Protecting Habitats and Species: Don Scoles of The San Diego Habitat Conservancy

The Finest City

This episode features Don Scoles, Executive Director of the San Diego Habitat Conservancy. Don shares his journey to becoming the Executive Director in 2009, leading conservation efforts in the region, and talks about how the San Diego Habitat Conservancy differs from other conservancy organizations. Don discusses the conservancy’s unique approach to evaluating properties for management, including ecological viability and significance as habitats, while fostering collaboration with other groups for greater impact. He talks about their internship program and a few other ways that people can get involved in managing and safeguarding lands that support sensitive habitats and species.

Timestamps:

[1:31] How Don made his way as the Executive Director of the San Diego Habitat Conservancy in 2009 and more about their conservation efforts in the region.

[3:58] How the San Diego Habitat Conservancy stands apart as a mitigation-based land trust, differentiating it from many other conservancy organizations.

[5:38] The journey of the San Diego Habitat Conservancy, from its incorporation in 2000 to earning 501(c)(3) status from the IRS in 2002 and achieving accreditation with the Land Trust Alliance in 2017.

[8:46] Explore the unique challenges and opportunities presented by San Diego’s diverse topography and mix of habitats, and how they impact the organization’s conservation work.

[10:11] How the San Diego Habitat Conservancy works alongside other groups, fostering synergy rather than competition.

[12:42] The criteria used to evaluate properties for management include ecological viability, presence of sensitive species, and connections to other open space areas.

[15:12] The conservancy’s strategies for engaging residents and nurturing a deep appreciation for open spaces through effective property management.

[18:12] How is climate change affecting the conservancy’s ability to manage invasive species?

[23:22] The burrowing owl work that Don is especially proud of.

[23:14] How the conservancy internship programs are an exciting opportunity for aspiring conservationists to get involved and contribute to the overall mission of the organization.

About C-3

In its 60 years of existence, Citizens Coordinate for Century 3 (C-3) has brought together local thought leaders from planning, design, policy, academia, community development, and more to address our region’s distinctive and pressing land use challenges. In founding C-3 almost 60 years ago, architect Lloyd Ruocco’s vision was to bring together our region’s most creative minds from the arts, sciences, academia, and government to share ideas, learn new perspectives, and build fellowship around the idea of creating livable communities.

Opportunities for Advocacy and Engagement:

C3sandiego.org

San Diego Habitat Conservancy