Pacific Beach resident Trish Boaz, executive director of the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy, received the San Diego EarthWorks’ Sun Catcher award at the organization’s annual dinner on May 24. Every year, EarthWorks recognizes businesses, clubs, organizations and/or individuals that deserve special recognition for their work on behalf of a clean, healthy environment.
Boaz’s long-time friend, former City Councilmember Donna Frye, presented her with the award. Over the last 20 years, Frye and Boaz have worked together on environmental causes.
In 2013, Boaz joined the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy – a nonprofit dedicated to sustainable management of the natural resources of the San Dieguito Watershed – as executive director, bringing more than 30 years of conservation and environmental knowledge to the conservancy, as well as establishing positive relationships with many of the group’s partners.
The conservancy, established in 1986, following the Del Mar Lagoon Committee, has been successful in acquiring thousands of acres of land and restoring hundreds of acres of habitat. It is also close to completing the entire length of the 70-mile Coast to Crest Trail that stretches from North Beach in Del Mar to Volcan Mountain near Julian. Forty-five miles are already open to the public.
In short order, Boaz led the conservancy’s efforts, in partnership with the San Dieguito River Park JPA and the Volcan Mountain Foundation, to raise funds for the Birdwing Open Air Classroom at the San Dieguito Lagoon, and the River Path Del Mar; finalize trail alignments at Lusardi Creek and Pamo Valley; obtain grant funding for continued habitat-restoration projects; and work with their other conservation partners to acquire additional open-space lands.