Land and Watershed Conservation Initiative

This initiative will advance the completion of a network of recreational parks and natural areas on rivers, canyons, lagoons and beaches to provide healthy lands, clean water and habitat for people and wildlife. The Foundation supports organizations whose programs contribute to one or more of the following:

Expected Results of the Initiative:

• Increased ability of eight local nonprofit organizations to acquire and steward land, and form nonprofit collaboratives to influence public policy for land and water protection by 2009.
  
• An increase of $100 million in private and public funding secured for land acquisition and stewardship by 2009, with at least $30 million secured by 2007.
  
• The protection of an additional 15,000 acres of critical habitats and culturally-sensitive lands by 2009, with at least 5,000 acres protected by 2007.
  
• 5,000 new volunteers assisting conservation organizations through community outreach/advocacy, environment-based education programs, nonprofit membership and board leadership by 2009, with at least 1,500 new volunteers by 2007.

Initiative Achievements to Date:

• Leveraged Funding — The San Diego Foundation’s environment grantmaking has resulted in our grantees securing an additional $114,587,206 in funds from public and private sources. Foundation funding to support research, advocacy and outreach about the TransNet tax reauthorization resulted in an additional $850 million earmarked for land protection, management and monitoring.
  
• Land Protected — The Foundation’s grantmaking has enabled local conservation groups to protect more than 20,100 acres of land. An additional 6,604 acres are in process for protection, and nearly 27,000 have been identified for future protection.
  
• Public Engagement — The Foundation believes that our community’s vigilance in protecting and nurturing our natural environment is critical to the continued success of our endeavors. Engaging volunteers is a vital aspect of our grantmaking results. A total of 14,446 volunteers have assisted in local restoration and clean up projects. More than 1,213 youths have been engaged in stewardship and education-based projects.

2007 Land & Watershed Conservation Initiative Grantees

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