Why is the Ramona Grasslands so important?

By Carolyn A. Dorroh

The Ramona Grasslands is not merely a Ramona Community, San Diego County, or California State asset, it's a National Treasure.

"Just a ½ hour northeast of downtown Dan Diego lies one of the rarest places in Southern California. Dotted with boulders, oak woodlands, vernal pools and Native American cultural sites, the 8,000-acre Ramona Grasslands is one of the last remnants of grassland habitat in Southern California - and one of the most threatened habitats in the world."

"Grasslands in California are rare and complicated ecosystems. With their flat land and rich soil, they are easily invaded by exotic species, agricultural development and urban growth. Less than 1% of all California grasslands remains, yet the remnants harbor an astounding array of biodiversity..."

"In addition to the many federally listed endangered species found in the Ramona Grasslands - such as Stephens' kangaroo rat, San Diego fairy shrimp, and arroyo southwestern toad - scientist have found Parish's brittlescale, a plant thought to be extinct until recently."

Unfortunately, the threat is very real. With over 99% of all California natural grasslands destroyed our community has 8,000 acres of it with developers fighting to dump as much human intervention into it that they possibly can.

Our young country has so few cultural artifacts dating back to this Pamu Indian civilization that existed 2000 years ago in the Ramona Grasslands. These cultural resources may not have the luxury of an Egyptian King's tomb, or be the architectural marvel of the Roman Pantheon, nor have the expanse of the Great Wall of China, and after 2000 years, it may not be a lovely thing to look at. Never the less, the cultural resources on this land needs to be preserved for future generations.

I believe that the Ramona Grasslands should be declared a National Treasure and that no development of any kind should occur on it. Please help.