Anstine-Audubon Nature Preserve

This Saturday's Anstine Preserve Projects will focus on the Riparian Trail as we remove invasive plants and make our trails more resilient against fire risk.

This work is supported by ATHLETIC BREWING COMPANY and the Two For The Trails grant to help us maintain Anstine's trails and make sure we are fire-prepared. Invasive plants can not only crowd out native species but also increase fire risk by altering the landscape or contributing to fuel mass. Native plants help support the plant community as well as the critters that live there.

As we get into the warmer months some volunteer events will begin earlier at 8:30AM, see you then!
See upcoming events and register here: bit.ly/485ccsj

Photo by HSJ

Native Pathways Org will be at Anstine Nature Preserve this Saturday (May 23rd) for a demonstration and workshop exploring soaproot. Also known as amole or soap plant, from the Chlorogalum genus, it has a history intertwined with Native Americans.

Registration is $20 per person, and goes toward supporting Native Pathways and San Diego Bird Alliance.

Native Pathways supports Indigenous arts and cultural practices. Through public education and community development projects, Native Pathways uplifts Native American artists, cultural bearers, educators and creative professionals. They create community engaged spaces and programs that empower everyone to build resilient futures through ancestral wisdom.

See more details and future events at Anstine here: bit.ly/485ccsj

San Diego Bird Alliance Birdathon 2026 ends on May 10th, consider joining a team or flying solo to help us meet our fundraising goal of $55,000. Anstine Nature Preserve is often visited by Green Herons and Mountain Chickadees if you're looking to add to your eBird list, we are open Saturdays from 9am to 4pm.

Ways to participate:
> Join a team - Get out there and go birding with others on a San Diego Bird Alliance-organized team with a local team leader
> Start a team - Band together with friends, coworkers, etc., pick a fun team name, and combine forces for good!
> Participate on your own or with family and friends
> Support one of our Birdathon teams by making a donation in their honor
> Make a direct donation to San Diego Bird Alliance

Learn more and participate here: sandiegobirdalliance.org/joinourflock/birdathon.html

Green Heron photo by: HSJ

Most of us are familiar with our daytime pollinators like bees and butterflies, but did you know we also have nighttime pollinators like moths and bats?
Explore Anstine Nature Preserve after sunset as we celebrate San Diego Pollinator Week this Friday (May 8th) from 7 to 9pm. We will learn from the experts and keep an eye (and ear) out for any bats, bugs, and birds that may be visiting!

This free event has limited space so consider registering today!
See more details and future events at Anstine here: bit.ly/485ccsj

Anstine Nature Preserve will be closing early this Saturday the 18th. The preserve will be open to the public from 9am to 12pm. You can come check out the San Diego Bird Alliance booth at the Alta Vista Botanical Gardens Earth Day Festival that day from 10am to 3pm!

Can't wait to get back to Anstine? Join us on Wednesday the 22nd for Earth Day and invasive plant removal.

We will return to our normal hours next Saturday the 25th (9am to 4pm) when we will also host a BioBlitz event.

Learn more and register for our upcoming events at

Anstine Events Linktree

On March 7th we had some awesome volunteers come out to help remove invasive plants from the Riparian Trail here at Anstine Nature Preserve.
Join us on the first Saturday of the month for Anstine Preserve Projects to help our native plants and animals thrive! Our next event will be April 4th at 9:30am, find out more on the San Diego Bird Alliance event calendar.

Anstine will be closed on 12/27 for the holidays. We wish you a very happy holiday and hope to see you next year!

Fall Anstine Updates! 🍂

We are open every Saturday from 9am to 4pm – weather permitting. On November 15th, the preserve was closed due to rainy conditions, so please enjoy these photos showing what a rainy day can look like at Anstine!

Rainy view from the Coastal Sage Scrub Trail: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v7MMZOBh3qRHZAiSCRaYMRkjzErvLb43/view?usp=sharing
Rain on the pond: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1juOD6on3BHdfG3JyqYIrtPmcVMPL8z53/view?usp=sharing

The rains have also returned the seasonal stream that passes through the Riparian Trail: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B1St0Wv1ytjgurGPLSIRKsb0Wd_25kXz/view?usp=sharing

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Please note that when visiting after rain or damp conditions, most of the trails can be muddy. Take caution when exploring, especially on the Riparian Trail. 🌧️

It is the time of year when Hooded Mergansers can often be found in the preserve’s pond! So far, up to 7 individuals have been seen; though they are rather shy, so being quiet and respectful of their space is appreciated.

Here's a video of some from the trail camera: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GGJ71Jeb8mzGY_cmwcBoMVvq5Ph_Kf9d/view?usp=sharing

Fall rains are also one of the best times to get your native seeds in the ground. Stop by your local Native Seed Library or the ones located at Anstine and Silverwood to learn more and pick up some free native seeds. 🌱

Lastly, on December 6th, we will host the kickoff event for the monthly Anstine Preserve Projects that will be held on the first Saturday of each month! Volunteers are encouraged to help us tend to trails, remove invasive plants, and learn about the variety of life found at Anstine Nature Preserve.

We will be planting over 100 new plants onto the Overlook Trail. Registration and more information can be found on the SDBA Event Calendar: https://secure.sandiegobirdalliance.org/np/clients/sandiegobirdalliance/publicaccess/eventCalendarBig.jsp

Keep an eye out for upcoming information on the January 3rd, 2026 event where we will remove invasives from around the new native plants and water them!

For questions and comments please contact the Anstine Property Coordinator, Hannah St. John at [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you out at Anstine!

Due to heavy rain forecasts, Anstine Nature Preserve will be closed this Saturday, 11/15. Thank you for your understanding!