San Diego National Wildlife Refuge

Welcome to San Diego National Wildlife Refuge located in San Diego County near Jamul, California. San Diego National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1996 and has been designated by the American Bird Conservancy as a Globally Important Bird Area.

Refuge History: Long before the arrival of European settlers the Kumeyaay Native American tribe occupied this region for many centuries. Various artifacts including pot shards, pieces of obsidian, and grinding stones have been discovered here. Members of the tribe still live in the region today and many are active community members. Members of the tribe helped to manage these landscapes by building dams to help enhance meadow wetlands in order to assure an abundant water supply for drinking, growing crops, and attracting the wildlife for hunting. The tribe used many native plants for various purposes including medicine and food. One plant known as the Juncus was used in basket-making.

For the lover of the outdoors this refuge boasts walking trails and so much more. Come on out and explore.