Twenty-five years of Preserving Species and Habitats in South County!

07/18/23

One of the tools that the County of San Diego uses to preserve the region’s unique, native habitats and wildlife biodiversity is the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP).

Finalized in 1998, the MSCP was a partnership between the County, 11 other jurisdictions including the Cities of San Diego and Chula Vista, community stakeholders, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.


The MSCP South County Subarea Plan, adopted in 1997, protects and connects the most valuable biological habitats in the southwestern portion of the unincorporated county, while allowing development to occur in less sensitive areas.

The goal of the MSCP South County Subarea Plan is to assemble a 98,379-acre Preserve that supports 85 plant and animal species covered by the plan.

MSCP South County Subarea Plan

Through December 31, 2022, the South County Subarea MSCP Preserve totals 80,108 acres, or 81% of the Preserve goal. See all of the 2022-year highlights in the 2022 MSCP South County Subarea Plan Annual Report.

Over the past 25 years of MSCP implementation, the County of San Diego’s efforts have focused on creating a preserve system through land acquisitions and management and monitoring of those lands, private project mitigation, working with regional monitoring and land management partners, and spreading awareness through environmental education.

Otay tarbplant is a MSCP covered species. Otay tarbplant is a MSCP covered species.Otay tarbplant is a MSCP covered species.

The County’s Department of Parks and Recreation acquires County preserve lands, manages, and monitors over 45,000 acres within the MSCP South County Subarea Plan, draft North County MSCP, and proposed East County MSCP Plan Areas.

Planning & Development Services ensures private development projects comply with the MSCP and approved Resource Management Plans by reviewing the annual reports of 27 private preserves.

The County is actively working on the development of the North County Multiple Species Conservation Program (North County Plan), for the northern portion of the unincorporated county.

To learn more or subscribe to updates on the MSCP, visit our website.