Conservancy holding buy-a-brick fundraiser
Back in spring of 1989 several neighbors in Elfin Forest took a hike through an oak grove near the Escondido Creek. Pristine natural areas such as this were disappearing as development was quickly expanding in North County. The group talked about how to save land before it could be developed. Their aim was land conservation.
Since the Escondido Creek Conservancy was formed in 1991, the nonprofit conservancy has helped preserve more than 7,000 acres of land, including some of the most biologically sensitive areas in the Escondido Creek watershed. From 2015 to 2018, the conservancy completed its Save1000Acres campaign, preserving just under 1,000 acres in the northern section of the watershed. Part of the nonprofit’s mission is to provide watershed education programs to thousands of youths and adults each year.
This spring the conservancy started a buy-a-brick fundraising campaign and is selling engraved bricks with donors’ names that will be installed at its new Boulder Outlook headquarters, under construction in Hidden Meadows, a semirural area of Escondido.
The conservancy bought Boulder Outlook in 2018 as part of a 700-acre acquisition. The 46-year-old farm duplex came with the land purchase and needs updating. When finished, the remodeled farm building will house the conservancy’s staff, provide space for small gatherings and serve as a base of operations for hundreds of volunteers and supporters.
The cost of renovating the old duplex and improving the grounds is estimated at $650,000, which is being covered by the nonprofit’s land fund. The nonprofit is holding the fundraiser to replace the money used for upgrading the property.
Architect Drew Hubbell, who led the design of the Elfin Forest Interpretive Center with his father, artist James Hubbell, came up with the design for the remodel. The ribbon-cutting is planned for late fall.
The bricks can be engraved with the name of a family, foundation or business. A 4-by-8-inch brick with space for three lines at 18 characters per line can be purchased for $100. An 8-by-8-inch brick, with six lines at 18 characters per line, can be purchased for $250. Visit escondidocreek.org/donate.