Multiple Species Conservation Plan to be Zoom topic

Village News/Courtesy photo

County Senior Planner Stephanie Neal will talk about the Multiple Species Conservation Plan for the Sept. 24 FCAT Zoom meeting.

FALLBROOK – Fallbrook Climate Action Team will present a talk by County Senior Planner Stephanie Neal on the Multiple Species Conservation Plan on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom.

Neal is a senior planner in the Sustainability Planning Division within the County of San Diego's Department of Planning & Development Services. She has a B.S. in Biological Sciences with a concentration in ecology from the California State University of San Marcos.

During her seven years at the county, Neal has worked on a variety of projects including conservation programs to preserve farmland and habitat within the San Diego region. She works on challenging projects that require a comprehensive approach and strategic planning for the development of safe, enjoyable, healthy, and sustainable communities.

The Multiple Species Conservation Program preserves San Diego's native habitats and wildlife for future generations. It works across political boundaries, providing a unique framework for region-wide conservation efforts – balancing them with streamlined building regulations and permit processes to support healthy community growth.

The goal of the MSCP plan is to acquire or permanently protect 98,379 acres in the unincorporated area of San Diego's South County. Since 1998, the MSCP South County Subarea Plan was approved, thousands of acres of land have been added to the MSCP by local, state and federal agencies.

The overall effect of the MSCP is that it provides for large, connected preserve areas that address a number of species needs at the habitat level (rather than species-by-species or area-by-area). This creates a more efficient and effective preservation system as well as better protection for the rare, threatened and endangered species in the region. The North County Subarea Plan is under development now.

FCAT presents monthly (except December) presentations about climate change and mitigation, usually on the last Tuesday of the month on Zoom. To receive the Zoom link, sign up for the group's e-blast on the website https://fallbrookclimateactionteam.org/.

Submitted by the Fallbrook Climate Action Team.