Honey Springs Sporting Dog Training Facility (A Joint Project by DFG South Coast Region and San Diego County Wildlife Federation) Presented by Robert R. Smith President, San Diego County Wildlife Federation 15 December, 2011

Objective of Briefing Highlight a Successful Partnership Between DFG and NGO’s Highlight a Successful Partnership Between DFG and NGO’s Demonstrate What Can be Accomplished when Organizations Have Mutually Beneficial Goals Demonstrate What Can be Accomplished when Organizations Have Mutually Beneficial Goals Offer This Project as a Model for How DFG Can Leverage Limited Funding to Get Things Done Offer This Project as a Model for How DFG Can Leverage Limited Funding to Get Things Done

Background The Hollenbeck Canyon WA Land Management Plan Includes a Hunting Dog Training Area on the Honey Springs Unit The Hollenbeck Canyon WA Land Management Plan Includes a Hunting Dog Training Area on the Honey Springs Unit Honey Springs is an Ideal Site: Honey Springs is an Ideal Site: –Large field areas (approx. 150 acres) –Drainages and wells for creating ponds –Isolated from Roads and Structures Both DFG SCR and SDCWF were Enthused about Creating a Training Area on this Site Both DFG SCR and SDCWF were Enthused about Creating a Training Area on this Site

Developing a Project Plan At a Meeting Between DFG & SDCWF in 2009, it was Agreed to Develop the Training Area as a Joint Project At a Meeting Between DFG & SDCWF in 2009, it was Agreed to Develop the Training Area as a Joint Project DFG SCR Specified the Planning Area, and Conducted Surveys to Identify Sensitive Habitat in the Area DFG SCR Specified the Planning Area, and Conducted Surveys to Identify Sensitive Habitat in the Area SDCWF (Jim Conrad) Prepared a Project Plan, Consulting Extensively with DFG SCR (Terri Stewart & Karen Miner) SDCWF (Jim Conrad) Prepared a Project Plan, Consulting Extensively with DFG SCR (Terri Stewart & Karen Miner) SDCWF Drafted a Project Plan Evaluation, which was Approved by DFG SCR SDCWF Drafted a Project Plan Evaluation, which was Approved by DFG SCR SDCWF Began to Identify Resources to Execute the Plan SDCWF Began to Identify Resources to Execute the Plan

Resources to Execute the Plan A Series of Grants from San Diego Fish and Wildlife Advisory Commission & NWTF ($24,700 to date) A Series of Grants from San Diego Fish and Wildlife Advisory Commission & NWTF ($24,700 to date) Donations & Volunteers from Local Dog Training Clubs Donations & Volunteers from Local Dog Training Clubs Three Eagle Scout Projects Three Eagle Scout Projects DFG-Owned Material on Hand DFG-Owned Material on Hand DFG Wildlife Technician Support (Ian Cecena & Andy Church) DFG Wildlife Technician Support (Ian Cecena & Andy Church)

Installing Fence Leading to Parking Area

Installing 6500 gal. Storage Tank

Topographic Survey Data (Greg Heydeman, CWA)

Conservation Elements of Project In Addition to the Conservation Value of a Trained Hunting Dog, the Project Included: In Addition to the Conservation Value of a Trained Hunting Dog, the Project Included: –Removing Invasive Eucalyptus Trees –Planting 40 Native Coastal Live Oak Saplings –Installing Drip Irrigation System for Oaks –Installing a Drinker that Provides a Water Source for Native Fauna –Invasive Plants will be Replaced with Native Species

Quail Drinker Installation Team

Status of Project (Dec. 2011) The Facility was Opened to the Public for Field Training in December 2010 The Facility was Opened to the Public for Field Training in December 2010 Plans to Install a Novice Pond are Underway; Currently Reaching Out to Neighbors to Review Water Usage Plans to Install a Novice Pond are Underway; Currently Reaching Out to Neighbors to Review Water Usage DFG is Investigating Options for Removing Invasive Species from the Fields (esp. Foxtails) DFG is Investigating Options for Removing Invasive Species from the Fields (esp. Foxtails) The Facility Has Been Very Well Received by Individual Dog Trainers, Local Hunting Dog Training Clubs, and the County of San Diego The Facility Has Been Very Well Received by Individual Dog Trainers, Local Hunting Dog Training Clubs, and the County of San Diego

Lessons Learned Good Example of What DFG and a Non-Government Organization can Accomplish by Working Together Good Example of What DFG and a Non-Government Organization can Accomplish by Working Together Joint DFG/NGO Efforts Allow Projects to Proceed Even Under Severe State Budget Constraints Joint DFG/NGO Efforts Allow Projects to Proceed Even Under Severe State Budget Constraints Projects Such as This Provide DFG with Matching Funds for Their Own Grant Requests Projects Such as This Provide DFG with Matching Funds for Their Own Grant Requests NGO’s Can Organize Resources (esp. Volunteer Labor) not Readily Available to DFG NGO’s Can Organize Resources (esp. Volunteer Labor) not Readily Available to DFG This Effort has Been Nationally Recognized by the Dog Training Community (Goodwill for DFG) This Effort has Been Nationally Recognized by the Dog Training Community (Goodwill for DFG)