El Monte Ecological Preserve

Earth Discovery Institute is restoring 15 acres of cactus scrub habitat at El Monte Ecological Preserve in Lakeside to support the conservation of the Coastal Cactus Wren and other native wildlife. Located between existing Cactus Wren populations, the restoration will expand suitable habitat and improve connectivity across the landscape.

Coastal Cactus Wren

The Coastal Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) is a California Species of Special Concern found in cactus scrub habitats across coastal Southern California. These charismatic birds are closely tied to mature stands of cholla and prickly pear cactus, which provide essential nesting, foraging, and shelter habitat. Unlike many migratory birds, Cactus Wrens remain in their territories year-round, making healthy, connected patches of cactus scrub especially important for sustaining local populations. Since the 1990s, Coastal Cactus Wren populations have declined substantially across much of their range.

Cactus scrub is a form of coastal sage scrub characterized by dense stands of prickly pear and cholla cactus mixed with other native vegetation. This unique habitat supports a diverse community of native plants and wildlife, including the Coastal Cactus Wren. Development, habitat degradation, and wildfire have reduced and fragmented cactus scrub across Southern California. Because this habitat is naturally patchy, further fragmentation can isolate Cactus Wren populations and limit their ability to disperse between suitable habitat areas. The Coastal Cactus Wren is a covered species under San Diego County’s Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP), making the protection, restoration, and connectivity of its habitat an important regional conservation priority. The Coastal Cactus Wren is also considered an umbrella species - by restoring and protecting the cactus scrub habitat it depends on, we also benefit many other native plants and wildlife that share this ecosystem. This 15-acre restoration project is made possible by funding from the State of California Wildlife Conservation Board.

Milestones & Ecological Gains

We are thrilled to share that in spring 2025, a pair of Coastal Cactus Wrens established a breeding territory at our restoration site and successfully raised chicks. The birds remain on-site and are often observed foraging and calling among the cactus patches.
The proximity of our site to the Lake Jennings cluster is critical: by restoring and connecting habitat within this region, we strengthen landscape‑scale connectivity and facilitate dispersal among nearby wren populations.
Since the start of restoration, we’ve documented a notable increase in biodiversity. California Species of Special Concern (CSSC) observed on-site include the San Diego Horned Lizard, California Gnatcatcher, Western Spadefoot Toad, and seven of the 14 bat species detected through acoustic monitoring. In addition, we’ve recorded a variety of native wildlife such as long-tailed weasels, coyotes, roadrunners, and California quail, among many others.

Volunteers play an integral role in our habitat restoration work at El Monte, helping to plant prickly pear cacti and a suite of coastal sage scrub species, as well as weeding, watering, and assisting with our monitoring program. Volunteers also helped plant 188 Coast Live Oaks at El Monte, funded by the California Wildlife Foundation California Oaks program and 100 Engelmann Oaks funded by SDG&E.