Accomplishments & History of VMF
In 1987, 220 pristine acres of wildland habitat were threatened by a residential development on Volcan Mountain—one of the last privately-owned and relatively untouched areas of Southern California. The Volcan Mountain Foundation (VMF) was born in 1988 out of the quiet diplomacy of a group of concerned Julian citizens seeking a solution that would retain the land in its natural state while finding a way to equitably compensate willing sellers of land.
By developing conservancy partnerships, VMF has facilitated the establishment of San Diego County’s Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve and the preservation of over 17,000 acres. The foundation continues to work towards preservation of the entire Volcan Mountain range.
In 2009, VMF acquired nearly 300 centrally-located acres on Volcan Mountain for conservation and to create a place to launch education and habitat management programs. VMF’s Education Program brings environmental stewardship into the classroom and students to the mountain to learn about the importance of open space habitat protection and connectivity, watershed protection, natural and human history, as well as hands-on restoration and stewardship projects. An outdoor classroom with an interpretive trail is being developed in an ancient oak, pine and cedar grove that will set lightly on the land and provide students an inspiring introduction to this natural wonderland.