2025 Activities of Friends of Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve
Beth Mather, President
Restoration and Preservation Projects
Santa Luz Grasslands Restoration
In 2025 we continued working on 3 major restoration projects. We are now in year 12 of our longest running restoration project, the restoration of the Santa Luz Grasslands in Black Mountain Open Space This is our major volunteer project. This year we held 22 work parties that drew volunteers from many different groups in the community as well as individuals who want to give back. At each event we have from 5 to about 45 people. Considerable effort also goes into additional weed work as we continue to expand the restored area.
Darkwood Canyon
The Friends continued working on the two restoration projects that we started in 2023 in the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve. One is Darkwood Canyon, the small canyon that connects with the main Peñasquitos canyon near Park Village Elementary. In the 3 years we have been working in this area we have made significant progress which you will observe if you hike through the canyon. However, the restoration is not finished. Therefore, we have applied for and received another 3 years of funding from our partners Protect Our Preserves (POPs)
Harrier Hill
The second project that the Friends started in 2023 is at the west end of the canyon in an area we call Harrier Hill and the Fennel Forest. As mentioned in last year’s report, this area had previously been a nesting site for harrier hawks before it became overrun with invasive fennel and mustard. To expand our work on Harrier Hill, we have again partnered with POPs to fund an additional 3 years of work. We will be expanding the treated area as well as improving the native habitat.
Monarch Habitat Enhancement
This year we submitted a grant to the Clinton Foundation to fund a 4-year project to enhance habitat for the endangered Monarch Butterfly. In conjunction with the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve Rangers, we are creating Monarch habitats at the west end of the canyon and in the middle and eastern end. These projects involve weed control and planting butterfly friendly plants native to the canyon. In addition to the milkweed that Monarch larvae need for survival, we will also be planting plants that supply nectar for the adult butterflies. Our thanks to Rich Porter and the Clinton Foundation for suggesting and funding these projects.
Gold Spotted Oak Borers (GSOB)
Several volunteers surveyed the Coast live oaks again this year. We remain encouraged by the results as many of the trees look healthy. We are continuing to treat many of the older oaks. The Peñasquitos and Black Mountain rangers and other volunteers monitored entrances to the canyon during the work and Friends volunteers worked with the contractor spray crew. The Friends covered all the cost this year. We plan to continue to monitor the oaks and adjust the treatment as warranted.
Endangered Plants
The Friends continue to be involved in trying to improve the survival of the endangered plants that are found in our Preserves and Open Spaces. We continue monitoring and doing weed work around plants such as Brodiaea filifolia, Monardella viminea, Acanthomintha ilicifolia, and Ambrosia pumila.
Pampas Grass
There are large amounts of pampas grass in and around the canyon. This is a very undesirable invasive plant. It displaces native plants and creates poor habitats that are low in biodiversity. Pampas grass spreads rapidly; a single plant can produce millions of seeds that can travel several miles. In 2025 we began the process of planning additional control of this invasive species. Aided by maps put together by Ranger Melanie, we surveyed a large amount of PQ Canyon extending from the Poway area to Vista Sorrento Parkway as well as Lopez Canyon. In 2026 we hope to start a program to systematically begin to control this species. We may be contacting some of you whose houses border the canyon to discuss allowing us access and/or to discuss alternative plants if you have pampas in your landscapes.
A bit of fun after a work party to plant natives and dig up a few weeds
New Equipment for Restoration Activities
Thanks to the support of POPs, we were able to fund the purchase a water buffalo. This has allowed the rangers and us to expand our restoration projects. We can now bring over 500 gal of water to restoration sites to help get newly planted native through their first few years in the ground. Thank you POPs! This buffalo has seen much use.
Outreach to the Community
This year the Friends hosted a booth at 5 events. As usual we participated in the Rancho Penasquitos and the Mira Mesa Street Fairs and the annual Arch in the Park hosted by the Archaeological Society. This year we had a booth at Miramar College for Earth Day where we had a lot of interest from the students. A new event this year was the International Dark Sky celebration to raise awareness of the effect our artificial light not only on our ability to see the stars, but also on our birds, insects, pollinators and animals. This is something to think about, especially for those of us that live very near the Preserves and Open Space.
Interpretive hikes are also one of our main activities. This year we sponsored 22 hikes. As always, we are looking for new hike leaders. Please contact me at president@penasquitos.org if you might be interested leading or co-leading a hike.
We also maintain contact with the community via our websites and our quarterly newsletter. We welcome all volunteers. If you would be interested in writing articles for the newsletter, please let us know.
Finally, I would like to thank you all. We appreciate everyone’s support whether it is volunteering or donating to support our projects or giving us access. We hope you will continue to support these activities for the betterment of our Preserves and Open Space.
Friends Booth at the Rancho Peñasquitos Street Fair
