Places we Protect
Cielo Azul, 2010: After decades of work by TECC, the 100 acre Cielo Azul property was finally purchased by the County for permanent preservation. If developed, this property would have meant homes on the popular “Way Up Trail” in the middle of the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve. To achieve this milestone purchase TECC worked in partnership with the Conservation Fund, a national conservation organization responsible for preserving over half a million acres in North America; San Diego County Parks and Recreation and Olivenhain Municipal Water District (OMWD). Scott Ferguson of the Conservation Fund brokered the deal, the County was the ultimate purchaser, OMWD agreed to cover the cost to manage the property, and TECC contributed it’s Coler parcel of 45 contiguous acres worth over $1.2 million to make the deal happen.
Bottle Peak, 2010: The California Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB), granted TECC $3.5 million to purchase 418 acres on Bottle Peak, the iconic landmark east of the city of Escondido at the headwaters of Escondido Creek.
Santa Fe Creek Development, 1992: Strong advocacy by TECC during the planning process for this 200 acre project results in 145 acres of dedicated open space – up from 40 acres in the original proposal.
Olivenhain Reservoir Project, 1994: As mitigation for the impacts of dam construction TECC successfully lobbies OMWD to place a conservation easement over 117 acres of wetland habitat along Escondido Creek. As mitigation for the construction of pipelines associated with the dam, TECC proposes and champions the “Small Parcel Corridor”, a string of parcels at risk for development connecting valuable habitat along Escondido Creek to preserved lands in Carlsbad. Wildlife Agencies and OMWD agree, 104 acres preserved.
Villages of Rancho Santa Fe Development, 1998: TECC accepts title and management responsibility for a 21 acre remainder parcel including a portion of Escondido Creek.
TEA Grant, 2000: TECC worked with the County Parks & Recreation Department to secure a $2,000,000 grant for land acquisition within the Escondido Creek watershed. 120 acres preserved, Small Parcel Corridor enlarged.
Coler/Cielo Azul Property, 2001: TECC purchases 76 acres adjacent to the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve with funds raised from the community and a San Diego Foundation matching grant. 31 acres are eventually sold to the County of San Diego as part of the TEA grant program. The remaining 45 acres was donated to the County of San Diego in 2010 as a match for their purchase of the 100 acre Cielo Azul property. In total, 176 acres preserved.
Del Dios Highlands, 2012: TECC plays a key role in the purchase and preservation of the 345-acre Derbas property. The County of San Diego purchased 95 acres and TECC purchased 253 acres which were eventually sold to the County. The land is now known as Del Dios Highlands.
Quarry Property, 2002: TECC purchases an 11 acre parcel at the corner of Harmony Grove Road and Country Club Drive which contains a portion of Escondido Creek. In 2010 and additional 10 acres is acquired resulting in a 21 acre preserve. 2011: 2 acre parcel purchased which is contiguous to the Quarry reserve and allows improved access.
LeRiche Property, 2004: TECC acquires the 10 acre LeRiche parcel along Harmony Grove Road.
Onyx Ridge Development, 2007: TECC accepts title and management responsibility for 59 acre remainder parcel located a confluence of Escondido and Meisha Creeks.
Venzano Development, 2007: TECC accepts title and management responsibility for 37 acre remainder parcel located on Questhaven Road.
Greenlands Preserve, 2007: TECC acquires a conservation easement over the 73 acre Greenlands property located along Escondido Creek on the east slopes of Paint Mountain.
Family Stations, 2010: TECC facilitated the preservation of 119 acres along Harmony Grove Road by purchasing the Family Stations property and transferring it to the County of San Diego.