Meet Thomas Oberbauer of Conservation Planner in Point Loma

Today we’d like to introduce you to Thomas Oberbauer.

Thomas, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Growing up in east San Diego County, I was exposed to the natural resources in this area at an early age, being interested in the variety of birds when I was younger and native plants after high school. San Diego County has a greater diversity of species of biological resources than any other County in the United States. This is the result of our coastal, foothill, mountain and desert topography and the myriad of microhabitats that exist here.

While working on my Master’s Degree in biology at San Diego State, I was hired by the County of San Diego Planning Department to work on conservation issues. I was involved first with mapping vegetation and then identifying areas which were important for biological resources. Beginning in the mid-1990’s I worked on the Multiple Species Conservation Plan for the County. This plan was intended to identify high-value habitat areas that could be avoided and conserved while directing proposed development to the lower value habitat areas.

The plan generated mitigation from the development that was applied to the conservation areas and it also attracted federal and state funds toward the acquisition of lands that are important for rare and endangered species. Tens of thousands of acres of land have been conserved by the County and its Wildlife Agency partners through this program.

After working for the County for 35 years, I retired but continue working on conservation through the AECOM consulting company. Through AECOM my work with the County continues through assisting the County in the preparation of a Multiple Species Conservation Plan for the North County portion of the Unincorporated Area.

All the while that I worked for the County and continuing now, I have explored, studied, written articles and conducted field trips on rare and endangered species in San Diego County. I have also continued to work on vegetation classification systems for San Diego County but also engaged in a passion for studying Baja California and the adjacent Pacific Coast Islands with their spectacular natural resources.

In addition, I have had the privilege to serve on the Board of the San Diego Natural History Museum for four years. and been president of the San Diego Chapter of the California Native Plant Society.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
With the continued population growth in San Diego County, it is difficult to balance conservation while providing housing in the region. It is necessary to create an awareness about the unique natural values in this region so that conservation can continue to be a major consideration for any regional plans and land use strategy in San Diego County. The County Multiple Species Conservation Program that was originally approved in 1998 serves as a model for conservation that incorporates resource needs as well as directing development into appropriate locations.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
My value and interests are in education of interested parties about the plants and wildlife that are indigenous to this region through writing articles and participating in conservation plans. I have tremendous appreciation for all of the aspects of the natural environment in which species of plants and animals have evolved and adapted to the specific conditions in an area so that there are wildflowers, forests, chaparral, coastal sage scrub, deserts and wildlife and endangered species found nowhere else.

I have also embarked on a program to create mini-documentaries about the unusual resources beginning with the islands of Baja California. The first set of documentaries are located on Youtube under PLnaturalresources. These include descriptions of the islands and many of their endemic plants and animals.

What were you like growing up?
My family consisted of six children. My mother initially sparked our interest in studying the natural world. I have a brother who is close to my age and we spent a great deal of time exploring and examining the environment where my parents and grandmother owned land east of El Cajon.

While I have always had a reserved personality, expressing the unique habitats and species through articles in newsletters and natural history directed magazines has been an outlet for me. Presenting information in person through leading field trips and giving lectures is an extremely enjoyable activity.

My wife Irene has provided an avenue for me to continue with these activities even as our two sons were young and grew to adulthood. I also participate with her in some of her major fundraising activities for the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Make A Wish.

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