About the Foundation

Why is Volcan Mountain important to preserve?

• Abundant water
• Unique habitat and wildlife with sensitive, rare and endangered species
• Wildlife corridors, connectivity and open space
• Cultural history
• Recreation

Rising over 5,000 feet, the Volcan Mountain range is the dominant scenic feature for a significant portion of San Diego's backcountry and visible from the Pacific coastline 60 miles away.  It is one of the last privately-owned and relatively untouched areas of Southern California and is an extraordinary natural treasure which must be preserved for future generations.

The mission of the Volcan Mountain Foundation (VMF) is to preserve Volcan Mountain in its natural state for all generations.

Who is (and should be) concerned about preserving Volcan Mountain?

All those in San Diego County benefit by preserving the habitat, water and open space resources of Volcan Mountain.  The board members and supporters of the Volcan Mountain Foundation (VMF) include Julian and backcountry residents, as well as, residents from all around San Diego County.  There are many national and regional partner organizations and agencies that work with VMF year after year to preserve Volcan Mountain for future generations.  Our partners include:
• AmeriCorps
• Anza-Borrego Foundation
• Bureau of Land Management
• California Department of Fish & Game
• California State Parks-Anza-Borrego & Cuyamaca Rancho State Parks
• Camp Stevens
• San Diego County Department of Parks & Recreation
• San Diego River Park Foundation
• San Dieguito River Park
• San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy
• The Nature Conservancy
• The Trust for Public Land
• US Forestry Service-Cleveland National Forest

How is Volcan Mountain being preserved?

Working with our conservancy partners, VMF’s vision includes:
• Acquisition of land for preservation from willing sellers
• Outdoor Education & Public Outreach to inform SD County residents and visitors about ecology and Volcan’s importance
• Respectful stewardship of the land by developing and modeling sustainable management practices and methods, including:
o management of non-native species
o reintroduction of long-lost native species
o restoring and reforestation of burned & disturbed habitat
o research and monitoring of post-fire plant and animal reestablishment

Volcan Mountain Foundation (VMF) Goals

-Facilitate land acquisitions in the Volcan Mountain range from willing sellers for preservation
-Create an outdoor classroom/research facility on Volcan Mountain that will give visitors of all ages hands on experience about caring for our natural surroundings and support research and habitat management
-Support the creation of a central backcountry nature/interpretive facility that will promote awareness of recreational opportunities in and around Volcan, further awareness of VMF’s and conservancy partners’ missions-including watershed education, and natural and cultural resource protection

In 1987, 220 pristine acres of wildland habitat were threatened by a residential development on Volcan Mountain—one of the last privately-owned and relatively untouched areas of Southern California. The Volcan Mountain Foundation (VMF) was born in 1988 out of the quiet diplomacy of a group of concerned Julian citizens seeking a solution that would retain the land in its natural state while finding a way to equitably compensate willing sellers of land.

Through its first two decades, VMF developed conservancy partnerships and facilitated the establishment of San Diego County’s Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve and the addition for preservation of over 17,000 acres, bringing conserved land within the 52,000 acre range to approximately 31,000 acres. The foundation continues to work towards preservation of the entire 15-mile long Volcan Mountain range.

From 2009-2011, VMF acquired nearly 400 centrally-located acres on Volcan Mountain for conservation and to create a place to launch environmental education and habitat management programs.  VMF’s Education-Outreach program brings environmental stewardship into the classroom and students to the mountain to learn about the importance of open space habitat protection and connectivity, watershed protection, natural and human history, as well as hands-on restoration and stewardship projects. 

In 2020, VMF acquired 23 acres of unspoiled wildlands on the east side of the Volcan Mountains overlooking the San Felipe Valley.  The property straddles the divide between the San Luis Rey Watershed and the Salton Sea Basin.

In 2022, VMF acquired the 42-acre Copper Spur Ranch, preserving important oak woodland and riparian land at the headwaters of the San Dieguito Watershed.

VMF's Sky Island Interpretive Trail provides discovery opportunities in an ancient oak, pine and cedar grove and gives visitors an inspiring introduction to this natural wonderland, as well as breathtaking views from the peak of the trail where visitors can look through the Sky Island Pipe Scope to look back at coastal and inland community watersheds, and mountain peaks as faraway as Mexico.

The VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center, near the headwaters of Santa Ysabel Creek, is the focal point of VMF's Education-Outreach and Resource Management activities.  When visiting the Nature Center, the emphasis is on getting outside and discovering and exploring the unique natural resources that the Volcan Mountain range provides to the region of San Diego County and its residents and visitors

The Volcan Mountain Foundation is fortunate to have a group of community leaders serve as VMF Ambassadors. 

• Diane Coombs
• Cynthia Hedgecock
• Michael Lang, Ph.D.
• Richard Louv
• Dagmar Midcap
• Cody Petterson
• Pat Straube
• Dave Van Cleve
• Emily Young, Ph.D.
• David Younkman

The Supporters of Volcan Mountain help fund our important work with an annual donation.  By 'voting' with your dollars, you help ensure the preservation of the forests and headwaters of the highest reaches of San Diego County and its abundant water sources and wildlands.

Click here  to enroll now!

Supporters Benefits Include

• Advance notice and a chance for preferential enrollment in special education and trail events, including a special 'Supporters only' exclusive back trails hike to closed areas of the Preserve and Supporter Appreciation Reception.

• Special car window VMF decal so you can share your support! 

• And your best benefit is knowing that you're helping to ensure that the vital watershed sources, wildlands, and wildlife of the Volcan Mountain Range remain protected, pristine, wild and wondrous for all generations!

Supporters Donation

You’re Invited!

The Sustaining Friends of Volcan Mountain is a group of ardent supporters and champions of the mission of the Volcan Mountain Foundation (VMF) that was initiated in 2012.  Members help the VMF Board of Directors shape the vision and goals, and their annual gifts provide consistent support to sustain the operations of the Foundation.

Click here to enroll now!

Volcan Mountain Foundation

The mission of the Volcan Mountain Foundation is to strive with intention to conserve and acquire land and practice respectful stewardship through education, public outreach, and resource management to preserve the Volcan Mountain range in its natural state for future generations.

With over 17,000 acres added for preservation since 1988, VMF has worked to protect the watershed and incredibly biodiverse wildlife and wildlands of the Volcan Mountain range, while increasing nature education, public outreach and advocacy for our natural resources.

Sustaining Friends Annual Events

At the planning gathering for the Sustaining Friends group in the fall of 2012, long-time supporters of the organization came together to share their vision of how a supporting friends group might look….what it might offer…and how supporters might be involved.  There was a consensus that the group should gather twice annually.

• The Spring Exploration Day is an opportunity for Sustaining Friends to discover hidden gems on and around the Volcan Mountain range and learn about the range up close.

• The Fall Visioning Day is an opportunity for Sustaining Friends to share and discuss progress, accomplishments, future projects and goals.

Sustaining Friends Benefits Card
The Benefits Card program is one way we honor Sustaining Friends' ongoing support of VMF.

Present your personalized Sustaining Friends Benefits Card to a growing list of area VMF Business Partners.  Each partner has designed a discount or other offer designed exclusively for Sustaining Friends of Volcan Mountain.  You’ll find a variety of restaurants, merchants, accommodations and services represented on the list found here.

Also look for VMF Business Partner window decals in shops around town!

Sustaining Friends Financial Support

As a Sustaining Friends of Volcan Mountain, you are asked to support VMF with a commitment to:

• make an annual gift to VMF of $600 per person ($1,200 per couple)
• support and advise the VMF Board of Directors and attend Sustaining Friends annual events as you are able
• be a spokesperson and advocate for protecting Volcan Mountain

VMF features a handful of special giving opportunities during the year, like at the Dinner Dance, or for special projects, and occasionally a matching challenge or capital campaign. We welcome, encourage and appreciate you giving generously to any VMF giving opportunity! Sustaining Friends gifts are a distinct income stream for VMF, and your gifts for other giving opportunities are accounted for separately from your annual giving commitment to the Sustaining Friends of Volcan Mountain.

Your donations of any amount can be debited automatically from your bank card account on a monthly or quarterly schedule.  Change your preferences at any time.  Contact the office for more information or enroll in this program during checkout.

You’re Invited!

The Volcan Mountain Foundation Board of Directors hopes that you will accept this invitation to support VMF by joining the Sustaining Friends of Volcan Mountain.

Click here to enroll now!

Or contact:
Eric Jones, President and Executive Director
Volcan Mountain Foundation
Post Office Box 1625
Julian, CA 92036
760-765-2300
Eric@VolcanMt.org
 

Sustaining Friends of Volcan Mountain

Anonymous
Vicki Bergstrom
Larry & Carolyn Boline
Diane Brockington
Marion Brooks
Bruce Family Fund
Adryenn Cantor
Dennis and Rita Cantor
Clifford & Carolyn Colwell
Diane & Stan Coombs
Jay Evarts & Susan Aurand
Joseph J. Fisch Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation
Paula Hackman
George & Paula Hauer
Roger & Cynthia Hedgecock
Larry Hendrickson
Jeff & Kristi Holt
Carolyn Housman
Julian Mercantile - Stacey Fraser
Susan Kaiser
Judy Kemp
Olive Kerr
Chris Khoury & Linda Corey
Nancy and Brian Kramer
Jeff Lincer
Toni & Marco Marquette
Lesley McClelland
Dennis McConnell & Kimberly Kassner
Mom's Pie House-Anita and Teak Nichols & Staff
Kiki Munshi
Jill Murray
Anita Nichols
Michael Perry
Carol Pike
Michael & Meili Pinto
Sue Randerson
Michael & Paula Rantz
Kurt L. Rasmussen
Ida Rigby
David & Kathleen Rubenson
Greg & Kathy Schuett
Teresa Shanahan
Pauline & Bill Storum
Pat & Darrell Straube
Szekely Family Foundation-Sarah Brightwood & Deborah Szekely
Denis Trafecanty and Glenda Kimmerly
Chuck and Tara Wegner
Carol Schloo-Wright & Kenneth R. Wright

VMF truly appreciates every contribution.  Please let us know of any errors or omissions.

Sustaining Friends Benefits Card

The Benefits Card program is one way we recognize the ongoing support provided by Sustaining Friends of Volcan Mountain.

Show your personalized Sustaining Friends Benefits Card to a growing list of area VMF Business Partners.  Each Partner has designed an exclusive discount or other offer.  You’ll find a variety of restaurants, merchants, accommodations and services represented on the list.

Also look for VMF Business Partner window decals in shops around town!

Accommodation Partner Offers

Alter Experiences LLC	1 night free stay with a 2 night minimum. 15592 N Peak Road, Julian, CA 92036 (619) 642-7015 www.alterexperiences.com
Butterfield Bed & Breakfast	20% discount off standard rates. Two night minimum. 2284 Sunset Dr, Julian CA 92036 (800) 379-4262 www.butterfieldbandb.com

Food and Wine Partner Offers

Julian Hard Cider	10% off entire purchase (includes all bar sales, merchandise and bottles). 4470 Julian Rd (Julian Station), Julian CA 92036 (619) 997-4560 www.julianhardcider.biz
Julian Wine & Chocolate	15% off wine tasting (6 tastings included). 4470 Julian Rd. (Hwy. 78), Julian CA 92036 (760) 885-8364 www.julianwineandchocolate.com
Nickel Beer Company	10% off merchandise and food. 1485 Hollow Glen Road (just a 1/2 mile east of town), Julian CA 92036 (760) 765-BEER (2337) www.nickelbeerco.com
Orfila Winery - Julian	15% off purchases (including tastings). 2000 Main St, Julian CA 92036 (760) 765-0102 www.orfila.com
Soups & Such Café	Cup of soup with entree purchases. 2000 Main St, Julian CA 92036 (760) 765-4761
Volcan Mountain Winery	10% discount off wine bottle and case purchases.  1255 Julian Orchards Dr, Julian CA 92036 (760) 765-3267 www.volcanmountainwinery.com

Service Partner Offers

Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures	$2 off per person to any open public events. 4425 Highway 78, Santa Ysabel, CA 92070 (951) 847-1904 www.fortcross.com
Julian CrossFit	$35 for 6 foundation classes, 5% off unlimited membership. 3250 Old Cuyamaca Rd, Julian CA 92036 (760) 300-0076 www.juliancrossfit.com
Julian Olde Time Photo	25% off your photo session. 2608 B Street, Julian, CA 92036 (760) 315-8491
Mountain Sky Yoga	New students can take their first group class free or get 15% off their first private yoga class. 846 Hacienda Dr, Julian CA 92036 (619) 361-5861 www.mountainskyyoga.com

Shopping Partner Offers

Adventure 16	10% discount off in-store purchases of full stock of camping goods and clothing at all Southern California locations. All locations. www.a16.com
E Barrett and Company	10% discount off purchases. 2111 Main St, Julian CA 92036 (760) 765-0123
Julian Book House	10% discount off purchases. 2230 Main St, Julian CA 92036 (760) 765-1989
Julian Imports/ Julian Trading Company	10% discount off purchases. 2104-2106 Main St, Julian CA 92036 (760) 765-2450 www.julianimports.net
Julian Tea & Cottage Arts	15% discount off merchandise. 2124 Third St., Julian CA 92036 (760) 765-0832 www.juliantea.com
The Birdwatcher	10% of regularly-priced merchandise. 2775 B Street, Julian, CA 92036 (760) 765-1817 www.thebirdwatcher.net
The Mountain Gypsy	20% discount off purchases (non-sale priced items only). 2007 Main St, Julian CA 92036 (760) 765-0643 www.themountaingypsy.com

Update 10/19

Our VMF Business Partners have aided the work of the Volcan Mountain Foundation with generous contributions and support over many years.

Please consider dining, shopping and using their services as a way of thanking them for the much-appreciated support!

Many of our VMF Business Partners provide discounts and other offers exclusively for Sustaining Friends of Volcan Mountain.  See the list of current offers here.

Learn more about becoming a VMF Business Partner here or complete the VMF Business Partner online enrollment form here

VMF Business Partners

Alter Experiences	Alter Experiences, LLC offers glamping in the mountains of east San Diego county. One-night free stay with a two-night minimum 619-642-7015 https://alterexperiences.com/
Apple Lane Orchard	Apple Lane Orchard is a working orchard and cider processing company supplying old fashioned apple cider and related products to San Diego County and surrounding areas. 2641 Apple Lane, Julian CA 92036 (760) 765-2645 www.julianapplelaneorchard.com
E Barrett and Company	Traditional fine fragrances, soaps, lotions and provisions for everyday living. 2111 Main St, Julian CA 92036 (760) 765-0123
The French Gourmet	The French Gourmet has served San Diego with the city's finest full-service catering since 1979. 960 Turquoise St, San Diego CA 92109 (858) 488-1725 www.thefrenchgourmet.com
Jeremy's on The Hill	Fresh, seasonal, organic, healthy, local and outstanding cuisine. 4354 Highway 78, Julian CA 92036 (760) 765-1587 www.jeremysonthehill.com
Julian Book House	Rare and good used books. 2230 Main St, Julian CA 92036 (760) 765-1989
Julian CrossFit	The popular CrossFit workout program has come to Julian! All skill and goal levels are welcome. Coming soon: Outdoors & Kids CrossFit 3250 Old Cuyamaca Rd, Julian CA 92036 (760) 300-0076 www.juliancrossfit.com
Julian Hard Cider	With all 5 Julian flavors on tap for sampling (and more to come), live music and BBQ on the weekends, we invite you to stop in for a visit and “set-a-spell”. 4470 Julian Rd (Julian Station, Julian CA 92036 (619) 997-4560 www.julianhardcider.biz
Julian Imports/ Julian Trading Company	Interesting, unique and affordable jewelry, clothing, home decor and gifts from around the world. 2104-2106 Main St, Julian CA 92036 (760) 765-2450 www.julianimports.net
Julian Lodge	Designed after the Washington Hotel, built in 1885, the Julian Lodge is just steps away from rustic shops and historic points of interest. 4th & C Sts, Julian CA 92036 (760) 765-1420 www.julianlodge.com
Julian Olde Time Photo	Step back in time with a fun photo of yourself in the 1800s. Receive 25% off your photo session. 2116 Main St, Julian (760) 315-8491 https://www.facebook.com/Julianoldetimephotos/
Julian Tea & Cottage Arts	Elegant Afternoon Tea in a charming turn-of-the-century home built in 1898. 2124 Third St., Julian CA 92036 (760) 765-0832 www.juliantea.com
Julian Wine & Chocolate	Unique, honest and delicious wine and chocolate inside the Julian Station. 4470 Julian Rd. (Hwy. 78), Julian CA 92036 (760) 885-8364 www.julianwineandchocolate.com
Milagro Farm Vineyards & Winery	The 110 acres that compose Milagro Farm Vineyards & Winery abound with myriad plants, trees, wild life, and open spaces. 18750 Littlepage Road, Ramona CA 92065 (760) 787-0738 www.milagrofarmwinery.com
Mom's Pie House - Julian	A Julian original since 1984. Stop by for a slice or take a whole pie home while visiting historic Julian California. 2119 Main St, Julian CA 92036 (760)765-2472 www.momspiesjulian.com
Mom's Pie House - Wynola	Same great pie and baked goods. Easy parking. Enjoy outdoor seating with garden and mountain views. 4510 Highway 78, Julian CA 92036 (760)765-2264 option #1 www.momspiesjulian.com
Nickel Beer Company	We currently offer 16 taps of house brewed beer. We serve 5 oz, 9 oz and 16 oz pours of all of the beers along with 32 oz and 64 oz jugs to go. 1485 Hollow Glen Road (just a 1/2 mile east of town), Julian CA 92036 (760) 765-BEER (2337) www.nickelbeerco.com
The Mountain Gypsy	Clothing accessories and jewelry sourced from around the globe and across the USA. 2007 Main St, Julian CA 92036 (760) 765-0643 www.themountaingypsy.com
Orchard Hill Country Inn	Restful and romantic getaway, Orchard Hill Country Inn is a premier boutique hotel in Julian, California. 2502 Washington St, Julian CA 92036 (760) 765-1700 www.orchardhill.com
Orfila Winery - Julian	Orfila Vineyards & Winery is an ultra-premium boutique winery nestled in the picturesque San Pasqual Valley also with a tasting room in Julian. 2000 Main St, Julian CA 92036 (760) 765-0102 www.orfila.com
La Serenissima Vineyards & Winery	At 3500’ elevation in Warner Springs, North San Diego County. We are dedicated to the production of natural, handcrafted premium wines, 100% estate-grown. 35168 Hwy 79, Warner Springs CA 92086 (951) 326-0205 www.vinotiso.com
Shadow Mountain Vineyards	Located on Sunshine Summit in the North Mountain region of San Diego County, Shadow Mountain Vineyards is an ideal wine grape growing location at an elevation of 3,500 feet and blessed with Pacific Ocean breezes and cool dry nights. 34680 Highway 79, Warner Springs CA 92086 (760) 782-0778 www.shadowmountainvineyard.com
Soups & Such Café	Fresh, simple comfort food. Open daily for breakfast and lunch. Also, Flowers by Lani! 2000 Main St, Julian CA 92036 (760) 765-4761
Storum Ranch Cider & Wine	Receive 10% off of tastings and purchase at this pretty winery. Open Friday - Sunday 1878 Wynola Road http://storumranch.com/
Volcan Mountain Winery	Volcan Mountain Winery is nestled at the base of the picturesque Volcan Mountain. 1255 Julian Orchards Dr, Julian CA 92036 (760) 765-3267 www.volcanmountainwinery.com

Updated 10-16

"In recognition of their exemplary commitment to protecting and preserving, for all time, the extraordinary natural treasure that is the Volcan Mountain range"

Award Recipients

2026 Jeff Holt

2025 Chris Khoury

2024 Jonathan Appelbaum

2023 Pat Straube

2022 Toni L Alsager-Marquette & Mark Marquette

2021 Larry Hendrickson

2020 Greg Schuett

2019 Carol Pike

2018 Peter and Vicki Bergstrom

2017 Joseph and Marjorie Rubenson

2016 The Honorable Dianne Jacob

2015 Cliff and Carolyn Colwell

2014 Dianne Coombs

2013 Keith and Priscilla Webb

2012 Larry and Susan Favrot

2011 James and Anne Hubbell

2010 Dan and Althea Brimm

All non-profit organizations are required to file tax forms annually with the IRS and their state of incorporation.  Volcan Mountain Foundation recognizes that our stakeholders appreciate the opportunity to easily view these forms to help them better understand VMF's operations and financials.  With that transparency in mind, we invite you to view the past few years of VMF's IRS 990 forms.

Volcan Mountain Foundation EIN #33-0329894

Tax Year 2023 View Online

Tax Year 2022 View Online

Tax Year 2021 View Online

Tax Year 2020 View Online