About Anstine
The Anstine Nature Preserve is an eleven-acre site located within the County of San Diego, adjacent to the cities of Vista and Oceanside. It is managed as an open space by the San Diego Bird Alliance. The property was previously owned and occupied by John and Lois Anstine from the late 1940s to the late 1990’s. During this time, they added to the house and built other structures, manipulated the creek and created a pond, and planted and maintained flower beds and a small fruit orchard. In the mid-1990’s Mr Anstine asked the San Diego Bird Alliance to manage and maintain the property's open space.
Three native plant communities occur within the boundaries of the Anstine Preserve - Coastal Sage Scrub, Southern Willow Riparian Forest, and Coast Live Oak Woodland. Non-native and disturbed conditions are also present as a result of habitat removal, construction, and other human activities on and off-site. Since 1999, nearly one-hundred species of plants, eight species of mammals, six reptiles, and more than one-hundred species of birds have been recorded on the site.
Adopt-a-Trail program
Anstine’s loop trail of 3,675 ft provides engaging pathways for more than 1,600 visitors each year, and more than 850 students visit the Anstine Nature Preserve to learn about coastal sage scrub and riparian habitats, identify local and migratory birds, and restore native habitat for wildlife.
The sustainability of the Anstine Nature Preserve’s trail system depends on both volunteer and monetary support. Anstine Adopt-A-Trail program provides direct monetary support essential to upkeep Anstine’s 7 trail segments.
Adoption of the trails is for one year. San Diego Bird Alliance will provide standard signage and inscription of the name/s provided by the Adopter. At the end of the adoption period, the donor will be contacted either to renew support or have the signage removed. The Adopters will be acknowledged with “Adopted by” signage at each trailhead for the duration of your adoption gift, on our website, and in the annual report. SDBA reserves the right of final approval for the name(s) recommended for the trail naming opportunity.
If you would like to learn more about sponsoring a trail at Anstine Nature Preserve, please
contact Associate Director Esther Tsai at etsai@sandiegobirdalliance.org.
