MONARCH waystation

To support the recovery of monarch butterfly populations, we planted 450 narrow-leaf milkweed in Olivia Canyon—restoring critical breeding habitat for this at-risk species. Monarchs depend exclusively on milkweed to lay their eggs, and caterpillars can only survive by feeding on its leaves. By re-establishing native milkweed, we’re helping rebuild a key link in the monarch’s life cycle while also enhancing overall pollinator diversity in the canyon ecosystem.

This project was made possible through generous support from the Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego Monarch 2023, San Diego Gas & Electric, and the Rose Foundation.

city heights

City Heights is home to 5 urban canyon environments. With the help of many community partners, as well as our incredible volunteers, we work to remove invasive species and dry fire fuels, creating space to reintroduce native species.  Hike our 5 canyon loop trail by following our map, and read more here.

Grant funding generously provided by the California Natural Resources Agency through Prop 84- Urban Greening for Sustainable Communities Grant.

cci native plant garden trailheads

The trailheads of City Heights canyons now bloom with native gardens, thanks to the work of our Canyon Connections Interns. Our interns from Herbert Hoover High School learned hands-on restoration practices from our restoration staff and established multiple native plant restoration sites. Trailheads were thoughtfully designed to welcome the community into their nearby green spaces and showcase native flora that you’ll see throughout the canyon. Find your nearest trailhead here.

Can’t make it to the canyons today? Take the virtual hike designed by our high school interns!

Funding generously provided by the California Natural Resources Agency through the CNRA Youth Community Access grant.

bill tall habitat garden

San Diego Canyonlands partnered with Urban Corps of San Diego, Moosa Creek, and City Farmers Nursery to restore part of Olivia Canyon and create a native plant garden, installing over 250 native plants after removing 100+ lbs of invasive species.

Inspired by Bill Tall, founder of City Farmers Nursery and longtime community stewardship advocate, the site was named Farmer Bill’s Habitat Garden with the adjacent trail designated The Tall Trail, honoring his lasting legacy of urban greening.

Grant funding generously provided by the San Diego Foundation’s 2019 Opening the Outdoors grant.

auburn creek

With support from Wells Fargo and Community HousingWorks, we removed invasive plants such as arundo and fennel, both nonnative species that threaten our local ecosystems. Neighbors also joined in to remove trash, helping transform the creek and trail into a more welcoming community space. Together, we collected over 400 pounds of debris in just a half-mile stretch during a single Creek to Bay Cleanup event! We even made the news! Click here to watch a recap video highlighting our community’s hard work paying off.

Grant funding generously provided by Wells Fargo and Community HousingWorks, through the Urban Lift grant.