Biodiverse SD was developed to preserve a network of habitat and open space, protecting species and ecosystems that improve our quality of life. Biodiverse SD, which includes the City’s Multiple Species Conservation Program, protects 85 species, including endangered species like the California gnatcatcher and other species of concern unique to San Diego such as the western burrowing owl.

This program was developed by the City in cooperation with wildlife agencies, property owners, developers, and environmental groups.  Biodiverse SD delineates core biological resource areas and corridors targeted for conservation, called the Multi-Habitat Planning Area (MHPA). Within the MHPA, limited development may occur to ensure the long-term habitat conservation plan for the 85 Covered Species addresses needs of multiple species and the preservation of natural vegetation communities.

The goal of protecting these areas is to conserve this land in perpetuity and protect the region’s biodiversity. The City’s City Planning Department maintains and updates the Biodiverse SD Interactive Map (updates in progress), which allows you to see if your home is within or close to the MHPA by entering your address.

Strategic Plan Priority Areas of Focus

This program focuses on the following priority areas of the Strategic Plan:

Multiple Species Conservation Program

The Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) was developed to preserve a network of habitat and open space, protecting biodiversity, and enhancing the region's quality of life. The City of San Diego is one of several jurisdictions participating in the MSCP. The MSCP covers 85 species and the core biological resource areas are identified within the City's Multi-Habitat Planning Areas.

The City has completed the planning effort to identify core biological resource areas targeted for conservation and has entered into an Implementing Agreement with federal and state wildlife agencies to ensure implementation of the resource conservation plan and habitat preserve. Current efforts of City MSCP staff largely focus on project review, preserve assembly and biological monitoring.

Biological Monitoring

The City performs a variety of biological monitoring activities in conformance with the Biological Monitoring Plan for the Multiple Species Conservation Program (1996).

MSCP Annual Reporting and Workshop

The workshop provides an opportunity for the public and interested parties to learn more about unique habitats in the San Diego region and the role of the MSCP in preserving open space. Annual workshops are hosted on a rotating basis by participating jurisdictions and members of the public and other interested parties are invited to attend.

Vernal Pool Habitat Conservation Plan

The City of San Diego Vernal Pool Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) is intended to provide an effective framework to protect, enhance, and restore vernal pool resources within the City of San Diego, while improving and streamlining the environmental permitting process for impacts to threatened and endangered species associated with vernal pools. Access the Vernal Pool Interactive Map to locate the pools and refer to the Vernal Pool Species Data Glossary for descriptions of the vernal pool species abbreviations and attribute values used in the map data. The Vernal Pool HCP would provide coverage for threatened and endangered vernal pool species that do not currently have federal coverage under the City of San Diego's Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) Subarea Plan. The Vernal Pool HCP is compatible with the MSCP and expands upon the City's existing Multi-Habitat Planning Area to conserve additional lands with vernal pool resources. The Vernal Pool HCP covered species includes the following seven threatened and endangered species:

• Otay Mesa mint (Pogogyne nudiuscula, PONU)
• San Diego Mesa mint (Pogogyne abramsii, POAB)
• Spreading navarretia (Navarretia fossalis, NAFO)
• San Diego button-celery (Eryngium aristulatum var. parishii, ERAR)
• California Orcutt grass (Orcuttia californica, ORCA)
• Riverside fairy shrimp (Streptocephalus woottoni, RFS)
• San Diego fairy shrimp (Branchinecta sandiegonensis, SDFS)

Development Regulations for MSCP/VPHCP

This section is intended to provide helpful links to the most commonly referenced Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) and Vernal Pool Habitat Conservation Plan implementing regulations and development guidelines and is not intended to substitute for a comprehensive review of other City regulations and land use policies that affect the MSCP.