Media Coverage
From the Valley Center Roadrunner on December 17, 2020:
Friends of Hellhole Canyon: Up Close and Natural
Since the Friends of Hellhole Canyon first organized as a non-profit corporation 20 years ago we have collaborated with San Diego County Parks and Recreation to add nearly a thousand acres to the Preserve. This acreage serves as additional habitat for the creatures of the chaparral and allows movement to adjacent open space areas. Although this core area is important we are thinking more and more about the larger region and what happens to wildlife once it crosses the boundaries of protected space.
This is why we partnered with the National Wildlife Federation in an effort to gain recognition for Valley Center as a sustainable wildlife habitat community. We want the community to become more aware that the animals we love have a better chance for survival as they cross backyards, roadsides and other public spaces if they encounter the native plants that provide food, shelter and nesting spaces.
Education has always been an important part of our mission. For this reason we joined with the California Center of the Arts in a major exhibition this year - Endangered Landscape: California’s Changing Ecosystems. Our portion, Finding Heaven in Hellhole Canyon, displayed artwork featuring wildlife, plants and landscapes of the canyon.
A major part of our purpose is to promote and protect ways that people can enjoy nature. Everyone, especially children, should have access to natural spaces where seasonal changes and natural processes can be observed, enjoyed and learned from.
Enhancing community access is why we are working with the owner of Butterfield Trails Ranch to promote acquiring this stunning property as a park. Its central location and mostly level terrain make this an ideal spot to enjoy a calming walk, family picnic or nature experience that is minutes away from most of Valley Center. Preserving this unique landscape would balance the dense residential and commercial development occurring now and help keep the feeling that brought most of us to our special town: Closeness to Nature.
If you share our vision please visit our website at www.hellholecanyon.org to make a donation. If you are not already a member please consider joining our organization.
From a Fox News article on October 14, 2020:
Friends of Hellhole Canyon participates in county pursuing State Grant for latest acquisition of 76 acres adjacent to 571 acres of BLM land
SAN DIEGO (CNS) – The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Wednesday unanimously approved the purchase of additional land for a popular open space preserve near the community of Valley Center.
The county will pay the Furleigh Family Trust $610,000 for a 76-acre parcel located at the eastern end of Paradise Mountain Road, next to the Hellhole Canyon Preserve, which will increase the North County preserve’s size to nearly 2,700 acres, according to information posted to the board meeting agenda.
Along with its 13 miles of trails, Hellhole Canyon is home to deer, mountain lions and sensitive wildlife habitats.
According to the county, a $225,000 grant provided by the state Habitat Conservation Fund will help pay for the 76 acres.
Including staff time and initial stewardship, the county will spend a total of $778,900 on the land acquisition.
Supervisor Jim Desmond, in whose district the preserve is located, recently said he was “pleased we’re able to add to this county asset.”
https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/county-purchases-land-near-popular-nature-area/
County Adds 571 Acres to Hellhole Canyon Preserve With A Little Help From Friends
The County of San Diego will spend $4 million on two parcels of land totaling 571 acres east of its Hellhole Canyon Preserve in Valley Center.
The Board of Supervisors Wednesday approved the open space purchases which will provide a buffer for sensitive species habitats in the preserve.
“These are two open space acquisitions that total almost 600 acres and will add to the Hellhole Canyon Preserve,” said new supervisor Jim Desmond. “It’s a popular destination known to have deer, wildlife and beautiful vistas.”
The board unanimously approved the acquisition 4-0, with Supervisor Greg Cox absent.
It’s the smaller of the two properties at 251 acres that is the most costly — $3 million — because it contains utility easements, which make it more valuable to a developer. The property is located east of Sierra Verde Road and southeast of the 2,028-acre Hellhole Canyon Preserve.