ANNUAL REPORT 2012 - San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy

Welcome from Board of Directors President and Executive Director
In August 2012 we were once again fortunate to experience a significant event at San Elijo Lagoon: the release of seven
endangered Light-footed Clapper Rails; birds that had been carefully raised by people to be reintroduced into their native
salt marsh habitat.
With the release of several breeding pairs, the birds settled into the low marsh cord grass, joining 32 established Clapper
Rails. It’s a testament to the conservation of one of San Diego’s largest remaining coastal wetlands that these birds will be
monitored here, and successfully bred to ensure the continued rebound of this endangered species population.
This conservation event highlights a year of extraordinary accomplishments, in which the Conservancy entered its official
25 Years of Watershed Moments Anniversary with the acquisition of the Gateway property just days before the 2012
New Year.
The Campaign for Gateway Park secured a high-profile north county coastal property adjacent to the southern end
of the Lagoon. For more than 20 years, one of our region’s last stretches of unobstructed coastal views (3.44 acres) was
subject to commercial development proposals until the Conservancy, through the generosity of lenders, acquired the
property. By year’s end, more than 700 community members and businesses contributed to save Gateway Park, providing
a solid base of support for year two of the fundraising campaign.
Our environmental education program welcomed the title sponsorship of SDG&E in a new collaboration of North
County cultural centers, called San Elijo to Escondido Watershed Collaboration. This partnership aims to increase
awareness with Escondido elementary school children about their connection to watersheds through field and
museum experiences.
In habitat restoration news, Lagoon Platoon received funding from Citizens Restoring Coastal Habitat to enhance native
plant restoration with the cultivation of long-term steward volunteers. With funding provided by California Coastal
Conservancy, a communications plan was researched and developed to guide outreach for San Elijo Lagoon Restoration
as it moves through the Environmental Review process and public comment periods.
Now at a quarter century, our membership soars with more than 2,500 people, joined in exploration of the Reserve by
more than 3,800 school children and weekend walk participants.
Not one of these programs is possible without the support of our donors. The accomplishments of this organization
are a tribute to our members for their dedication to protecting and restoring the resources of San Elijo Lagoon
Ecological Reserve.
As the Clapper Rails thrive to the ebb and flow of tides, we share confidence that special places, like San Elijo Lagoon, will
remain protected for community and for nature.
Denise Stillinger
President of the Board
Doug Gibson
Executive Director/Principal Scientist
San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy | PO Box 230634 | Encinitas, CA 92023-0634
(760) 436-3944 | SanElijo.org | info@SanElijo.org
County Supervisor Pam Slater-Price (right) issued a
proclamation on June 19, 2012 for “Denise Stillinger
Day”, (left) in honor of Stillinger’s efforts toward
environmental conservation and education.
Doug Gibson (left) bands an endangered Light-footed Clapper Rail
before the release of several breeding pairs in San Elijo Lagoon in
August 2012. Photo: Chris Mayne
San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy | Annual Report 2012 | Page 2