Type: report

Article abstract: The Ramona Grasslands are located in the Santa Maria Valley, west of the town of Ramona in San Diego County. In 2003 the State Water Resources Control Board awarded a Proposition 13 grant to the County of San Diego for the protection and restoration of a portion of Santa Maria Creek and adjacent ephemeral aquatic habitats in the Ramona Grasslands Preserve (Preserve). The Preserve is comprised of a number of properties that have already been conserved or are publicly owned, properties with conservation agreements pending, and properties targeted for conservation. Additional land is anticipated to be included in the Preserve via landowner dedications as mitigation for future development projects (e.g., portions of Cumming Ranch). The Preserve supports many of the unique biological resource values represented in the greater Preserve, provides a suite of important environmental services for the region, and embodies a rich cultural and historic heritage. As part of the Proposition 13 grant project, a variety of field surveys and monitoring was implemented to characterize baseline conditions of the Preserve to inform future management and monitoring efforts. This Baseline Conditions Report summarizes the results of these surveys and monitoring efforts. Management and monitoring prescriptions are discussed in the Ramona Grasslands Preserve Area Specific Management Directives (CBI 2007).