Crest Canyon Makes Many New Friends
March 2008 | Leslie Wollenweber

November brought together several residents from the neighborhoods surrounding Crest Canyon with an interest in forming a brand new stewardship group to help maintain this special vegetation community.

Crest Canyon is a gem in the far western corner of the San Dieguito River Park and a beautiful example of the upland habitat that surrounds and complements the San Dieguito Lagoon. Comprising 134 acres of coastal sage scrub and torrey pines, the canyon is home to the coastal California gnatcatcher, a federally designated threatened species. Unique and rare plants grace the canyon as well, including short-leaved dudleya, Del Mar sand aster and Del Mar manzanita.

The San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy began assisting the City of San Diego, who owns most of the canyon, in maintaining Crest Canyon Open Space Park Preserve with a volunteer force many years ago. The results have been dramatic and transforming, allowing native coastal sage scrub habitat to recover in areas where hard-working volunteers have cleared invasive, non-native plants.

This volunteer effort culminated in the formation of the Friends of Crest Canyon last Fall, in partnership with the Sierra Club's Canyons Campaign. Forty-eight locals enjoyed a walking tour of the canyon in September to learn about the special nature of the area and its relationship to the lagoon. Soon after, many followed up by expressing interest in continuing the work of Conservancy volunteers, and the Friends were off and running.

The Canyons Campaign seeks to get local residents involved in the stewardship of San Diego's urban canyons, and 40 Friends groups have been established so far. The new Friends of Crest Canyon, made up of local residents with an interest in maintaining the natural character of the canyon, will continue to help the cities of San Diego and Del Mar with removal of invasives, trail maintenance, habitat restoration and erosion control in the years to come.

Hikers and other nature enthusiasts can access the easy 0.8-mile trail from trailheads at Racetrack View Drive and Durango Drive. The Friends host monthly work events in the canyon, currently on the third Saturday from 9:30 to 11:30am. The group also meets quarterly to discuss organizational priorities and opportunities for public education. To participate in an upcoming work party or learn more about the Friends of Crest Canyon, contact Catie Fyfe at cfyfe@sierraclubsandiego.org or (619) 255-6073.