Land Stewardship

Caring for community lands

(Photo: Herb Knufken)

The San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy's mission is to preserve, protect, and enhance the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve, it's watershed and related ecological systems.  One of the ways we accomplish this is by protecting key lands in the watershed, managing them for wildlife habitat, and to protect important ecosystem services. The Conservancy currently owns over 60 acres of habitat through fee simple ownership, and holds over 45 acres of conservation easements over private and public property. 

Ways to protect land
Many landowners appreciate their land for its aesthetic qualities, rural feel, and abundance of wildlife.  For landowners who want to make sure their land is protected for their family or for future generations, there are many tools available to do so, and the Conservancy can help.  If a property meets our Conservation Project Selection Criteria, we can work with landowners to reach their conservation goals.

Landowners who want to protect their land and do not wish to retain ownership of the property can work with the Conservancy to (a) donate their property, (b) sell their property as a bargain sale , or (c) sell their property to the Conservancy outright.  In addition to protecting the scenic beauty and wildlife habitat on your land, the first two options have potential tax benefits for the landowner. 

Landowners who want to protect their land, but want to continue to own it, can work with the Conservancy to (a) place a conservation easement over the land or a portion of the land, or (b) donate a remainder interest to the Conservancy that would give the land or a conservation easement to the Conservancy upon the death of the landowner.  Both of these options have potential tax benefits for the landowner.

(Photo: Herbert Knufken)

Landowners who need help managing problems on their land such as invasive species, could benefit from forming a management agreement with the Conservancy.  The Conservancy currently administers an invasive species control program throughout the Carlsbad Hydrologic Unit.  With funding from state and local grants, we are able to help landowners control certain invasive plant species that damage our native habitat and degrade resources for native wildlife.  If you have invasive species on your property, the Conservancy may be able to help you manage them. 

If you are interested in learning more about how the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy can help protect your land and our watershed, please call Doug Gibson at (760) 436-3944 or send an email to doug@SanElijo.org.