The Swan Canyon and Creek Restoration Project unites regional experts in Kumeyaay Traditional Ecological Knowledge, watershed protection, and habitat restoration to engage local marginalized communities and the Kumeyaay community in the restoration and enhancement of Swan Canyon’s streambed and riparian zone. Building upon a 17-year collaborative effort to improve the impaired Chollas Creek coastal watershed, the work will advance a framework to normalize Kumeyaay visibility and stewardship, bridge gaps between Indigenous philosophy and contemporary conservation, and ensure the sustained health and function of the restored ecosystem. This project is in collaboration with San Diego Coastkeeper and Renascence Project, and the work is funded by the California State Coastal Conservancy.
Project Goals:
Restore and enhance Swan Creek’s wetland and riparian habitats to improve watershed health and support critical habitat for numerous endangered, threatened, and sensitive species.
Build long-term community capacity for watershed stewardship through education and hands-on restoration experience.
Collaborate with Renascence Project on restoration planning and cultural literacy training, integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) into conversation with Western science throughout project planning and implementation to foster a more holistic, culturally informed approach to ecological restoration.
Engage the community in ongoing restoration and water quality monitoring through monthly volunteer events supporting habitat restoration, water sampling, and watershed stewardship.
Timeline:
Winter 2026:
Complete a biological assessment documenting native, sensitive, and rare species present within the project site and identifying priority areas for invasive species removal and restoration.
January 2027:
Launch the first of 12 monthly community volunteer events focused on implementing restoration priorities and improving riparian habitat and watershed health.
January - December 2027:
Host monthly volunteer events in Swan Canyon to advance restoration goals, support water quality monitoring, and build sustained community engagement in watershed stewardship.
Getting Involved:
Our community is at the heart of everything we do! We want you engaged in every aspect of this project so we can achieve our goals in a way that aligns with community needs.
A few ways you can learn more and get involved include:
Subscribe to our newsletter.
Sign up for a volunteer event and come hang out with us in the City Heights canyons.
Follow us on Instagram for more consistent updates on project progress and our other programs.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding the Swan Canyon and Creek Restoration Project, please submit them here and we will get back to you as soon as possible.