Rincon’s Tribal Resource Conservation Management Plan (TRCMP) was prepared to preserve the riparian habitats of the Reservation for future generations. The TRCMP covers three endangered species, including arroyo toad and two riparian bird species (Least Bell’s vireo and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher). designates an area within the reservation as a Preserve for the Arroyo toad, and addresses a broad range of Covered Activities throughout the reservation that allow for economic growth on the Reservation while at the same time protecting the natural communities that form a spiritual, cultural, and economic foundation of the community. The Plan further provides the opportunity for the Rincon Tribe to contribute to regional conservation goals while ensuring sovereign control of Rincon lands.

The TRCMP provides a streamlined approach to addressing the conservation needs of Covered Species. The TRCMP ensures that activities covered by the TRCMP satisfy the regulatory requirements of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) while at the same time supporting reasonable development within the Plan Area. The TRCMP also serves to resolve longstanding disagreements between the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (US FWS) and Rincon regarding application of the ESA to Rincon’s lands. The TRCMP sets forth a uniform and systematic conservation strategy that ensures that impacts on Covered Species and their habitats from activities covered by the Plan are avoided and minimized. The Plan will be in effect for a period of 25 years and may be renewed at the end of 25 years.

Arroyo toad populations are localized and face a variety of threats. An estimated 75% of the historical habitat of the species has been destroyed and many of the remaining populations are threatened. There is a significant arroyo toad population occurring on the reservation along the San Luis Rey River and along Paradise Creek. In-stream breeding habitat and upland burrowing and foraging habitat are both important to the species in this area.

Potentially suitable habitat for the southwestern willow flycatcher includes areas mapped as riparian habitat within the Reservation. This includes a smaller patch along Paradise Creek and larger blocks of habitat along the San Luis Rey within the Mowry property and up one of its tributaries. A 100 foot buffer around the riparian habitat has been included to identify an area needed to minimize indirect effects for riparian habitat. There is a total of 45.1 acres of riparian habitat and 38.7 acres of riparian habitat buffer within the TRCMP Area.

Endangered Species Outreach and Education

Habitat Heroes Summer Program -July 19^th and 22^nd, 2024- Escondido Creek Conservancy

Habitat Heroes was a two-day summer program at the Rincon Education Center in collaboration with the Escondido Creek Conservancy. An exciting and interactive two days of activities were provided in July 2024 engaging Rincon Youth in hands-on learning experiences focused on environmental conservation and biodiversity. During these two days the students:

1. Were taught the differences between endangered and threatened species and were engaged in activities and discussions clarifying the criteria for determining if a species is endangered and what external factors may contribute to this.
2. Were introduced to the local habitats and taught the definition of native, non-native, and invasive habitats.
3. Participated in a riparian nature hike and (photo) habitat scavenger hunt.
4. Compiled their Polaroid photos taken during the scavenger hunt and information cards about habitats into personalized ID books.
5. Engaged in a discussion of what habitats and specific plants in each habitat were encountered during their hike and why these habitats and the flora and fauna are important. Endangered or threatened species were especially emphasized.
6. Were split into smaller groups and played an “Endangered Species Survival Dice Game” where they engaged in a game of probability exploring the challenges faced by the endangered species at different life stages, which led into discussions about conservation issues and strategies based on game outcomes. The faces of each giant dice used in the game were designed by a local artist, focusing on an endangered species and each life phase it goes through from egg to adulthood.
7. Were divided into three groups and provided large printed posters with a local artist’s rendition of each of the endangered species focused on during the program and were encouraged to collaborate on coloring the posters while sharing facts and information they had learned about each species.

Students explored the Rincon Reservation, delving into the study of native plants, invasive species, and indigenous birds. They also gained an appreciation for local ecosystems such as riparian habitats and oak woodlands. The educational team from the Escondido Creek Conservancy discussed regional Endangered Species, highlighting those at the Reservation and the threats they face. The three key endangered species identified were the Least Bell’s Vireo, Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, and the Arroyo Toad. Students were taught ways to contribute to the protection of the Reservation, its ecosystems, and the species inhabiting it.

On Day 1, students embarked on a hike equipped with polaroid cameras, animal ID guides, and a habitat ID checklist for a scavenger hunt. Guided along a hiking trail, they learned about the diverse ecosystems, native plants, and invasive plant species within the Reservation. Students worked in pairs to photograph these plants, then created an ID book of all these species for future reference. Following the hike and ID book creation, students participated in an endangered species dice game, illustrating the life stages of the endangered Arroyo Toad. This led to discussions on conservation issues and strategies based on the game’s outcomes. The day continued with lessons on identifying threatened, endangered, and non-endangered species. By analyzing photos of various species, students collaborated to determine the classification of each. The day concluded with poster coloring activities depicting the three endangered species on the Reservation, enhancing their understanding and knowledge-sharing through group work.

At the conclusion of the event, the Escondido Creek Conservancy provided students with goodie bags containing nature watercolor kits, DIY Nature Kaleidoscopes, informational pamphlets on endangered species, magnifying glasses, reusable water bottles, binoculars, and their program creations. The day ended with the students snacking on Handel’s ice cream sundaes, celebrating their successful two-day experience.

Community Mural Painting – November 5, 2022 – Rincon Native American Heritage Month Event

Attendees of the Rincon Native American Heritage Month event that took place at the Government Center on November 5th were encouraged to use their artistic creativity to paint an 8-foot by 16-foot canvas mural featuring native plants and the endangered animal species found on the Rincon Reservation. The plants and animals were each labeled with Luiseño and English names and were placed against a beautiful, scenic backdrop of the Rincon Valley, with the Rincon dragonfly pattern stretching across the blue sky. Both children and adults gathered around the giant canvas installed in the patio area just outside of the Sunroom to collaboratively paint this massive art piece.

Escape Room Events For Elementary, Middle, and High School Students – May – June 2023

An escape room, also known as an escape game, puzzle room, or riddle room, is an exciting game in which a team of players discover clues, solve puzzles, and accomplish tasks in one or more rooms in order to accomplish a specific goal (typically finding the key to unlock the room) in a limited amount of time, typically finding the key to unlock the room. Rincon Education Center students participated in a series of three “escape room” style lessons in June 2023 where they learned about the endangered species living on the Rincon Reservation and the different types of habitats they live in. 

Escape rooms became popular in the 2010s and many can now be found across most US cities. Escape rooms can have a wide range of themes from mystery to science fiction to attract creative minds. The Escondido Creek Conservancy, a non-profit educational organization focused on teaching students about Southern California ecosystems, designed the escape room lesson plans as a fun teaching and learning tool for a classroom setting. The educational escape room was used as an effective and entertaining way to introduce a new topic, increase student engagement, and to develop team building. By working together to solve a challenge such as solving a puzzle or a riddle within a time limit to find the next clue, students demonstrate teamwork, problem-solving techniques, collaboration, and communication to meet their objective. These skills are key to a successful “escape” and learning about the natural world along the way.

The hour-long escape room lessons were held on three consecutive Friday afternoons for the elementary, middle, and high school students at the Education Center. Interactive lessons began with an introduction to five of San Diego County’s habitat types, its native plants, and animals adapted to live within each habitat. San Diego habitats include Chaparral, Coastal Sage Scrub, Oak Woodland, Grassland, and Riparian. Throughout the Escape Room lesson, the students learned the definition of an endangered species, the three types of endangered species that currently live within the Rincon Reservation preserve, the causes of declining endangered species populations such as habitat loss, and ways to help preserve these species and their habitats.  Working together in groups, students sorted plant and animal species into the correct habitats and solved riddles whose answers opened boxes locked with combination locks containing more clues. Solving these puzzles allowed students to access a key to open a second darkened room with the Milky Way projected on the ceiling to simulate night on the Rincon Reservation. Students worked together and used their audio skills to guess what endangered species call was being played. Was it the high croaking of the Arroyo Toad, the singing of the Least Bell’s vireo, or loud chirping of the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher? After the lesson, the students successfully “escaped” and were rewarded with a prize.

Nature Walk Field Trip – June 2, 2023

On June 2, 2023 the students who participated in the Escape Room events were invited to participate in a guided nature walk field trip to the San Luis Rey River to identify and experience the various habitats and native plants and amphibians (tadpoles) in person. In this hands-on activity, students identified common plant and animal species and learned ways they can become stewards of the environment to help protect the habitat and its endangered species.

The Endangered Species escape room lessons and field trip were funded through a Bureau of Indian Affairs grant to provide outreach and education about the endangered species on the Rincon Reservation and their importance to the ecosystem.

Rincon’s Guided Walk and Clean Up of the Preserve – June 10, 2023

On June 10, 2023 a guided nature walk designed with families in mind was conducted with Wildlife Biologist with a Rincon Cultural Department representative on June 10th through the Endangered Species Preserve near the San Luis Rey River. During the walk The biologist provided scientific information about the trees and insects, as well as the endangered species along the San Luis Rey River and the Cultural Department representative provided some cultural history and contrast. While participants walked, any trash encountered was collected and removed from the preserve. During the walk, participants were lucky enough to see a large number of endangered arroyo toads and tadpoles, as well as other amphibians.

After the 2 hour walk participants enjoyed some hard-earned pizza and ice cream treats.

Native Species Crafts – December 9, 2023 – Rincon Native American Heritage Month Event

The Rincon Native American Heritage Month event took place in early December at the Rincon Ball Fields Park. Attendees were encouraged to get their hands dirty with a series of three crafts at the Environmental Department booth. The crafts were designed to share knowledge about California native plants and animals.

The first craft involved making seedballs using seeds from native plants such as California Mugwort, Lupine, White Yarrow, California Poppy, and Purple, Black, and White Sages. Participants mixed clay, soil, cinnamon (to deter animals), and seeds together with their hands and rolled the concoction into a ball.  They then brought their seedballs home to plant and watch them grow.

The second craft option was making a bookmark with a colored drawing of one of the three endangered animals found on the Rincon Reservation. The endangered animals are the Arroyo Toad, the Least Bell’s Vireo, and the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher.

Lastly, booth guests could decorate and paint flowerpots with colorful art supplies available at the booth.  The flowerpots could be used to grow local Arroyo Willow Trees.  Participants were given instructions on how to propagate, or grow, an Arroyo Willow Tree from a small plant cutting.  If a living twig is cut from an existing willow tree, and it is planted into dirt and watered, the willow will grow into an entire tree!

Go back to Rincon Environmental Department (RED) Page.