Type: report

Article abstract: Introduction: San Diego thornmint (Acanthomintha ilicifolia) is an endangered plant species found in clay soils within the County of San Diego. It is an annual herb that blooms between April and June. Surveys were conducted by City staff on April 23, 2003 at Otay Lakes (see attached map). Surveys were also conducted by Friends of Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve (Mike Kelly and other volunteers) at Mission Trails Regional Park, Sabre Springs, Black Mountain, and Peñasquitos Canyon. Monitoring reports for the volunteer survey effort are attached. The methodology and results of the monitoring are detailed below. The goal of the effort was to continue long-term monitoring of San Diego thornmint under the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP). McMillan Biological Consulting conducted baseline surveys in May 2001 for the Otay Lakes population. Previous surveys have been conducted by MSCP staff, Mike Kelly, and other volunteers in Sabre Springs, Black Mountain, and Peñasquitos Canyon. Additional surveys in Peñasquitos Canyon and Sabre Springs were also conducted by Ogden Environmental (1993).