The Escondido Creek Conservancy was awarded a $75,000 conditional “matching” grant from the Gerald T. & Inez Grant Parker Foundation, to support renovation of a building on the Mountain Meadow Preserve into the Conservancy’s office. Named Boulder Outlook, the building will help the Conservancy become more sustainable as it will no longer pay rent. Boulder Outlook will also become the Conservancy’s home for land conservation activities, including volunteer training and educational seminars. Donations to the Boulder Outlook campaign help the Conservancy preserve more land.
“We are thrilled to accept the challenge from the Parker Foundation to match this grant,” said Ann Van Leer, The Escondido Creek Conservancy executive director. “We raise the bar even higher for any new donation to The Conservancy between now and January 15, 2022. Not only is there a matching donation from the Parker grant, but an anonymous donor has also agreed to match dollar for dollar any gifts to the Conservancy. One dollar from the Parker Foundation and one dollar from the anonymous donor will make it a $2 match for every dollar raised!”
Additionally, the Conservancy plans to make the building available on weekends for small group retreats for those who want to be inspired by magnificent landscapes, with views East to Daley Ranch or North to the Palomar and San Bernardino Mountains. At Boulder Outlook, the Conservancy’s dedicated staff and passionate volunteers will have a base to launch conservation activities throughout North San Diego County.
“In 1971, the Gerald T. & Inez Grant Parker Foundation was created to support non-profit organizations in their efforts to improve life for all San Diegans. We have been serving the San Diego community for 50 years and look forward to many more.” – theParkerFoundation.org
The Conservancy is proud to be a partner of the Gerald T. & Inez Grant Parker Foundation. “The Parker Foundation, and those who aim to create a legacy of support for nature through their philanthropic gifts and continued support of The Escondido Creek Conservancy are our heroes,” said Meghan Williams, development associate for the Conservancy.
Nature supporters can help The Conservancy reach its goal of raising $75,000 by January 15th, thus ensuring the full grant from the Parker Foundation is received. Tax-deductible philanthropic gift opportunities to support this endeavor include:
•Making a private donation as a one-time or recurring gift;
•Making a corporate donation;
•Purchasing naming rights: Native Plant Nursery, Pond, HQ, Patio & Event Spaces;
•Purchasing personalized bricks (in $100, $250, or greater denominations) to be presented at the entrance, along the patio and walkways at Boulder Outlook; and
•Purchasing personalized plaques for benches and seating areas.
Architectural designer Drew Hubbell of Hubbell & Hubbell Architects, along with help from landscape architect Schmitt Design, have designed Boulder Outlook as an environmentally conscientious and fire safe headquarters. Complimenting San Diego County’s beautiful natural surroundings, spectacular mountain views can be seen from the building and future event spaces. Boulders of incredible scale adorn the property and provide a natural path to the native plant nursery, pond, and site of a future conservation research facility.
Boulder Outlook is part of the Mountain Meadow Preserve, which was created by the Conservancy and San Diego County Parks in 2018 with critical assistance from the U.S. Navy/Camp Pendleton and hundreds of donors to the Conservancy’s Save 1000 Acres campaign.
___________________
The Conservancy is a 30-year-old land trust, recently accredited by the National Land Trust Alliance for highest standards of ethical behavior and responsible financial and land stewardship. The Conservancy currently cares for 3,000 acres of wildlife habitat and provides annual outdoor education opportunities to thousands of youths and adults.
Visit www.escondidocreek.org to learn more about The Conservancy, or to join the mission to enhance the lives of people and wildlife in the Escondido Creek watershed. More information about the Boulder Outlook campaign can be found at: https://escondidocreek.org/donate.
