Preservation

Iron Mountain Preserve – Conservation Project
​
Project Goals: Purchase and preservation of lands around Iron Mountain. 
​
IMC is working with government resource-conservation agencies, other organizations and the public to make this preservation possible.

More than half of the Iron Mountain trails are on private property. One of those private property owners wants to develop 477 acres, or sell it for conservation. Development would mean permanent loss of beautiful natural lands on the slopes of Iron Mountain. Iron Mountain Trail and Miner’s trail would be along driveways for much of their distance, instead of the beautiful wild lands there now.
IMC is working for the purchase and conservation of this land, a goal that can become reality with the support of all of us who use these trails and know the beauty of Iron Mountain.

By showing your support, you let government agencies know that you want the land around Iron Mountain preserved. Each week a thousand people or more use the Iron Mountain trails – a petition signed by thousands of citizens carries a lot of weight … for convincing local and state governments that citizens have an interest in preserving this land … for winning grants to fund land purchases. Please go to our Petition for Iron Mountain.    Remember, it’s free, but it really helps.

Iron Mountain Conservancy can also use your help as a member and/or volunteer. Membership fees help support IMC financially, and volunteers support IMC with the many activities that are needed to keep an all-volunteer organization running. Please go to our volunteers page or membership page.

Please donate to the Fund to Preserve Iron Mountain. Your donation will be greatly appreciated, used directly for Iron Mountain conservation efforts, and recognized in a way that is appropriate for you. IMC can recognize your contribution on our website, in newsletters, by planting trees, by installing benches and other facilities at Iron Mountain Preserve. Donations can be made as a memorial, gift or to honor a birth, graduation, wedding or other event – a plaque can also be placed at Iron Mountain to recognize your donation.  

Purchasing the land around Iron Mountain will depend in large part on government funding and grants from charitable foundations. The Fund to Preserve Iron Mountain covers costs to create grant applications, and provide matching funds when required. It also covers costs for conservation projects such as trail maintenance and removing invasive plants. Of course those projects are performed largely by volunteers to keep costs at a minimum.
​
Iron Mountain Conservancy has a long and successful record of preserving land in the area around Iron Mountain. Over 3,500 acres on Iron Mountain Ridge have been preserved, due in part to IMC’s efforts. The beautiful views to the south and east of Iron Mountain include those preserved lands. IMC has helped preserve nearly 10,000 acres total central San Diego County. You can see a history of our progress on our Map – Iron Mountain Ridge / Cañada de San Vicente Preserve.