Land Conservancy acquires Margarita Peak property

FALLBROOK — Thanks to a partnership between Camp Pendleton, the California Wildlife Conservation Board, the Trust for Public Land and the Fallbrook Land Conservancy (FLC), the landmark Margarita Peak northwest of Fallbrook is now conserved open space. The FLC is the new owner and manager of the 1,200-acre property adjacent to Camp Pendleton.

With an elevation of 3,193 feet, Margarita Peak is the highest peak in San Diego County west of I-15 and is visible on the western horizon from many locations in Fallbrook. The property, bounded by Camp Pendleton on the west and south and the Cleveland National Forest on the north, is a vital link in a wildlife corridor that provides critical wintering, breeding and migratory habitat for numerous species.

The Margarita Peak acquisition is the major first step of a program to use Department of Defense funds to purchase conservation easements on land near Camp Pendleton to ensure compatible uses, and to maintain open-space corridors for wildlife movement. The program involves cooperation between federal, state and local governments and non-governmental conservation organizations.

During the coming year, FLC will be gathering information about the geographic, geologic and biologic properties of the Margarita Peak property. A stewardship plan will be developed that allows for appropriate use by the public. For more information, visit the FLC Web site at http://www.sdlcc.org/flc.