Nonprofit saves San Diego County’s tallest waterfall

Mildred Falls Photo by Alexander S Kunz The San Diego River Park Foundation has successfully purchased a -acre parcel from a private owner the organization stated this week Why is that pivotal Because that land includes the one and only Mildred Falls San Diego County s tallest waterfall located about five miles west of the Pine Hills public Its dramatic cascade drops roughly feet to where Ritchie Creek plunges toward the San Diego River This is a huge accomplishment for the San Diego River Park Foundation especially as Scenic Treasure Ritchie Creek is a key tributary to the San Diego River Ownership of Mildred Falls will help the foundation protect a golden eagle nest a California gnatcatcher habitat southwestern pond turtles arroyo toads cougars and other large mammals More than donors raised more than to buy the property With the sale closed the waterfall and surrounding land are now conserved and held in trust for the inhabitants Alexa Lewis-Rosenfeld the philanthropy and communications manager for the San Diego River Park Foundation shared that Matthias Blume one of their longtime donors and contributors is a prime example of the region s dedication to preserving the waterfall I am beyond excited Supporting this acquisition is literally a high point of my life explained Blume Like a trophy it is not the falls themselves that are so major but it is a -foot-tall tribute to thriving conservation It is the tallest waterfall in San Diego County You can see it all the way from Ramona she added Mildred Falls Photo by Alexander S Kunz It is absolutely awesome that the San Diego River Park Foundation was able to acquire and protect it There is a bald eagle nest in the face of the cliff over which Mildred Falls flow Isn t that amazing With ownership complete the foundation s immediate priorities are now land stewardship and masses access planning They are focusing on taking care of the land and creating a safe viewing area for visitors One of the the bulk inspiring things for me is just to know that this land will be conserved forever and its use will only be to protect it and conserve it for the wildlife declared Lewis-Rosenfeld The Mildred Falls purchase is one more step in the foundation s multi-decade effort to protect land along the -mile San Diego River The foundation has completed dozens of acquisitions in its -year history conserving more than acres of at-risk privately owned open space Those efforts aim to safeguard a globally crucial ecosystem while still preserving citizens access and environmental resilience for the San Diego region The conservation of Mildred Falls thus preserves not only a dramatically beautiful natural landmark but an fundamental stretch of riverine habitat ensuring that future generations can experience the roar of San Diego s tallest waterfall and the wildlife it supports Truly every dollar mattered in this campaign and together we saved an iconic natural treasure in the region and the falls the tallest waterfall in San Diego County will constantly be protected Lewis-Rosenfeld declared For those who want to be notified when the waterfall is flowing or learn about special guided trips can sign up for Mildred Falls alerts by emailing mildredfalls sandiegoriver org