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San Diego National Wildlife Refuge
13910 Lyons Valley Rd, Suite RAbout
Located in southwestern San Diego County, San Diego NWR is comprised of 4,224 acres of mainly coastal sage scrub, chaparral, riparian woodland, oak woodland, native grasslands, and vernal pools. It supports a rich diversity of native habitats and wildlife. The refuge comprises the Vernal Pools Unit and the Otay-Sweetwater Unit. The Vernal Pools Unit provides habitat for six federally listed endangered species (San Diego mesa mint, San Diego button celery, California Orcutt grass, Otay mesa mint, Riverside fairy shrimp, and San Diego fairy shrimp). The endangered Del Mar manzanita, Orcutt's spineflower, and Quino checkerspot butterfly may also occur in the upland habitats surrounding vernal pools. The Otay-Sweetwater Unit provides habitat for the threatened coastal California gnatcatcher, endangered least Bell's vireo, endangered southwestern willow flycatcher, endangered Quino checkerspot butterfly, endangered arroyo southwestern toad, endangered California red-legged frog, and listed species found in vernal pools. This refuge is not open to public use. From Interstate 805, Interstate 15, or Interstate 5, go east (inland) on State Route 94 (Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway, later becoming Campo Rd.) towards Campo. Turn left on Lyons Valley Rd. and go approximately 1/4 mile. The office is located on the left side of Lyons Valley Rd. in a small business complex.
