Rancho Jamul Mitigation Bank
Wildlands’ Rancho Jamul Mitigation Bank, established in the fall of 2000, consists of approximately 250 acres of riparian and wetland habitat within a 3700-acre wildlife preserve in the Otay Lakes area of San Diego County. The preserve is part of a region identified by the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) as an important biological resource area.

Description
The mitigation bank is designed to provide habitat for the endangered least Bell’s vireo by restoring riparian ecosystems. The site is in close proximity to reaches of Jamul and Dulzura Creeks that are designated as critical habitat in the recovery plan. Wildlands restored highly degraded habitat along the creeks and provides long-term stewardship and biological monitoring for the bank. Restoration actions included reversing erosional processes that threatened the creeks’ integrity, restoring floodplain and wetland hydrology, planting native vegetation, and controlling invasive vegetation.

Creating the Bank - Steps and Innovations
The project was created through a series of public-private partnerships. The Trust for Public Lands originally acquired the site with funding from the State of California. However, monies were not readily available for habitat restoration, nor for long-term land stewardship. Wildlands took over responsibility for restoration of the highly degraded habitat along Jamul and Dulzura Creeks and provided an endowment account for long-term stewardship of the restored lands. Wildlands has worked in cooperation with the California Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Results
Wildlands’ monitoring results show an expansion of successful nesting by the least Bell’s vireo. Creek banks and floodplains have been modified to reverse erosional processes and restore wetland hydrology; and wetland, riparian, and oak woodland plantings are developing. The bank provides compensatory mitigation for:

• Least Bell’s Vireo • Freshwater Wetlands • Riparian Habitat   Click to view Rancho Jamul video

Credits available for mitigation of impacts
to wetlands and endangered species
Map of projects
Wildlands Mitigation Bank
Kimball Island Mitigation Bank
Orchard Creek Conservation Bank
Haera Wildlife Conservation Bank
Brushy Creek Conservation Bank
Dolan Ranch Conservation Bank
Pope Ranch Conservation Bank
Rancho Jamul Mitigation Bank
New Banks and Mitigation Projects
Project videos