The San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy (SDRVC) expands awareness of the value of the San Dieguito River Park through its conservation, education and recreation programs. CONSERVATION We partner with many agencies to restore habitat throughout the San Dieguito watershed at Bernardo Mountain, Crest Canyon, the Lagoon Pond adjacent to the San Dieguito Lagoon/Estuary complex, Lake Hodges, the Del Dios Gorge and Santa Ysabel West. EDUCATION More and 180 people of all ages participate in our Citizen Science Program. They conduct argentine ant, plant, and bird surveys and track wildlife. In April 2015, the San Dieguito Watershed Explorers Program (WEP) began. We partner with the Volcan Mountain Foundation, San Dieguito River Park and San Diego Archaeological Center to teach students about the watershed is and why its health is important for wildlife, plants, water supply and quality. Students develop an appreciation for nature. RECREATION SDRVC works with willing landowners to complete the Coast to Crest Trail (CTC), a multi-use recreational trail for the hikers, bikers and equestrians. SDRVC is making every effort to secure critical connections at Osuna Valley, Lusardi Creek, Pamo Valley and Lake Sutherland. REI chose SDRVC to benefit from its “Every Trail Connects” funding drive, raising $43K for the CTC. But there is still much to do! In 2015, the Coastal Commission voted to remove the San Dieguito Lagoon Boardwalk. SDRVC led the Boardwalk Brigade (200 supporters) to rally against its removal. In April 2015, the Coastal Commission, SDRVC and River Park made an unprecedented compromise to retain 600 feet of the boardwalk and secure a key segment of the Coast to Crest Trail. SDRVC and the City of Del Mar raised more than $450,000 to extend the River Path Del Mar to open in May 2016. SDRVC has developed robust strategies to grow SDRVC and ensure its relevance in the future.