The Escondido Creek Conservancy (TECC) is a non-profit, public benefit, corporation, incorporated in 1991, dedicated to the preservation, restoration and protection of the natural open space within the Escondido Creek watershed. TECC believes the natural lands within the watershed are an irreplaceable natural asset with great community value. We support educational programs and compatible outdoor recreation within the watershed for the benefit of all residents of the area. TECC has formed alliances with landowners, government agencies, and education and community groups to increase awareness of the invaluable resources intrinsic to the Escondido Creek watershed. TECC's Board of Directors is comprised of committed local volunteers with expertise in business, science, land use planning, education, recreation, and restoration of natural landscapes.
We are members of and subscribe to the Standards and Practices Guidelines of the Land Trust Alliance.
Board of Directors
Corporate Information
About Land Trusts
About TECC
Like any organization or business, the success of a TECC requires a committed and capable board of directors. TECC’s board is composed of community members with a broad range of perspectives and expertise. The board is responsible for the governance of the Conservancy, for the stewardship of our easements and properties, and for managing our finances. Board members practice Duty of Loyalty, Duty of Care, and Duty of Obedience to the organization. Board members attend monthly meetings, represent the Conservancy at community events, participate in fundraising development efforts, and participate in committees as follows::
Land Acquisition
Preserve and protect the natural open space within the Escondido Creek watershed through a combination of land acquisitions, protections agreements and cooperation with various agencies to implement land protection programs. Plan and implement public multi-use trails within the watershed, which will connect the Escondido Creek watershed with other regional trails and open spaces.
Board Members: Steve Barker, Chair; Tim Costanzo, Vice Chair; Everett DeLano; Jack Olmstead; Kevin Barnard; Leonard Wittwer
Meets: 2 nd Wednesday, 7:30 am, monthly (as needed)
Land Management
Responsible for management and oversight of stewardship portfolios to include maintenance of a calendar of timelines for reporting required responsibilities such as site monitoring, avian surveys, biological assessments, and submission of survey forms in accordance with Habitat Management Plans. Working in conjunction with the Land Acquisition Committee, the Land Management Committee shall also be responsible for developing a Property Analysis Record (PAR) projecting financial and budgetary impacts of acquiring future land management obligations.
Board Members: Kevin Barnard, Chair; Jerry Harmon, Vice Chair; Jon Dummer; Everett DeLano; June Rady; Leonard Wittwer
Meets: 1 st Tuesday, 8:00 am, monthly (as needed)
Water Quality and Habitat Committee
Responsible for developing policy relating to land use and watershed impacts in the region; for monitoring impacts; and for overseeing our citizen monitoring program for water quality and testing; and recommending actions to the board. This Committee is also responsible for supervision, reporting and preparation of a budgetary recommendation for the $25,000 anti-sprawl grant received in ’07-‘08 from The San Diego Foundation.
Board Members: Kevin Barnard, Chair; Brent Alspach, Vice Chair; June Rady; Lali Mitchell; Everett DeLano; Jerry Harmon; Jack Olmstead; Jon Dummer
Meets: As needed
Finance Committee
Responsible for developing and managing the organization’s budget. Responsible for managing all bank and asset accounts; taxes, filings, financial reporting to the board; internal and external audits. The Board Treasurer shall chair this committee.
Board Members: Jon Dummer, Chair; Steve Barker, Tim Costanzo, Jack Olmstead
Meets: 2 nd Thursday, 4:00 pm, monthly
Fundraising & Membership Committee
Responsible for coordinating fundraising and membership development activities with the direct involvement of each board member. Specific programs shall include: major donor development, grant writing; and events.
Board members: Jeff Swenerton, Chair; Tim Costanzo, Vice Chair; Lali Mitchell; Kevin Bernard
Meets: 2 nd Thursday, 9:00 am, monthly (as needed)
Outreach and Education
Responsible for developing and implementing marketing and outreach strategy; media and constituent relations; volunteer recruitment and retention including tracking, recognition, training, care and feeding of volunteers; development of youth and adult educational programs; newsletter production; and web site.
Board members: Lali Mitchell, Chair; Kevin Bernard; Jerry Harmon; June Rady; Brent Alspach
Meets: as needed
Executive Committee
Responsible for identifying board candidates for consideration; preparation of board orientation packet; and marketing of TECC to prospective board members. This committee is also responsible for appointment of members to board committees; and for personnel of the corporation.
Board members: June Rady, Chair; Steve Barker, Vice Chair; Brent Alspach, Secretary; Jon Dummer, Treasurer
Meets: as needed
Board Members
June Rady* (City Councilmember, retired, City of Escondido) President, Escondido (2007-2010)
Steve Barker* (Company President, Eagle Creek) Vice-President, Elfin Forest. (2006-2009)
Tim Costanzo* (Small Business Owner, San Marcos Mill) Treasurer, Elfin Forest (2005-2008)
Brent Alspach* (Environmental Engineer, Malcom Pirnie) Secretary, Carlsbad (2006-2009)
Kevin Barnard* (Police Detective, San Diego Police Dept) Director, Harmony Grove (2006-2009)
Everett Delano III, Esq* (Environmental Attorney) Director, Rancho Santa Fe (2007-2010)
Jon Dummer (Company President, Surface Optics) Director, Harmony Grove (2007-2010)
Jerry Harmon* (Mayor & City Councilmember, retired, City of Escondido) Director, Escondido (2005-2008)
Laura 'Lali' Mitchell, PhD (Psychologist, Sky Mountain Institute ) Director, Harmony Grove (2007-2008 )
Jack Olmstead (Small Business Owner, Plant-Tek) Director, Elfin Forest (2006-2009)
Jeff Swenerton* (Public School Administrator, retired, Del Mar Union School District) Director, Elfin Forest (2005-2008)
Leonard Wittwer* (Research Scientist, retired) Director, Elfin Forest (2007-2010)* indicates Executive Committee Member
Director and officer elections are held in March of each year. Director terms of office are for three years.
TECC Advisory Board
Anita Hayworth (Biologist, Dudek), Encinitas
Martha Blane (Habitat Restoration Consultant, Martha Blane Associates), Elfin ForestTECC Legal Counsel
Law Offices of Everett DeLanoOrganization Name: THE ESCONDIDO CREEK CONSERVANCY
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 460791
Escondido, CA 92046-0791
Phone: (760) 471-9354
email: information AT escondidocreek.org (replace 'AT' with '@')Office Location:
TECC's office is located on the property of Anderson's SeedCo Nursery in Elfin Forest at 20253 Elfin Forest Rd. See map and detailed aerial photo of access route from the nearby Elfin Forest & Harmony Grove Fire Station.
TECC Home Page: www.escondidocreek.org
Webmaster: Geoffrey Smith
Executive Director:
Geoffrey D. Smith, MA BioIncorporated: Public Nonprofit Benefit Corporation
- State of California, Articles of Incorporation, June 19, 1991 (document) (pdf)
- State Charity Registration Nbr. 82266
- California Corporate Nbr. 1689601
- Federal Tax ID Nbr. 33-0497525
- Tax Status: Federal 1050 (tax exempt status) Letter date: 8/26/96
- Tax exempt under section 501 (c) (3) (As an) Organization of the type 509(a) (1) & 170(b) (1) (A) (vi)
- California Public Nonprofit Benefit Corporation, Tax exempt section 23701d
- Federal 990 Filing: View at Guidestar (free account registration required)
- State of California, Statement of Information, File Nbr: 0706272, May 13, 2005 (document) (pdf)
America’s open spaces and green places, increasingly threatened by sprawl and development. Land Trusts are nonprofit, voluntary organizations that work with landowners to conserve land and its resources. Land Trusts work with landowners to protect the ecological, agricultural, scenic, historic, or recreational qualities of land. Land Trusts assist landowners in selection of protection strategies such as conservation easements, land donations, various types of land sales, and estate planning. Local, regional and national lands trusts, staffed by volunteers or just a few employees, are helping communities save America’s land heritage without relying exclusively on the deep pockets of government.
Land Trusts follow strict state and federal guidelines to organize and operate as non-profit, tax-exempt, charitable corporations to provide tax benefits to donors. Federal policy recognized that conservation of natural sites benefits the public. To support that activity, income tax deductions are allowed for the value of property or easements donated to a Land Trust, provided the donation is granted in perpetuity and to a qualified organization (such as The Escondido Creek Conservancy). Tax guidelines also allow the reduction of the inheritance tax obligation of estates, after donation of a qualified conservation easement.
Many Land Trusts operate in San Diego County today. Most were formed in the last 20 years. The Escondido Creek Conservancy offers residents of San Diego County an opportunity to become involved in protection of the significant amount of intact native ecosystem found in the Escondido Creek watershed and along the creek as it passes through private lands. Volunteers representing a wide range of interests and expertise are needed to supply the energy, skills, community contacts, and commitment necessary to protect land in the Escondido Creek watershed.
About the Escondido Creek Watershed
The Escondido Creek watershed is formed by the creek of the same name. Beginning at the upper headwaters in Bear Valley above Lake Wohlford, the creek flows more than 26 miles to meet the ocean at San Elijo Lagoon. It's over 75-square mile watershed includes lands managed by or governed by many jurisdictions, including:
The City of Escondido
The City of Encinitas
The City of San Marcos
The City of Solana Beach
The County of San Diego
Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management
The Soveign Nation of The San Pasqual Band of Kumeyaay IndiansEscondido Creek is the largest watershed in the Carlsbad Hydrologic Unit. As a member organization of the Carlsbad Watershed Network, TECC works in collaboration with NGOs, agencies and jurisdictions to work for responsible watershed protection in the region. Visit the extraordinary CWN website for detailed information including:
Photos of many reaches of the Escondido Creek Watershed
Maps of the hydrologic unit
Beneficial water uses within the Carlsbad WatershedThe Project Clean Water program oversees implementation of watershed management planning, educational initiatives, and legislative efforts benefitting the San Diego regional watersheds. Details of the Escondido Hydrologic Area (904.6) can be found on their website.
Much of the Escondido Creek Watershed possesses high-quality habitat, and is subject to the North County Multiple Species Conservation Plan (MSCP-N). Many of TECC's land acquisition priorites fall with in the MSCP's Pre-approved Mitigation Area designation (PAMA.)
Please viisit our links page for more information about our partners and stakeholders.
“We call upon the waters that rim the earth, horizon to horizon, that flow in our rivers and streams, that fall upon our gardens and fields, and we ask that they teach us and show us the way.”
- Chinook Indian Blessing
Since incorporation in 1991, TECC has played a direct role in the acquisition of nearly 500 acres of senstive open space. These lands come to TECC through purchases funded by private donations, and by fee simple transfers of title in fullfilment of on- or off-site mitigation requirements. TECC has a proven record of dilligent and professional habitat restoration and management, both through in-house technical expertise, and sound fiscal management. Lands which are received for performance of mitigation are accompanied by endowment funds sufficient to manage the property in perpetuity. Restoration work conducted on property owned by TECC is, in most cases, funded by permanent endowments. TECC's permanent ('non-wasting') endowments are housed at and managed by The San Diego Foundation, a San Diego-based community foundation. Endwoment funds for each of TECC's land holdings are separate -- management funds for our properties are never co-mingled. TECC's non-endowment Land Acquisition and Management fund is also housed at The San Diego Foundation.
Last updated: 8/2/07 by gds