Anstine-Audubon Nature Preserve

The Anstine-Audubon Nature Preserve is an eleven-acre site located within the County of San Diego adjacent to the cities of Vista and Oceanside. It is managed as an open space area by the San Diego Audubon Society in the same manner as its much larger and wilder preserve, the Silverwood Wildlife Sanctuary situated east of Lakeside.

The property was previously owned and occupied by John and Lois Anstine (pronounced “an-steen”) from the late 1940's to the late 1990's. During this time they added to the house and built other structures, manipulated the creek and created a pond, and planted and maintained flower beds and a small fruit orchard. In the mid-1990's, Mr. Anstine asked San Diego Audubon to manage and maintain the property as open space, and they agreed. Mrs. Anstine passed away in 1988 and Mr. Anstine passed in 1999.

Three native plant communities occur within the boundaries of the Anstine Preserve - Coastal Sage Scrub, Southern Willow Riparian Forest, and Coast Live Oak Woodland. Non-native and disturbed conditions are also present as a result of habitat removal, construction, and other human activities on and off site. Since 1999, nearly one-hundred species of plants, five species each of reptiles and mammals, and nearly one-hundred species of birds, have been recorded on the site.

Volunteer work-days take place periodically and interested persons are welcome to contact us to participate. We are accepting donations of new or used garden tools such as round-tipped shovels, flexible and stiff rakes, branch loppers, and brooms. For more information about donations or other activities, contact Becky Wilbanks at (760) 295-1548 beckywilbanks@cox.net.

Entrance Sign Request

We are seeking help to design, construct, and pay for a sturdy sign to identify and promote the Anstine-Audubon Nature Preserve to visitors, volunteers, neighbors and passersby, just inside our entrance gate on Hutchison Street, in Vista.

Demonstration Gardens

We are seeking motivated and energetic individuals to help design, construct, and maintain two planned demonstration gardens at the Anstine-Audubon Nature Preserve. One is planned for the bed beside the old garage and the other in the area between the driveway and the caretaker's residence.