Daley Ranch - Escondido, CA

05/17/2026

It has been a cool and pleasant Spring in Escondido this year. A refreshing hike in Daley Ranch with blooming flowers.

05/11/2026

7th graders visit Daley Ranch

All the 7th-grade students from Escondido Union School District’s middle schools visit Daley Ranch for a full-day of learning about nature and history of Daley Ranch as well as its preservation. This year there were 11 days of field trips.

Students are bused from their school to the entrance gate of Daley Ranch. They then hike to the Ranch House. The education program is divided into five learning stations which are led by volunteer educators and rangers. The program includes:
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1. Nature hike exploring native plants and Habitats including chaparral, oak woodlands, and grasslands.
2. The mammals of Daley Ranch including taxidermy specimens.*
3. Native American Culture: Explore the history of the original inhabitants of the area.
4. All About Daley Ranch: its history and concepts of preservation and conservation
5. Smaller animals: reptiles, amphibians, insects including encounters with live snakes and a tarantula

Students rotate between stations with a break for lunch. Friends of Daley Ranch (FODR) has been sponsoring the outdoor educational program at Daley Ranch for the 7th graders from the EUSD for the past 20 years. It was initiated and run by Fred Woods, a former FODR president and science teacher, and Rick Mercurio, a long-time board member of FODR. Both were long-time teachers.

FODR welcomes volunteers and donations for the ongoing program.

05/09/2026

SDG&E is replacing electric wires in Daley Ranch to improve service and reduce fire risk.

04/14/2026

Jennifer Radkey, a researcher in biology and conservation, gave a wonderful presentation on pollinators, bumble bees and their conservation and management.

Jennifer talked about the life cycle of bees, other types of pollinators other than bees, how they can compete with one another for population growth. She mentioned their survey project of bumble bees population vs other pollinators in Daley Ranch to manage and conserve native pollinators within the conserve.

For those who are planning a pollinator garden, she suggests planting a variety of pollinator-supporting flowering plants which will bloom at different time of the year to support the full life cycle of the pollinators.

The next FODR Discussion with Friends will be on Sunday, July 12. The topic is about turtles. More details will follow as the date is near.

04/12/2026

Interesting Discussion about Pollinators of Daley Ranch. Thank you Jennifer Radkey for a wonderful presentation.

Hope everyone who attended the event enjoyed it and did not get too wet walking back to the parking lot

If you’d like notice of future events, sign up for our enewslletter. https://daleyranch.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9639c350e53ae4fbb5432a655&id=4a15c610b5

03/24/2026

Mountain lions were the topic at the January 11 Daley Ranch Discussions With Friends, led by James Bourdon.

The Ranch House was at capacity for his riveting and fact-filled presentation, which included viewing the carcass of a fully-grown mountain lion that had been killed on I-15 years earlier and kept in cold storage for research.

FODR was very impressed with the project to monitor and encourage mountain lion populations, and we donated $500 to Bourdon’s team.

03/24/2026

~ Learn all about pollinators! ~

Daley Ranch Discussions With Friends
Sunday, April 12 at 11 a.m.
at the Ranch House

Bumble bees are the photogenic insects that highlight the vast array of native pollinators that call Daley Ranch home. Join expert Jennifer Radkey for a free presentation on Sunday, April 12 at 11 a.m. at the Ranch House, for Daley Ranch Discussions With Friends.

Besides bumble bees, native bees are the most effective pollinators, but many other insects also visit flowers for nectar or pollen, or to eat the flower visitors. This fascinating system is critical for the conservation of the native plant communities that make Daley Ranch such a beautiful place to visit.

Jennifer will discuss the initial results of bumble bee surveys along with the potential for long term management of these important creatures. She will also discuss other native pollinators, their conservation and how you can give back locally to ensure that our natural systems endure and thrive. Jennifer is a biologist trained in ecology and evolutionary biology with a passion for restoring functional systems in California.

She strives to understand the interconnectedness of the plants and animals in our natural areas to promote restoration and conservation. Jennifer is hopeful that so many people are interested in nature and seeks to inspire curiosity in others. Jennifer channels this passion by volunteering as a teacher, leading the Small Animal Station of the 7th Grade Outdoor Education Program sponsored by The Friends of Daley Ranch.

Guests may hike the mile to the Ranch House or use a complimentary shuttle starting at 9:15.

RSVPs are required by April 5. For more information phone Rick at 760-214-7587.
RSVP by clicking the link below.

03/20/2026

🐦Want to learn more about our amazing local bird species here in San Diego? Our FREE Conservation Conversations lecture series🍄 returns next month, and we're so thrilled to be joined by Beth Pearson, Palomar Audubon Society President and Professor of Biology at Palomar College.

🦉When: Thursday, April 16th, 2026
🦉Where: Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve
🦉Time: 6PM -7PM

🌎Beth will highlight local species, and teach us all about the challenges these birds face, along with local conservation efforts!

🎟️Reserve your spot using our Eventbrite today! It's free to attend, but you must reserve your spot.

🍓Sandwiches, chips, fruit, and beverages sponsored by Jimbo's!

03/19/2026

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1368891405266593&id=100064372402260&mibextid=wwXIfr

02/11/2026