Casitas Parks & Habitat
Casitas at Spring
Creek Parks &
Nature Preserve
How to Protect Your Neighborhood Preserve
The Casitas at Spring Creek community is
surrounded by a beautiful natural preserve that
is beneficial to both people and wildlife. Your
community has been designed to protect and
enhance this natural Preserve. The citizens
of Oceanside are the ultimate stewards and
recipients of this legacy. This information has
been prepared to inform
the Casitas at Spring Creek community, of the
adjacent biologically sensitive resources and
some of the City of Oceanside regulations that
will help ensure the continuing health of your
neighborhood Preserve. Following these
simple guidelines will ensure that the adjacent
natural areas are preserved and protected.
Multiple Habitat Conservation Plan
Oceanside is one of the seven cities in northern San Diego
County that is included in the Multiple Habitat Conservation
Plan (MHCP). The MHCP is a comprehensive conservation
program developed in coordination with the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and
Game for sensitive habitats, plants and animals. The
Oceanside Subarea Habitat Conservation Plan is part of the
MHCP. The creeks
and area in the northwestern portion of the Casitas at Spring
Creek community is designated as a Biological Preserve. It is
protected to preserve the habitat and the sensitive wildlife it
supports.
The Preserve supports several
sensitive wetland habitats including
fresh water marsh, southern riparian
forest, southern willow scrub, mule
fat scrub and saltgrass grassland. It
also contains sensitive upland
communities including coyote brush scrub and coast live oak
woodland. The Preserve habitats are home to state and
federally listed endangered
species that are protected by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and
California Department of Fish and
Game. The endangered species
are the least Bell’s vireo and
southwestern willow flycatcher.
Human Intrusion
Human activity in the Preserve is prohibited because
they can degrade habitat and disrupt plant growth and
natural animal behaviors. Please respect the Preserve
signs. The horse trail along the western edge of the
community and the holding pen are for day use only.
Equestrians must stay on designated trails and not stray
off into sensitive areas. Plants and animals should not
be removed from the Preserve. It is illegal to collect,
injure, or kill protected plants and animals. Motorized
vehicles are prohibited in the Preserve except for law
enforcement, utility maintenance, and emergency vehicles.
Control of Household Pets
Household pets such as dogs, cats, reptiles and amphibians
can have a negative affect on
wildlands if not managed properly.
For instance, dogs should be
leashed near open space areas to
prevent them from harassing
wildlife and cats should be kept
indoors as much as possible to
avoid their natural predation on
wildlife species. In addition,
accidental release of ferrets and
rats (nest predators), and non-native amphibians and reptiles
(which compete with native species) can cause destruction of
native wildlife. It is important not to release helpless domestic
animals into the wild and to not to feed wild animals.
Home Landscaping
The Preserve has great ecological
value to the plant and animal
communities it contains. It provides
natural habitat for wildlife. Some nonnative
plants such as California
pepper trees, pampas grass,
fountain grass, and various
iceplants are highly invasive and will out-compete native vegetation if planted
adjacent to the Preserve boundary. Therefore, it is important that all
landscaping near the Preserve include only native or noninvasive non-native
plants. Discarding yard waste into the Preserve is prohibited. Increasing
runoff, particularly in the summer from over watering can be very detrimental to
native plant species. Before landscaping, residents should consult their Codes,
Covenants and Restrictions for a
list of restricted invasive plants.
Residents may also contact the
City’s Planning Department at
760-435-3520 for more
information regarding Landscape Guidelines.
Preserve Brush Management
As a fire safety measure for persons and properties, two brush
management zones are required adjacent to the Preserve.
These zones generally consist of Zone 1, a permanently
irrigated area extending 35 feet from structures and Zone 2,
extending 50 feet beyond Zone 1. Zone 2 consists of native
vegetation thinned to various specifications. Brush
management zones have been established for the perimeter
of the community and must not be exceeded.
Spring Creek Water Quality
If not properly discarded, motor oil, pesticides, fertilizers,
trash, and animal waste can enter storm drains and dump
directly into natural waterways. Polluted water affects the
health of plants and animals. Polluted water also is not
very appealing and can cause safety risks to humans.
Water pollution can be reduced by repairing car oil leaks,
properly discarding used motor oil, eliminating or reducing
the use of pesticides and fertilizers or using biodegradable
and environmentally friendly
products, and avoiding
stockpiling loose trash. Do
not dump anything into
storm drains or the Preserve.
Cleaning up animal waste in
natural areas leads to a
more aesthetic experience
and regular yard cleaning
eliminates water quality impacts. More information on
how to
preserve water quality.
Habitat Lighting Requirements
Artificial lights can affect wildlife behaviors as well as the
natural beauty of the Preserve. Lights are required to be
directed away from the Preserve or shielded from
illuminating into the Preserve.
Park Noise Requirements
Noises can affect wildlife behavior, particularly hunting and
breeding. It is important to be respectful of wildlife by keeping
noise levels to a minimum if you are in or near the Preserve,
especially during the evening hours.
Trash, Toxins, and Waste Materials
The Preserve is a sensitive system that can be impacted
by dumping of foreign objects, such as trash, paints,
chemicals, or other items. Keeping garbage and toxic
materials out of the Preserve will maintain the health and
visual beauty of the natural area. Please use the trash receptacles.
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