Randall Preserve Planning
The Coastal Corridor Alliance has a leadership role in the planning for the land formerly called Banning Ranch, now the Randall Preserve/Genga (Randall Preserve). Because the land was under private ownership for more than a century, the critical next step before public access occurs is setting up a property management plan. The titleholder, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) collaborated with CCA for a multi-year comprehensive planning effort. Brief summaries are provided here of the plans developed and approved by the MRCA Board in August 2026.
Hay servicio de interpretación al español disponible.
A dedicated website was established for the property. Go to: RandallPreserve.org.
Approved Plans
The Resource Management Plan (RMP) includes a site description, property management details, habitat and species monitoring and management, an analysis of future funding needs, and identification of restoration opportunities.
The Public Access Plan (PAP) is a chapter within the Resource Management Plan and it outlines who, what, when, where, and why specific uses on the land are or are not allowed. There are more than five miles of trails planned on the Preserve.
The Coastal Resilience Strategy (CRS) assesses hazard risk and community vulnerability, identifies nature-based solutions, and measures the effectiveness of our actions to reduce hazard risk and build climate resilience.
The Recreation Impact Analysis (RIA) developed visitor management and adaptive management frameworks to protect sensitive species and habitats while supporting equitable, low-impact public recreation.
What’s Next?
Through a partnership with Sea and Sage Audubon Society, CCA coordinates monthly bird monitoring on the Randall Preserve. This data is useful to track birds species and changes over time. To date, the teams have identified over 160 species using the site ranging from osprey to songbirds.
In 2026, CCA receive a grant from the State Coastal Conservancy to hire Moffatt & Nichol to analyze up to three alternatives and complete an analysis to restore tidal wetlands on the Randall Preserve. It is expected that short-, medium-, and long-term options will be evaluated.
CCA also received funding to study vernal pools (an ephemeral wetland on the mesa). With the anticipated El Niño in 2026-27 this is the perfect time to determine vernal pool watersheds and if they are occupied with federally listed San Diego Fairy Shrimp. These surveys play into the public access.
CCA and MRCA are working closely to fund future studies that help implement the Public Access Plan on the Preserve. This includes Ecological Studies and a Vision Plan for the site. Further details are available in the Implementation Matrix.
For more information, contact:
Melanie Schlotterbeck
Stewardship Consultant