Our Purpose
our mission
to preserve the biological integrity of the San Diego River while integrating recreational, educational, and cultural opportunities for youth, seniors, and families.
then
now
Lakeside’s River Park Conservancy (LRPC) was established in 2001 to restore 100 acres of depleted sand mine on the San Diego River. Over two decades later, this restored property now provides critical riparian habitat for over 120 native wildlife species and provides important ecosystem services to the surrounding community.
In a world where almost 70% of the planet's biodiversity has been lost in the last 50 years, the river park is one small example of the type of nature restoration that can truly move the needle back the other way.
The land has been enhanced to provide flood protection, improve water quality, and provide the conditions for life for native species–with two standing ponds and trees and plants which have matured to provide canopy and ground cover. The river park also maintains a 2-mile trail segment of the San Diego River Trail from Channel Rd in Lakeside to the eastern edge of Santee. The trail is currently the primary way for the public to access and enjoy the wild space created by the Conservancy until we fully launch our Field Station in 2026, bringing expanded river-focused learning and gathering opportunities to the community.
The LRPC field crew works in the surrounding community, actively managing the eradication of invasive species along the San Diego River and providing fire risk reduction services to private property owners by lifting trees, constructing fire breaks, and removing dry material and potential fuel for wildfires. And we are in the process of opening the San Diego River Science Field Station, for use by students, teachers, and scientists to practice environmental science on site and take advantage of the river park’s natural “living laboratory,” opportunities for learning outside the classroom. Learn more about our projects and services [button]
