2024 ANNUAL REPORT
Since time immemorial, the San Diego County region has been the home of the Kumeyaay, Luiseño, Cahuilla, and Cupeño Native people. We acknowledge that people have come before us and lived with care and respect on these lands. We recognize that we are now on the lands of these indigenous people who are still here and will always be. We honor the Indigenous people living today as well as their ancestors, and we deeply respect their resilience and connection to the land.
2024 IN REVIEW
At the Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County, our vision is: Leading and innovating environmental stewardship for future generations.
We apply this lens to all the work we do, knowing that actions taken now can have lasting impacts. While we always strive for continuity and sustainability in our programs, sometimes we must make changes, and they are not always easy. In the latter half of 2024, we grappled with the difficult decision of whether the RCD could continue to steward Wild Willow Farm. Ultimately the Board elected to terminate its lease of the property, effective June 2025. While the RCD will no longer manage the farm, we remain committed to farm-based education and are working on how best to continue offering educational programs where people can gain hands-on farming experience.
We know the huge impact the Farm has had on the community. We are grateful for the support of the community over the years and are proud to be a part of the Wild Willow Farm legacy. Some farm highlights of 2024 include harvesting our first produce order for Sweetwater Union High School District, hosting a fun and successful Fall Festival to celebrate the Tijuana River Valley with many partners in the area, and bringing over 1,000 students from San Diego schools to experience the farm.
Highlights from our other program areas include supporting agricultural producers with disaster relief funding, forming a garden committee at the Tijuana River Valley Community Garden to engage garden members in garden management, hosting a meeting of the Governor’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force, working towards more regional collaboration and grant management around wildfire resilience, getting more pollinator habitat on the ground at farms around the County, and offering dozens of workshops, classes, and presentations for San Diegans of all ages.
Our programs would not be possible without our amazing and hard-working staff, our committed Board, and our valued partnerships with agencies, non-profits, tribes, and other RCDs.
As an RCD, we pride ourselves as being nimble and adaptable. We look forward to continuing to grow as a team and organization in 2025 despite the changes ahead. This year, we will embark on a new round of strategic planning and continue to evolve our programs to meet the needs of our changing environment.
Ann Baldridge, RCDGSDC Executive Director
WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO
Protecting, conserving, and restoring natural resources across 1.8 million acres, the Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County (RCDGSDC) is a non-regulatory Special District organized under Division 9 of the California State Public Resources Code. The RCDGSDC administers programs to restore and protect San Diego County watersheds, increase wildfire resilience in our communities and landscapes, support farmers and ranchers with technical assistance, and revitalize pollinator habitats. As stewards of the regional environment, we partner with a diverse group of landowners, public and private institutions, and concerned citizens to address the diverse conservation and environmental concerns that are unique to San Diego County.
OUR SERVICE AREA
• 1,847,300 acres or 2,886 square miles San Diego County
• Population: 3.1 million
• Fifth highest populated county in US
• 13th largest agricultural economy
• Largest number of small farms (more than 4,000) in US
San Diego County
• San Diego has the largest number of part-time farmers
• Second largest number of farms with women as principal operator
RCD of Greater San Diego County
Upper San Luis Rey RCD
RCD of Greater San Diego County Sphere of Influence
Mission RCD
• Adjacent to 18 federally recognized Tribal Nation Reservations
• Topography: San Diego is considered a biodiversity hotspot. It is home to more than 30 vegetation communities as well as hundreds of rare plant and animal species
• Encompasses mountains, deserts, forest, and coastal resources
• Includes 11 watersheds with streams, rivers, sloughs, lakes, beaches and bays, as well as urban, agricultural, and suburban areas
OUR HISTORY - 1940’S TO TODAY
OUR HISTORY — 1940’s TO TODAY
1935
Soil erosion, dust storms, and floods sweep the nation. In response, the Soil Conservation Service is formed in the US Agricultural Department.
1937
FDR writes state governors encouraging legislation to allow landowners to form Conservation Districts.
1930’s
Farmers around the nation organize soil conservation districts to work with the new Soil Conservation Service.
1940’s
California’s Soil Conservation Districts are formed. San Diego originally had 13 districts.
1970’s
The district’s name is changed to the “Resource Conservation District” as it takes on new challenges like wildlife habitat loss, invasive spercies, water and air pollution, and diminishing air and water quality.
1995
District consolidations result in the formation of the Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County.
2000’s
There are currently 95 RCDs within California and 3,000 nationwide, accomplishing tens of thousands of practical, hands-on conservation projects every year.
We currently serve a population of 3.1 million people, in a territory that spans 1.8 million acres. The region includes miles of coastline, mountains, forest, deserts, and hosts the largest number of small scale farms in the nation.
Financial Information
Our District’s programs, projects, and services are primarily funded by local, state, and federal grants and donations. In addition, we receive income in the form of lease rentals from the Tijuana River Valley Community Garden and the Sweetwater Community Garden, and fees from workshops, courses, field trips, and flower sales at Wild Willow Farm, which we manage. The RCDGSDC receives annual tax apportionment funds allocated from the countywide 1% property tax revenue (assessed land values only). We conduct annual financial audits by an independent auditing firm. Our most recent audit, covering fiscal year 2023-2024 was conducted by Nigro & Nigro PC. This audit and previous audits can be found at our website (https:// www.rcdsandiego.org/district-transparency). Our audits show the RCDGSDC to be solvent and stable.
$6.9M
At the close of 2024, The RCDGSDC was managing 40 grants totaling more than $6,901,625.
$469K
Total Tax Assessment dollars deposited to the District: $469,752 (vs $443,728 in 2023)
$5.37M
Total Net Assets of the District for 2024: $5,379,123 (vs $4,746,830 in 2023)
$1.7M
Operating Budget
2023-2024: $1,714,583
$1M
Net Assets not invested in buildings, land or equipment (i.e. unrestricted assets): $1,091,643 (vs $889,100 in 2023)
$1.6M
Operating Budget
2024-2025: $1,625,678
Community Gardens
Community Gardens
The RCD manages two South San Diego community gardens: the Tijuana River Valley Community Garden (TRVCG) and the Sweetwater Community Garden. The gardens comprise 29 acres of land in total – 25 at TRVCG and four at Sweetwater.
For over two decades the TRVCG has been serving the residents of the South Bay, offering them the ability to grow fresh produce for themselves and their families. The garden includes 210 plots that are rented to residents and 10 quarter acre plots for small-scale farmers who want to start their own farm business. Garden plots are in high demand, with a waitlist of over a year for a plot. We unfortunately experienced another massive flooding event in January 2024 that damaged our roads, gardens, and farms. With factors like climate change and water contamination in the Tijuana River, these floods cause huge hurdles to our staff and gardeners. We were grateful to receive state relief funding to perform road repairs after the flooding.
TRVCG’s sister garden in Bonita, the Sweetwater Community Garden, opened in 2019 and offers 200 garden plots to residents from neighboring communities. The garden is thriving and plots are available for the local community.
GARDEN SPOTLIGHT
With support from the San Diego Foundation’s Community Food grant, we began the development of community driven leadership at the TRVCG through the creation of a garden committee. At the start of the year, we surveyed gardeners’ needs to understand what projects and policies were most important to them. We developed a committee structure that included participation stipends, then opened applications for committee membership. We were looking for gardeners willing to meet monthly and serve as garden representatives; seven gardeners were selected. All committee members received conflict resolution training from local facilitator, Studio Nectary, and they have been instrumental in providing feedback on garden policies, community engagement ideas, and supporting staff by taking on leadership roles during annual clean-ups and
volunteer events. In addition to striving for more equitable and inclusive management, we also had a goal to put the “community” back in the community garden. Our team focused on finding more ways to bring gardeners together and in 2024, we organized two holiday potlucks, planted a pollinator garden and hosted our first ever Fall Festival at the garden, attended by 250+ people.
2024 COMMUNITY IMPACT
• Bi-annual Creek to Bay community cleanups hosted 191 volunteers and removed over 31 tons of trash and green waste
• TRVCG – Hosted 6 volunteer events, with 21 attendees, to activate 68 formerly fallow garden plots (30% of garden)
• Sweetwater Community Garden – Hosted Master Gardeners’ Intro to Vegetable Growing Class, where all 10 attendees received a Certificate of Completion; Hosted 45 High School students who volunteered to landscape for 4 hours
Agricultural Technical Assistance Programs
Agriculture is vital to our region’s economy and culture. Farmers and ranchers remain resilient in the face of rising costs and pressures on land for development. More than ever, support for the agricultural industry is critical!
The RCD is committed to supporting farmers and ranchers, with targeted support to disadvantaged farmers. We do this by monitoring soil health and water efficiency, educating about on-farm conservation practices, helping producers plan for conservation, as well as connecting them to funds to adapt their production to a changing climate. We provide technical assistance services on these topics through our agriculture support programs, including:
• Farm resource assessments
• Irrigation efficiency audits
• Application support to fund soil health, irrigation efficiency and disaster relief
• Farm planning for integrated pest management and carbon sequestration
Program Highlight: In partnership with the County of San Diego Department of Planning and Development, the RCD secured $1 Million from the Department of Conservation to fund climate smart agriculture initiatives. In 2025, the RCD will work with regional partners to hire a land access ambassador from California Farmlink, map potential pollinator health projects on working land and demonstrate the water-efficiency conversion of orchards, among other projects.
2024 COMMUNITY IMPACT
• 150 farms provided technical assistance, of which 48% are underserved
• 92 farms visited for technical assistance services such as resource assessments, irrigation testing, grant management, economic relief applications, etc.
• 42 soil samples collected and added to the regional carbon farming database
• 28 irrigation evaluations to improve efficiency
• 16 farms received site visits for services including pollinator habitat, pump tests, farm planning, etc.
• Provided technical assistance for conservation practices on 700 acres
• Hosted eight events attended by 160 participants, of which 54 were farmers or ranchers
• Newsletter subscribers total 300, half of which are farmers and ranchers
• Co-hosted events with more than 18 partners to further agriculture in San Diego County
• Supported producers in receiving more than $350,000 in grant funding
Irrigation evaluation
Southern California Soil & Water Hub
The Southern California Soil & Water Hub is a collaboration between six RCDs: Greater San Diego, Mission, Upper San Luis Rey, Coachella Valley, Temecula Anza Elsinore Murrieta (TEAM), and Inland Empire. The SoCal Hub is part of a statewide network of regional Hubs supporting growers with climate smart farming practices. The Regional Hubs were established through a partnership between RCDs, the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts, and the Carbon Cycle Institute. The RCDGSDC employs our Regional Hub Coordinator, who works within our region and with the statewide network of Hubs to leverage and expand agricultural conservation partnerships and programs to:
• Expand technical and financial assistance programs.
• Foster innovation and development of regionally appropriate climate ag solutions.
• Strengthen collaboration among producers, agencies, organizations, researchers, and policymakers.
• Assess regional needs and opportunities through understanding our diverse agricultural, ecological, and social landscapes.
This year, our Hub Coordinator worked on advocacy strategies, supported agricultural capacity building work at the regional level, contributed to project work across San Diego County, and began working at the state level on plans for sustaining the network of Hubs.
AGRICULTURE IN SAN DIEGO (PER THE 2022 AG CENSUS DATA AND CROP REPORT):
• 4,031 farms, 7,489 producers
• Average farm size 44 acres
• 38,384 acres of irrigated land
• 5,257 acres in conservation easement
• 663 farms practice no till or reduced till
• 262 farms are USDA certified organic
• 3,212 female producers
• 302 farmers less than 35 years old
• 774 have military service
Irrigation evaluation
Pollinator Health:
Supporting Native Habitat on Private, Public and Working Lands
The RCDGSDC supports pollinator health through education, outreach, and in-ground pollinator habitat projects. This year, we focused on working directly with farmers and ranchers to create more pollinator habitat on working lands through our Working Lands for Pollinators program. In addition, we continued to facilitate the San Diego Pollinator Alliance, a network of organizations and agencies working to highlight the importance of pollinators. We also continued to share our native milkweed seeds with individuals and organizations and participated in many community outreach events.
Program Highlight: This year, with the support of one of our Grizzly Corps fellows, we partnered with the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation to serve as the San Diego Regional Coordinator for the Western Monarch Count. She received overwintering site monitoring training and coordinated 20 volunteers for the 25 surveyed sites in our region.
Habitat Restoration
The RCD of Greater San Diego County is committed to habitat restoration, especially along the riparian corridors of our reservoirs and rivers. We address this through grant funded work to collaborate with partners on projects that protect and restore important habitat and overall watershed health.
We are the lead agency on a restoration planning project to restore a 15-acre site in the Otay Valley Regional Park to native habitat. This year, project partners conducted community outreach, drafted a site design, and engaged with the Global Oak Conservation Consortium via San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance to use the site to help conserve two species of threatened oaks.
2024 COMMUNITY IMPACT
• Shared 646 packets of local narrowleaf milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis) to community members and partners
• Participated in 12 educational workshops and community events to focused on promoting pollinator health
• Conducted 12 site visits for Working Lands for Pollinators program; 4 sites selected for implementation
• Served on the Bee City Committee, as part of a regional effort to get San Diego certified as a Bee City
THIS MULTI-YEAR PROJECT RESULTED IN THE FOLLOWING OUTCOMES:
• 5,348 acres of habitat surveyed for invasive plants
• 94 acres treated for arundo, tamarisk and other invasives
• 800 native plants installed along 0.5 miles of riparian corridor
• 64 events to educate the public
• 20 miles of trails stabilized
• Control of 162 feral pigs and 2,206 invasive aquatic organisms
Wild Willow Farm & Education Center
Located in the Tijuana River Valley Regional Park, Wild Willow Farm is a peaceful community space where visitors of all ages can connect with nature, the land, and food. Through regenerative farming practices, the farm focuses on growing soil, produce, and community and seeks to educate a new generation of farmers and land stewards.
2024 was not without its challenges. Flooding in January heavily impacted our spring crops and delayed our summer production. But if farming teaches us anything, it is that we do our best to learn from all experiences and see the opportunities for growth. Despite a challenging start to the year, we cleaned up and moved on, adapting our plans along the way as we continued to welcome the public for field trips, workshops, our Farm School course, volunteering, and events while maintaining a working farm.
Program Highlight: Aided by a state funded Farm to School grant, we developed a partnership with Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) to start growing food for local South Bay schools. We had our first harvest for the students in November and delivered over 400lbs of fresh produce by the end of the year. We also held an irrigation set-up training for students at Southwest High and provided some additional support to help them develop a school
2024 COMMUNITY IMPACT
• We hosted almost 40 field trips
• Co-hosted a wonderful community event, the Fall Festival – more than 300 people attended
• Started weekly produce deliveries for Sweetwater Union High School District in November
• Held 3 sessions of our 8-week Farm School course
• Hosted monthly public volunteering days
farm. In 2025, the RCD will continue to work with Southwest High School to build their farm while training their students to grow food for the district’s cafeterias.
As noted in the introduction to this report, 2024 was our last full year managing Wild Willow Farm. Our lease ended on June 30, 2025, marking an end to Wild Willow Farm’s 15year legacy. The County will seek a new tenant to manage the site and we hope to see the space continue to thrive and serve the community.
Pollinator Health: Caterpillars on native milkweed
Youth Education Programming
At the RCD, inspiring young people to become the next generation of environmental stewards is central to our work. We provide educational programming and resources for youth from elementary through to high school age students. That’s why we prioritize education, equipping future generations with the knowledge and tools necessary to coexist harmoniously with our environment. Our education reach elementary through high school age students.
The Watershed Connection Education Program: Reducing Pollution and Protecting San Diego Bay
In 2024, the RCDGSDC continued its collaboration with the Port of San Diego to educate elementary students on watersheds and pollution prevention. Through a one-hour classroom session, students learn about watersheds and how pollution travels from urban areas, meanders through creeks and rivers, and ultimately reaches bays and oceans. This interactive, science-centered educational program empowers students to take action in safeguarding their local watersheds, mitigating pollution in their communities, and embracing roles as environmental stewards.
As stewards of the earth, we recognize that one day we will entrust the care of our planet to the next generation.
Support for School Gardens
In 2024, the RCDGSDC supported school gardens by offering free vegetable and herb seedlings through our Annual Plant Giveaway in partnership with Altman Plants. When young students are taught to garden it creates a strong connection to the land as well as an understanding of where food comes from and exposure to healthy food choices. Bringing students outside allows them to learn in a tactile way and helps to release stress.
2024 COMMUNITY IMPACT
• Reached about 1,000 students through 43 watershed presentations
• 2500 plants shared with schools
• 7 scholarships awarded
Supporting High School Conservationists: Creating Environmental Stewards for the Future
Each year, the RCDGSDC diligently works to preserve and safeguard our natural resources through a range of programs. However, without a concerted effort towards educating today’s youth, these efforts would be futile. As stewards of the earth, we recognize that one day we will entrust the care of our planet to the next generation. That’s why we prioritize education, equipping future generations with the knowledge and tools necessary to coexist harmoniously with our environment. Our commitment extends to supporting high school seniors with a passion for environmental science and agriculture. Through initiatives such as college scholarships, Range Camp, and hands-on learning experiences, we inspire students to explore sustainability and consider careers in conservation.
Forestry & Wildfire Resilience
2024 was a busy year for our wildfire and forest health programs. The Forestry & Wildfire Resilience team managed 15 grants that funded a range of forest health, wildfire resilience, workforce training, and capacity building projects. We continue to work with our local, state, federal, tribal, and nonprofit partners on many programs, projects, and regional working groups.
FIRE SAFE COUNCIL OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
In its role as County Coordinator for San Diego County, the RCDGSDC facilitates the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County (FSCSDC) to assist residents with defensible space and wildfire preparedness and to support the network of community Fire Safe Councils across the county, which now includes 43 councils.
In October 2024, the city of San Diego experienced the Montezuma Fire, a fire that quickly spread through the canyons and hillsides in a very densely populated urban area. After the fire, the RCD supported Alvarado Estates and Kensington FSCs with a community event to share information about the fire and how communities can be prepared for future events. 300+ community members were in attendance and there are plans to form several new local FSCs near and within where the fire burned.
HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE
In 2024 we developed and implemented the new Home Assessment Program. Through this program, we hope to deepen partnerships with community Fire Safe Councils and fire agencies to target those community members most in need. Countless Fire Safe Councils helped us to promote the pilot program through their email lists, community meetings, and events, and the program was also promoted through banners in targeted communities and through fire agencies. The pilot program was a success – with 636 Home Assessments completed, 279 disadvantaged residents receiving defensible space assistance, and 189 community members receiving curbside chipping services!
Building Regional Capacity for Wildfire Resilience
Regional Forest and Fire Capacity (RFFC) program funding has helped to lay the foundation for increasing the pace and scale of wildfire project coordination and implementation. In 2024, the program also supported our efforts to formalize regional collaboration beyond San Diego County. We participated in planning efforts with all five Southern California RFFC partners for a new and unique opportunity to co-manage regional scale grants for implementation of projects in regional plans. This partnership is called Southern California Wildfire Resilience Partnership and was formalized through an MOU. The first investment in this framework is a $10m regional pilot block grant from CAL FIRE.
The RCDGSDC co-hosted the California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force Southern Regional meeting on April 4 & 5th, bringing representatives from across the state together to learn about the wildfire resilience work taking place in Southern California. Many of our partners’ projects were showcased at the resource fair (27 partners), during the meeting, and through 10 field tours, bringing recognition to the importance and impact of this work.
In 2024 we began a partnership agreement with our local NRCS Field office in Escondido to staff a shared forestry technical advisor. This position strengthens the collaboration
Prescribed Burn
between NRCS and RCD through education and outreach of both agencies’ programs and provides professional forestry technical assistance to clients.
COMBATING THE GOLDSPOTTED OAK BORER
Goldspotted Oak Borer, or GSOB, continues to impact oak trees across the County. In 2024, we continued to support efforts to combat this devastating tree pest. We started a new GSOB cost-share program to help homeowners treat infested trees on their property and hosted a community outreach event in December.
NATIVE AMERICAN CONSERVATION CORPS
We continue to collaborate with CA State Parks Colorado Desert District on this unique workforce development and training program for tribal youth, which aims to prepare participants to enter forest management and wildland fire careers through on-the-job paid training. The third NACC cohort completed its season in June 2024 and the fourth cohort started in November 2024; a total of 18 youth participated in the program in 2024 – most of whom are from local tribal nations.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT: SAVING SAN DIEGO’S LAST MIXED CONIFER FOREST
This project funded through a CAL FIRE Forest Health program grant started in 2020 as a collaborative approach to active fuels reduction and reforestation on Palomar Mountain. Roughly 1,500 acres of treatments have been completed with 5 landowners including USDA Forest
This project will be completed in March of 2025, at that time we will have all acres treated and close out this historic opportunity to work across multiple land ownership types for a landscape scale impact.
GRIZZLYCORPS
GrizzlyCorps is an AmeriCorps fellowship program that connects recent college graduates with organizations working to promote regenerative agri-food systems and fire and forest resilience. In 2024, we continued our partnership with the program and hosted two GrizzlyCorps fellows – one in our Ag Department and the other in our Forestry and Wildfire Resilience Department. These fellows bring their unique skillsets to the RCD and in turn, receive on-the-job training in the conservation field.
2024 COMMUNITY IMPACT
• Hosted 8 wildfire resilience workshops in collaboration with our agency partners and cadre of instructors
• Formalized the development of 3 new community FSCs – for a total of 43 San Diego area FSCs at the end of 2024
• 9 new Community Wildfire Protection Plans established and approved
• 279 disadvantaged residents received DSAP services, 1,735,775 cu/ft of fuels treated
• 189 homes received chipping services; 756,861 cu/ft of fuels treated
• 636 Home Assessments provided
• Roadside brushing conducted in 7 communities
• 10,746 trees treated through GSOB cost share program Service, La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians, Pauma Band of Mission Indians, and two private landowners. Multiple sustainable benefits from these treatments include improved forest health and wildlife habitat, increased carbon storage, and community protection.
Goldspotted Oak Borer damage
RESOURCE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION OF GREATER SAN DIEGO
Expanding the Reach and Impact of the RCDGSDC
The Resource Conservation Foundation of Greater San Diego - a 501(c)(3) non-profit - was created in 2016 to help expand the RCDGSDC’s programs and capabilities. Like the RCDGSDC, the Foundation’s mission is to protect, conserve, and restore our County’s natural resources through education and fundraising.
The Foundation allows us more flexibility in pursuing funding opportunities and supports the work that the RCDGSDC accomplishes. Diversifying our funding sources enables us to better serve our community and bring greater conservation benefits to San Diego County.
In partnership, the RCDGSDC and its Foundation seek funding to restore and protect the county’s watersheds, promote nutrition and stewardship through sustainable agriculture, and revitalize pollinator habitats.
RESOURCE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS
Donald Butz, Board President
Marilyn Huntamer, Board Vice President
Odette Gonzalez, Secretary/Treasurer
Michael McGrath, Director
Neil Meyer, Director
Diane Moss, Director
Maggie Sleeper, Director
OUR FUNDERS
We are grateful for the following funders who support our work
Bureau of Land Management – Good Neighbor Authority grant to support Hermes Copper Butterfly restoration
California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD) - Block grants from the Wildlife Conservation Board, Soil Hub Coordinator, NRCS, and CAL FIRE
California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) – Climate Smart Ag TA, CUSP Economic Relief, Farm to School Program, Conservation & Agriculture Planning, SWEEP, Pollinator Habitat, and Water Efficiency Technical Assistance Program
CAL FIRE - CAL FIRE’s Forest Health Program, as part of California Climate Investments
California Fire Safe Council – County Coordinator Grant funded by CAL FIRE as part of California Climate Investments
County of San Diego - Tax assessments; and Climate Smart Land Management Program (funded by the Department of Conservation)
Department of Conservation - Regional Forest and Fire Capacity (RFFC)
Department of Parks – Native American Conservation Corps program
Hervey Family Fund – support for Wild Willow Farm
National Association of Conservation Districts –Integrated Pest Management TA
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) –Agriculture Support
Port of San Diego – Watershed Education Program
Private Donors
San Diego Foundation – Community Food Grant program
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) - Environmental Champions & Wildfire Funds Program, fuels MOU
United Policy Holders – Listos program
US Fish & Wildlife Service - Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program
US Forest Service – forest health projects
Wildlife Conservation Board – Otay Valley Regional Park
Restoration Planning project
Zero Foodprint - Restore CA
Top, middle and right: RCD staff members
OUR PEOPLE
Dedicated to Serving San Diego County Residents
RCDGSDC BOARD
MEMBERS
Donald Butz, Board President
Marilyn Huntamer, Board Vice President
Odette Gonzalez, Secretary/Treasurer
Michael McGrath, Director
RCDGSDC STAFF
Andy Williamson, Irrigation Technician
Ann Baldridge, Executive Director
Areli Perez, Education Manager
Brian Gallagher, Grizzly Corps Fellow
Chris Kelley, Director of Finance
Codi Hale, Community Programs Manager
Daniela Mejia, Community Garden Coordinator
Elizabeth Garcia, Agricultural Technical Assistant
Elizabeth Valdez, Community Garden Assistant
Ellie Honan, Farm Conservation Advisor
Heather Cady, Director of Forestry & Fire Prevention Programs
Neil Meyer, Director
Diane Moss, Director
Maggie Sleeper, Director
Jo MacKenzie, Associate Director
Joanne Sauerman, Office Coordinator
Joel Kramer, Agriculture Programs Director
John Hendra, Staff Accountant
Kirthana Pisipati, Grizzly Corps Fellow
Morgan Dioli, Fire Prevention & Forestry Coordinator
Paul Maschka, Wild Willow Farm: Regenerative Farming Educator
Rachel Petitt, SoCal Soil & Water Hub Coordinator
Stan Hill, Forestry & Fire Prevention Project Manager
