities space to flourish and create habitats for animal species to forage, breed, and migrate. Maintaining biodiversity is essential for natural ecosystems to function sustainably, as each species fills a niche within the network of processes that connect different regions.

The connectivity of native ecosystems is especially crucial for the protection of sensitive species, including those listed as rare, threatened, or endangered. These species have become the most vulnerable to extinction due to significant habitat loss and degradation. Improving the availability and quality of habitats will allow for these species to persist and recover.

The ecosystem services provided by natural habitats are invaluable, with benefits such as biofiltration, erosion and flood control, carbon sequestration, temperature regulations, and more. The services from native ecosystems support the species that live in the preserves and provide crucial benefits humans!

What does conservation look like?
Land management entails specific actions to maintain and improve the health of legally protected open space properties. These activities include regular monitoring of the preserve areas, focused surveys for sensitive species, assessments of vegetation communities, detection and removal of invasive plant species and pests, prevention and remediation of trespasser impacts, and educational outreach with neighboring communities. This work requires efforts from experts experienced in a variety of biological skills and disciplines, as well as engagement and support from the public.

How can you be a conservationist?
There are endless things that every one of us can do to help maintain the health of our native ecosystems. By learning about your local habitats, you will learn to appreciate the intricacy and beauty of species interactions and the diversity of living organisms.

Here are some things you can do to be a responsible conservationist:

Spend more time in nature and learn about local species
Stay on designated trails and keep your pets out of natural areas
Do not feed wildlife, especially near your homes
Plant native species in your yards and avoid planting nonnative and invasive plants
Avoid using poisonous chemicals (such as rodenticides and insecticides) near open space areas
Volunteer to help with your local land trust!

Learn On Your Own

Everyone is capable of being a conservationist, but whether you want to work in the industry or become a citizen scientist, the tools are out there! Here are some resources for anyone to become a land steward.

bROCHURES

Native Ecosystems:

Other Conservation Information: