HABITAT PROTECTION

AND CONSERVATION

Since its founding in 1991, The Back Country Land Trust (BCLT) has preserved and managed thousands of acres of San Diego’s backcountry. BCLT’s mission is to preserve rural, scenic, biological and cultural lands in eastern San Diego County for future generations. Protecting these lands benefits the community by providing environmentally sustainable land use, conserving wilderness and wildlife habitat, minimizing fire hazards and safeguarding clean air and water.

OUR MISSION

BCLT

MOUNTAIN EMPIRE

BCLT's goals for the Mountain Empire properties are to establish habitat management approaches that will sustain biological resources and provide for the long-term maintenance, preservation and enhancement of the land.

BCLT's properties in Potrero and Campo will be retained indefinitely in their natural conditions. Activities on the properties are focused primarily on the preservation, restoration and enhancement of native species and their habitats.

WILDLIFE PROTECTION

Wildlife: BCLT performs numerous ongoing studies to determine wildlife presence and species condition throughout the Mt. Empire properties. Studies include wildlife surveys conducted by permitted biologists, suitable habitat allocation, mapping and in-depth land management planning analysis.

Vegetation : All vegetation across Mt. Empire properties are surveyed and mapped for type, quality and quality using regional monitoring methods developed by SANDAG’s San Diego Management and Monitoring Program (SDMMP) for vegetation analysis and management planning.

SPECIES CONSERVATION

Andrew Borcher

Vernadero

LAND
MANAGEMENT

BCLT managers maintain frequent and consistent presence on the properties while building stewardship ties with the community.
Property access is monitored through a combination of signage, physical barriers, inspections, communication with law enforcement agencies, and public information.
Roads are either maintained for management activities or decommissioned and revegetated.
Invasive species are identified and controlled using the most effective and eco-friendly methods available.
Fire and safety plans are implemented to protect people, wildlife and properties.
Habitat assessments and restoration activities keep native plants healthy.
These are just some of the many critical measures taken to protect the sensitive habitats and species of BCLT's Mt. Empire properties.