El Monte Ecological Preserve

El Monte Ecological Preserve

Earth Discovery Institute is restoring 15 acres of cactus scrub at El Monte Ecological Preserve, a 142-acre preserve in Lakeside owned by Endangered Habitats Conservancy. Located between two known Coastal Cactus Wren populations, the site provides additional habitat and improves connectivity between these populations.

Jerel Reeves, 2023.

Coastal Cactus Wren

The Coastal Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) occurs in cactus scrub habitat, where cactus thickets grow at least 3 feet tall from Ventura County south to San Diego County. Since the 1990s, the coastal cactus wren has declined throughout its range due to habitat loss from urbanization, habitat degradation, and wild fires, and in 2008, it was designated a California Species of Special Concern by the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The already patchy distribution of its habitat combined with the more recent habitat losses has resulted in Cactus Wren populations that are diminished in size and distribution, and occur largely as islands in a matrix of generally unsuitable habitat.

Jerel Reeves, 2023.

Cactus scrub is a form of coastal sage scrub and is the second most abundant plant community in San Diego County. Cactus scrub occurs when prickly pear cactus or cholla cactus is mixed with other coastal sage scrub species such as California sunflower, buckwheat, and sage shrub. Many species rely on cactus scrub habitat, including the coastal cactus wren. The coastal cactus wren population has declined since the 1990s due to habitat loss resulting from development and wildfires. The patchy distribution of cactus scrub and increased habitat fragmentation has reduced the ability of this bird to disperse into suitable unoccupied areas and as a result, the Coastal Cactus Wren is listed as a California Species of Special Concern.

Volunteers have contributed hundreds of hours to restoration at El Monte Ecological Preserve, and without this community support, we could not implement conservation efforts on this scale!

Recent 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, 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. This 15-acre restoration project is made possible by funding from the State of California Wildlife Conservation Board, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife.