Nature Conservancy in San Diego- Help

[Kandhy Franklin <kfrankli@sdcoe.k12.ca.us>]

In the El Cajon area of San Diego, Calif., the Nature Conservancy has
purchased about 4,000 acrea from a commercial developer to prevent the
building of homes and protect the habitat.  The residents in the area
created a group called Crest Open Space Supporters (COS) to help
facilitate the action.  It was suggested they negociate with Republic
Lands Trust because it did not have the history of turning the land over
to the fish and game department; who in our area have a tendancy to
close the property. They did not, and now the Conservancy is waiting for
the fish and game to take over.  There was a meeting in Crest where the
COS group leader disbanded the group.  Those in the audience felt this
should not be done and that we need to find a local group to take over: 
such as the county or a local company.  The "those" will be meeting this
week to seek out methods of communicating with agencies and coming up
with a plana to protect the area as well as leaving it open to the
activities that have been happening there for over 30 years.  We would
like some input as who to contact, is this a done deal, what are some
agencies that might help?  Any ideas???
Thanks
Kandhy Franklin-Collins
San Diego Trails Council
Crest Community Treasurer
(619) 444-4996