Species adaptation study conducted at Lake Hodges area

ESCONDIDO (CNS) – County park officials, conservationists from the San Diego Zoo and volunteers will fan out in the Lake Hodges area near Escondido Friday to collect data on how native species adapt to change.

The area surrounding the city of San Diego-owned reservoir was burned in a wildfire about seven years ago and is in the being impacted by the affects of a severe drought.

The teams plan to canvass the 27-mile shoreline and identify plants and animals, and use remote-controlled drones to conduct aerial surveys, according to zoo officials.

The 24-hour survey period will begin at 2 p.m.