Preserve Habitats and Inhabitants
Open Space canyons and parklands contain diverse plant communities and homes for many different species of insects, birds, mammals and reptiles. Many of San Diego's endangered habitats, on which numerous species depend for survival, are found in the canyons. Some of these canyons contain riparian woodlands that follow the stream along the canyon floor, as seen in Ruffin Canyon.
Juniper Canyon provides coastal sage habitat for the endangered California Gnatcatcher, which can often be heard, making its distinctive "kitten meowing" call during the spring/summer nesting season.
Gonzales Canyon is an important wildlife corridor for the bobcats, providing habitat area connections.
Specific plant communities, such as Coastal Sage Scrub and Chaparral, offer wildflower shows at various times of the year. In early fall, look for the large, cherry-like fruit on the Holly Leaf Cherry bushes in Swan Canyon.