Protect Miramar Vernal Pool Preserve

On October 29, 2022, volunteers from our CNPS San Diego chapter entered the site equipped with gloves, trash bags, grit, and determination. As we approached the worst messes, we all felt overwhelmed and began to doubt whether we could ever get the place clean. But by the end of that first day, triumph replaced doubt. The job was not done, but we had accomplished so much that there was now no doubt we would get the place clean. Sure enough, after one more session, the place was cleaner than we could have ever expected. In just two cleanup days, more than 100 volunteers helped remove about 20 tons of trash.

On a cool afternoon in February this year, I stood at the largest pool in the Miramar Vernal Pool Preserve enjoying the rare plants that were growing up through the water. These plants covered the pool from one end to the other. As I watched, I wondered how these plants could be growing so beautifully after years covered by carpets, mattresses, tents, and debris. Yet there they were, growing vigorously.

Lee Gordon

In 2024, the restoration reached another major milestone: “Taking Down the Dirty Dozen.” Twelve large eucalyptus trees along the east edge of the preserve were removed—an essential step to reduce ongoing seed and leave drop into the pools and support habitat recovery. This work required significant fundraising and technical assistance from a professional tree crew, alongside on-the-ground volunteer effort. The fundraiser was hosted on the Lyle and Helen Arnold property and paired with guided hikes, a wonderful meal, and generous contributions from sponsors and community donors—making this milestone possible.

Stewardship is also monitoring. The preserve supports 150+ native plant species, and ongoing surveys help document sensitive species, track change over time, and guide protection efforts. Our field map shows known populations of San Diego Mesa Mint (Pogogyne) and San Diego Button Celery (Eryngium)—two of the preserve’s three listed rare and endangered species (the third is the San Diego Fairy Shrimp). Two federally permitted shrimp handlers from the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar (including base botanist Ron Clark) surveyed San Diego Fairy Shrimp in five pools and found them in all five. The preserve also supports additional locally rare plants documented in the CNPS Rare Plant Inventory, which helps shape long-term stewardship priorities and on-the-ground decisions—where to focus invasive removal, where to route foot traffic, and what to protect first.

Hands-on stewardship includes:

• invasive weed removal and eucalyptus seedling control
• periodic cleanups and debris removal as needed
• trail, fence, and signage maintenance to reduce impacts
• coordination with neighbors/landowners