Reidy Creek Restoration Project Begins!

Although we are the Escondido Creek Conservancy, our conservation focus is the entire Escondido Creek watershed, which contains additional tributaries (drainages), including Reidy Creek. Reidy Creek is an especially important tributary because it remains relatively natural, unlike the Escondido Creek—much of which has been lined with concrete within the urban portion of the city.

Enhancing and improving Reidy Creek provides an opportunity to showcase what other creeks in the watershed could become: ribbon parks bisecting the city with beautiful native trees and plants, clean water, and walking and biking trails for local residents.

The portion of Reidy Creek behind the Escondido Police Department has become an area of public safety concern over the last decade due to unauthorized encampments and resultant trash and water pollution. In recent years, the City of Escondido has been working to address these issues. Last year the city and CalFire began a program to reduce non-native plants in Reidy Creek, which has greatly improved the area. This September, the Conservancy is beginning a multi-year program to remove hundreds of non-native trees and plants that are choking the creek and taking up space that might otherwise be used by native plants and wildlife. The Conservancy will also be involving local high school students in the restoration and providing opportunities for local residents to explore and learn about the creek. We’re excited for the upcoming changes for the surrounding communities and grateful to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for funding the project.