Calavera Preserve
Planning Area
Access Control and
Habitat Restoration Project
In
June, 2009 the City of
Carlsbad was awarded a grant in the amount of $286,667 from the SANDAG
Environmental Mitigation Program (EMP) for access control and habitat
restoration in the Calavera Preserve Planning Area, which includes Lake
Calavera Preserve, Calavera West Mitigation Parcel, and Carlsbad
Highlands Ecological Reserve. See map.
The project will also be funded with $205,465 of matching
funds from the City, and implemented in coordination with the Center
for Natural Lands Management (CNLM) and California Department of Fish
and Game.
The grant project will consist of three major components, as described below. Project implementation is expected to start in the fall of 2009.
The grant project will consist of three major components, as described below. Project implementation is expected to start in the fall of 2009.
- Access
Control. Access control will consist of the installation
of fencing, gates, signs, and an entry kiosk. Fencing and
gates will be used to direct recreational users towards authorized
trails, and away from unauthorized trails. Unauthorized trails will be
allowed to revert back to native habitat. Signage will educate users
about Preserve rules and sensitive habitat areas. Entry kiosks, which
will provide trail maps and educational information, will be installed
at main entrances.
- Habitat
Restoration. Approximately five acres of non-native
vegetation will be actively restored to native coastal sage scrub
habitat. Coastal sage scrub habitat supports the federally threatened
coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila
californica californica), and numerous other native plant
and animal species. The restoration area for this project is located in
the northeastern portion of the Lake Calavera Preserve.
- Public Outreach. A public outreach program will be developed to educate recreational users about the preserves, native plant and animal species, conservation, and allowable and prohibited uses. In addition, targeted materials will be developed for the surrounding neighborhoods to teach neighbors how to help protect the natural open space lands adjacent to their yards. Guided tours and other interactive activities will also be developed.