One of the tools that the County of San Diego (County) uses to preserve the region’s unique native habitats and wildlife biodiversity is the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP). Finalized in 1998, the MSCP was a partnership between the County, 11 other jurisdictions (including the Cities of San Diego and Chula Vista), community stakeholders, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The MSCP South County Subarea Plan, adopted in 1997, protects and connects the most valuable biological habitats in the southwestern portion of the unincorporated county, while allowing development to occur in less sensitive areas. The goal of the MSCP South County Subarea Plan is to assemble a 98,379-acre preserve that supports 85 plant and animal species covered by the plan. As of December 31, 2024, the preserve totals 81,566 acres, or 83% of the goal. See all of the 2024-year highlights in the 2024 MSCP South County Subarea Plan Annual Report.

Over the past 27 years of MSCP implementation, the County’s efforts have continually focused on creating a preserve system through land acquisitions, management and monitoring of those lands, mitigation of private projects, regional coordination with partners, and environmental education and outreach.

• Department of Parks and Recreation acquires County preserve lands, manages and monitors over 47,000 acres within the MSCP South County Subarea Plan, drafts North County MSCP, as well as proposed East County MSCP Plan Areas.
• Planning & Development Services ensures that private development projects comply with the MSCP and approved Resource Management Plans by reviewing the annual reports of 26 private preserves.

Currently, the County is working on the development of the North County Multiple Species Conservation Program (North County Plan) for the northwestern portion of the unincorporated county.

To learn more or subscribe to updates on the MSCP, please visit our website.