Natural Lands Management

RECON is a recognized leader in open space planning and habitat preserve management. Our team offers expertise and has established relationships with state and federal agencies in preparing long-term habitat management plans and preserve endowment requirements on behalf of private landowners and jurisdictions. We also document the field success criteria on behalf of jurisdictions to ensure the long-term sustainability of open space preserves and prepare CEQA and NEPA documents for open space master plans and habitat conservation plans.

RECON closely coordinates with land managers and resource agency staff to develop effective preserve monitoring and management practices ensuring the enhancement and long-term viability of the resources.

Examples of Projects Supported by RECON

  • Habitat Preserve Long-Term Management Plans

  • Open Space Endowments

  • Habitat Conservation Plans

  • Open Space Master Plans

  • Resource Management Plans

  • Grant Applications

  • Mitigation Banking Support

Featured Projects

  • Otay Ranch Preserve by RECON

    Otay Ranch Preserve Habitat Management

    Chula Vista, California

    RECON has served as the Otay Ranch Preserve Steward/Biologist since 2009. The Otay Ranch Preserve covers approximately 4,370 acres within the city of Chula Vista and unincorporated lands in the county of San Diego. We conduct focused surveys for rare plants and wildlife, baseline biological surveys, vegetation mapping, plant and wildlife inventories, invasive plant mapping, and assessments of wildlife movement corridors and their functionality. RECON conducts site visits to document access issues, illegal dumping, weed infestations, and incidental observations of sensitive flora and fauna.

    RECON attends regional and subregional meetings relating to preserve management and monitoring to ensure efforts are not being duplicated and to ensure consistency with regional monitoring efforts and plans. Biological monitoring efforts conducted by RECON are used to inform and prioritize management decisions. RECON has prioritized weed control and enhancement activities in coastal cactus wren and Quino checkerspot butterfly habitats.

  • Rolling Hills Ranch Preserve

    Chula Vista, California

    RECON has served as the Rolling Hills Ranch Preserve Steward Biologist (PSB) since 2015. Annual stewardship tasks are performed consistent with the Area Specific Management Directives and City of Chula Vista Multiple Species Conservation Program Subarea Plan. We conduct focused surveys for rare plants, coastal California gnatcatcher, and Quino checkerspot butterfly. RECON also conducts vegetation mapping, inventories plant and wildlife species, conducts invasive plant mapping, and assesses wildlife movement corridors and their functionality.

  • Coastal Cactus Wren Survey

    Otay Ranch Preserve Coastal Cactus Wren Habitat Enhancement and Restoration Program (SANDAG TransNet EMP Grant)

    Chula Vista, California

    RECON completed a successful SANDAG TransNet EMP grant project for 15 acres of coastal cactus wren habitat restoration in the Otay Ranch Preserve. Monitoring for this project included quantitative vegetation sampling using the relevé method, qualitative monitoring, focused coastal cactus wren surveys, and the establishment of permanent photo points. Quarterly and annual reports were prepared to detail implementation, maintenance, and monitoring tasks that were completed. The project included cholla cactus collection and planting, blue elderberry propagation and planting, and weed control. Additionally, RECON led High Tech Middle School students on field trips to the project site and developed a community-based restoration program where students grew and planted cholla.

Contact

Cailin Lyons
Biology Project Director