Projects > Escondido Creek Watershed MULTIPLE TRANSACTIONS COMPLETED and underway, representing buyers and sellers (Unincorporated North San Diego County)

Since 2008, LCB has been a broker for the Escondido Creek Conservancy (TECC) on key land transactions in the Escondido Creek watershed. Located in the unincorporated County of San Diego near the cities of Escondido and San Marcos, the watershed is home to some of the most endangered landscapes in the region including habitat for the coastal California gnatcatcher. LCB is working closely with public and private funders to secure conservation funds so that willing sellers can sell their lands for conservation. In 2009, LCB helped TECC secure a 119-acre property from a private entity, Family Radio; the property was sold by TECC in a simultaneous transaction to the County of San Diego for $3,200,000. In 2012, LCB assisted in the purchase and sale of the 502-acre University Heights property for $7,400,000 to a private owner with TECC retaining an option to purchase when it secured long-term funding. In 2014, LCB helped TECC sell half of the University Heights property to San Diego County Parks for $4,000,000 and then in 2016, LCB helped TECC secure funds to purchase the remainder, also for $4,000,000, thus protecting the entire property in perpetuity. In November of 2013, Ann Van Leer also became the contract executive director of TECC, helping TECC with strategic planning and other land conservation initiatives in addition to brokering. In 2015, LCB helped TECC acquire the Cielo B property, a property that has been on TECC’s priority list for over two decades! Purchase price was $13,000,000. Other opportunities to secure key pieces of land in the watershed are currently underway.