September at Mission Trails: Volunteer Crews Return, Field Trips Begin and More

September is a busy month at Mission Trails, with school field trips starting, volunteer crews returning and major work continuing to protect the park for the future.

One of the biggest efforts underway is happening across the landscape itself, where crews are reducing wildfire risk, restoring habitat and improving the health of the park.

More Than 750 Acres Cleared to Reduce Wildfire Risk

Since fall 2024, more than 750 acres of invasive fire fuels at Mission Trails have been cleared as part of a major vegetation management effort to reduce wildfire risk and improve habitat. Another staggering figure is that the biomass removed to date totals 62 tons.

The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation has invested more than $1 million to do this work, supported by significant grant funding that has made large-scale vegetation removal possible.

After a pause during nesting season, crews will return after Sept. 15 to continue this important work across the park.

Mountain Lion Sightings Continue Across Mission Trails

A mountain lion has now been spotted several more times in different areas of Mission Trails Regional Park, including on both sides of Mission Gorge Road.

Seeing a mountain lion in the park is a positive reminder that Mission Trails is providing important wildlife habitat. It also means visitors should stay alert and know how to safely share the landscape with a large predator. Mountain lions generally avoid people, and simply seeing one does not mean it is a threat.

If you encounter a mountain lion:

Do not run. Running can trigger a mountain lion’s instinct to chase.
Face the animal and stay upright. Do not crouch or bend over.
Make yourself look larger. Raise your arms or open your jacket.
Speak firmly and back away slowly, giving the animal plenty of space and a clear escape route.
Keep children close and pick up small children if you can do so without bending over.
Keep pets leashed and close to you.
If a mountain lion attacks, fight back and try to remain standing while protecting your head and neck.

Whenever possible, hike with a companion and stay especially aware of your surroundings around dawn and dusk, when mountain lions may be more active.

Drivers should also use extra caution on Mission Gorge Road. Recent sightings suggest the mountain lion is moving between different parts of the park and crossing the roadway. Please slow down and watch carefully for wildlife, particularly around dawn and dusk.

If you live near the park, bring pets indoors at night and keep dogs leashed if you take them outside after dark. Also, bring in pet food, water and other attractants so your yard is less inviting to wildlife.

Living alongside a mountain lion means giving it room to move safely while making smart choices on the trail, on the road and in our own yards.

September Heat Can Be Dangerous for Dogs, Too

September and other fall months can still bring some of San Diego’s hottest days, so don’t let the calendar fool you when it comes to hiking with your dog.

Mission Trails volunteer Trail Guide Julie and City of San Diego Ranger Monica Demetry recently teamed up for a video about keeping dogs safe in the heat. Julie also sometimes sets up outreach tables near trailheads to talk with visitors about pet safety and remind people just how quickly trails can heat up.

Their advice is simple: bring plenty of water, hike early or wait until the ground has cooled and watch for signs like excessive panting, slowing down, seeking shade or refusing to keep walking. And if it’s going to be over 80 degrees during your hike, the safest choice may be to leave your dog at home.

Sometimes the best hike for your dog is no hike at all.

Field Trips Booked for School Year

Mission Trails field trips are booked for the 2026-27 school year, and we’re ready to welcome thousands of students back to the park.

Last school year, collectively, City and Mission Trails Regional Park Foundations staff provided field trips to more than 6,000 local youth. Thanks to its donors, the Foundation is able to offer bus reimbursement for Title I schools, helping reduce one of the biggest barriers to getting students outdoors.

Demand continues to exceed the number of field trips the MTRP Foundation can offer. With additional support, the Foundation could add more free field trips, reach more schools and help even more students experience outdoor learning at Mission Trails.

The People Behind the Park:

Jonathan Serna

Jonathan Serna’s path to environmental education started with storytelling. While studying English literature at UC Berkeley, a class on eco-criticism sparked his interest in the way we communicate about nature and the environment.

Today, Jonathan works in environmental education for the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation, helping students connect with the outdoors through hands-on learning, nature journaling, photography and video.

This month, he’ll lead the Foundation’s new fall cohort of Eco Ambassadors, which begins Sept. 13. The free MTRP Foundation program gives San Diego County high school students opportunities to explore conservation careers, conduct research, take part in stewardship projects and build leadership skills. The fall cohort of 30 students are from 22 different high schools across the county.

For Jonathan, the goal is less about telling students what to notice and more about helping them slow down and really experience the beauty around them.

“You can take a quick drive here and have a great adventure,” he says. “It’s all about being open to what you can see wherever you go.”

Volunteer Crews to Return

After a summer break during the hottest part of the year, Mission Trails volunteer crews return in September, and there is now a new way to pitch in.

The new Invasive Species Crew meets on the first Saturdays and works with City of San Diego Ranger Dustin Furlong to remove mustards, thistles and other invasive plants throughout the park, helping protect wildlife habitat and reduce fire risk.

That joins four other monthly ranger-led crews: Trail Maintenance on first Sundays, Habitat Restoration on second Saturdays, Kumeyaay Lake Campground on third Saturdays and Park Beautification on fourth Saturdays.

There is now a volunteer work crew happening nearly every weekend of the month. No experience is required.

Learn more at mtrp.org/volunteer or watch a short video here.

Save the Dates: Holiday Marketplace Returns on Nov. 14-15

The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation’s Holiday Marketplace returns this year, bringing local makers, artists and vendors to the Visitor Center for a festive weekend of shopping at the park.

Interested in being a vendor? The deadline to apply is Sept. 7, so this is the last call to get your application in.

Save the date and watch for more details soon.

Latino Conservation Week at MTRP

Mission Trails is celebrating Latino Conservation Week with special free programs that invite more of our community to connect with the park, including opportunities to experience programs in both English and Spanish.

Reading with a Ranger

Saturday, Sept. 12, 11AM, Visitor Center

Join a City of San Diego park ranger for a special Reading with a Ranger program presented in English and Spanish.

Spanish-Language Guided Nature Walk

Saturday, Sept. 19, 9:30AM, Visitor Center

Three Spanish-speaking MTRP Trail Guides will lead a special guided nature walk presented entirely in Spanish. The walk departs from inside the Visitor Center at the same time as the regularly scheduled English-language walk.

Owl Pellets Discovery Table

Saturday, Sept. 19, 10AM–1PM, Visitor Center Lobby

Stop by to learn about owls and what their pellets can tell us about what they eat. Information and activities will be presented in English and Spanish.

Celebrating Biodiversity

Sept. 15 is Biodiversity Day, and San Diego County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe will mark the occasion with a proclamation recognizing the importance of protecting the San Diego region’s plants, wildlife and natural habitats.

Mission Trails is an important part of that story. The park provides habitat for an extraordinary variety of species, while City of San Diego park rangers, the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation and research partners help document and better understand the wildlife that lives here.

From trail cameras capturing coyotes, bobcats, deer and mountain lions to habitat restoration and land conservation, protecting biodiversity is part of the work happening across Mission Trails every single day.

September Nights at Kumeyaay Lake

There are still a few chances to experience Mission Trails after dark this month.

On Sept. 5 at 7PM, join City of San Diego Ranger Brandon Botticelli and Trail Guide volunteer Linda Stafford for a campfire program about nocturnal wildlife at Kumeyaay Lake Campground.

On Sept. 12, there are two evening options. The Bat Walk is sold out, but you can still join the waitlist in case a spot opens up. Or, at 6:30PM, join MTRP Trail Guides for a free Guided Evening Nature Walk Around Kumeyaay Lake. No reservations are required for the walk.

And on Sept. 19 at 6:15PM, join the last summer twilight walk from the Bushy Hill parking lot. Come early for the special Kumeyaay Children’s Games and Toys Discovery Table at the campground shade structure from 4:15 to 6:15PM.

Get all the event details at mtrp.org/events.

More Shade at the Visitor Center

Two large new umbrellas are now in place on the Visitor Center terrace, adding more shade for visitors enjoying the outdoor space.

The improvement was made possible thanks to generous donors and LUCE et Studio, helping make the terrace a more comfortable place to sit, gather and take in the view.

Coffee with Councilmember Campillo

Stop by the Mission Trails Visitor Center on Sept. 26 at 9AM for Coffee with Councilmember Raul Campillo.

It’s a casual opportunity to meet the councilmember, ask questions and connect with neighbors while spending a little time at Mission Trails. Register here.

People’s Choice Winner Announced

The 2026 Mission Trails Photo Contest drew 207 submissions, with 104 finalists selected for exhibition at the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor and Interpretive Center. Earlier this summer, the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation announced winners across six categories, including Best in Show, based on scores from an independent panel of judges.

Now, the people have spoken, too.

Congratulations to Inigo Yanguas, winner of the 2026 People’s Choice Award for “Wings in the Last Light.” The image, which also earned an honorable mention in the Adults - Animals category, received the most votes from visitors during the exhibition.

And while this year’s photo show has wrapped up, we’re working to bring more art back to the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor and Interpretive Center.

Keep an eye out for future exhibitions and other opportunities to experience art inspired by Mission Trails.

Grand Canyon Film Screening on Sept. 5 to Benefit Mission Trails

An independent feature film shot largely inside the Grand Canyon is coming to San Diego, with a portion of proceeds from the screening benefiting the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation.

"Granite Rapids Moon" follows a father on a solo trek through the Grand Canyon and was filmed with permission and oversight from the National Park Service, with cast and crew carrying their equipment over 82 miles of hiking.

The film screens at 6PM Saturday, Sept. 5, at the Angelika Film Center in Carmel Mountain Ranch, followed by a Q&A with writer/director John Charles Meyer.

The more moviegoers who attend after hearing about the screening from Mission Trails, the larger the portion of box office proceeds donated to the Foundation.

Get tickets here.

HOT TIP: September Can Still Be Hot

Fall may be approaching, but September can bring some of San Diego’s hottest days. Check the forecast before heading out, start early, carry plenty of water and consider a shorter route when temperatures climb.

Out on the Trail with the Trail Guides

MTRP’s volunteer Trail Guides lead walks, discovery tables and other programs throughout the park, helping visitors learn more about Mission Trails’ plants, wildlife, history and culture.

Visitor Center Guided Nature Walks

Every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 9:30AM

Beginning Sept. 2, MTRP Trail Guides return to their regular 9:30AM start time for guided nature walks departing from the Visitor Center.

Kumeyaay Lake Walks

Every second and fourth Saturday at 8:30AM

Meet at the Kumeyaay Lake Campground Entry Station.

Wildlife Tracking Walk

Saturday, Sept. 5, 8AM

Field Station at the East Fortuna Staging Area

Join experienced MTRP Tracking Team members for an adventure in wildlife tracking.

Raptor Talk with Dr. Bob Gordon

Sunday, Sept. 6, 9AM-12PM

Visitor Center Lobby

Meet local falconer Dr. Bob Gordon and his feathered friends and learn more about birds of prey.

Labor Day Guided Nature Walk

Monday, Sept. 7, 9:30AM

Visitor Center

Join MTRP Trail Guides for a special Labor Day guided nature walk. No reservations are required.

Plant Parts Discovery Table

Monday, Sept. 7, 10AM-1PM

Visitor Center Lobby

Stop by after the Labor Day walk to explore the parts of plants and learn more about how they grow and function.

Animal Skulls Discovery Table

Saturday, Sept.12, 10AM-1PM

Visitor Center Lobby

Learn about animal skulls from MTRP Trail Guides. You’ll be amazed at how much you can learn about an animal's lifestyle by examining the features of its skull.

Guided Evening Nature Walk Around Kumeyaay Lake

Saturday, Sept. 12, 6:30PM

Kumeyaay Lake Campground

Join MTRP Trail Guides for the final evening guided walk around Kumeyaay Lake of the summer. Learn about the plants, animals, geology and history of the park as the sun goes down. No reservations are required.

Guided Bird Walk

Friday, Sept. 18 and Saturday, Sept. 19, 8AM

Old Mission Dam parking lot

Join MTRP bird walk leaders for a guided bird walk. In this dry season, the water will attract birds, and some migratory species may have arrived.

Spanish-Language Guided Nature Walk

Saturday, Sept. 19, 9:30AM

Visitor Center

Spanish-speaking MTRP Trail Guides will lead a special guided nature walk presented entirely in Spanish. The walk will depart from inside the Visitor Center at the same time as the regularly scheduled guided nature walk, offering a separate option for visitors who prefer narration in Spanish.

Owl Pellets Discovery Table

Saturday, Sept. 19, 10AM-1PM

Visitor Center Lobby

In recognition of National Latino Conservation Week, stop by this special Discovery Table to learn about owls and what their pellets can tell us about what they eat. Materials will be presented in English and Spanish.

Kumeyaay Children’s Games and Toys Discovery Table

Saturday, Sept. 19, 4:15-6:15PM

Kumeyaay Lake Campground Shade Structure

Learn about traditional Kumeyaay children’s games and toys at this special evening Discovery Table.

Last Summer Twilight Walk

Saturday, Sept. 19, 6:15PM

Bushy Hill Parking Lot

Join MTRP Trail Guides for the final summer twilight walk of the season. Arrive early and stop by the Kumeyaay Children’s Games and Toys Discovery Table before the walk begins. No reservations are required.

Birding Basics Class

Saturday, Sept. 26, 1PM

Visitor Center Classroom A

Learn 5 simple techniques to identify birds at a glance.

Trail Tykes

10AM every Wednesday and Sunday at the Visitor Center

Trail Tykes is the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation’s free program for young children, with stories, crafts, activities and short walks that help little ones explore nature.

In August, the program welcomed a special guest: U.S. Rep. Sara Jacobs, who read “Wake, Sleepy One: California Poppies” and joined families for poppy-themed activities and a discovery walk.

Trail Tykes is designed for children ages 2 to 5, though younger siblings are welcome too. Registration is required.

Learn more and register here.

September Star Parties at Mission Trails

There are two chances to stargaze at Mission Trails this month with the San Diego Astronomy Association.

On Friday, Sept. 4, head to Kumeyaay Lake Campground at sunset, where telescopes will be set up in the Day-Use Parking Lot. Guests should park in the Bushy Hill Parking Lot and walk in to prevent dust from kicking up onto the telescope lenses. A flashlight or headlamp with a red-light setting is recommended.

Then, on Friday, Sept. 18, join another Star Party at the West Sycamore Staging Area, where viewing begins at dusk.

Both events are free. Rain, cloudy skies or other poor viewing conditions may cancel.

Volunteer at Mission Trails

Help care for Mission Trails by welcoming visitors, supporting educational programs and joining hands-on projects throughout the park.

Visitor Center Volunteers

Welcome guests, answer questions, assist in the Gift Shop and help MTRP Foundation staff with school groups. Half-day and Gift Shop shifts are available.

Volunteer Work Crews

Join monthly crews that maintain trails, restore habitat, care for Kumeyaay Lake Campground and beautify public spaces. No experience is needed.

Trail Tykes Readers

Help introduce children ages 2–5 to nature through stories, crafts, activities and short walks every Sunday and Wednesday at 10AM.

Learn more and find contact information at mtrp.org/volunteer.