San Diego Zoo Safari Park Stinknet Management and Habitat Restoration

Cactus-dominated components of coastal sage scrub are the obligate nesting habitat of Coastal Cactus Wren, deemed at significant risk of loss of occurrences in the San Diego Management and Monitoring Program's Strategic Plan for Conserved Lands in Western San Diego County. We aim to remove stinknet, an invasive fire-prone annual plant, from 24.5 untreated acres, and manage the stinknet seed bank in 70 acres of coastal sage scrub in the Safari Park Biodiversity Reserve (SPBDR). Additionally, we will restore 5 acres of disturbed land in the SPBDR in collaboration with the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians and other tribal partners, using a combination of locally sourced, ecologically appropriate, fire resistant, and culturally significant plants. This project will positively impact Coastal Cactus Wren habitat and engage new stakeholders in conservation work. This project is partially funded by SANDAG TransNet EMP Land Management Grant #S1125508.

Habitat restoration
Vegetation Community
in progress
Project Groups
  • SDMMP43 Cactus Wren Conservation Improvement Outcomes with Science Support

Project Focus

Cactus Wren, stinknet

coastal sage scrub

SAN PASQUAL VALLEY

San Diego Association of Governments

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Charlie de la Rosa

Sarah McCutcheon

Charlie de la Rosa

Project Protocol