The mission of the San Diego River Conservancy is to acquire and manage public lands within the San Diego River area, and to provide recreational opportunities, open space, wildlife habitat, species protection, wetland protection and restoration, and protection and maintenance of the quality of the San Diego River. The Conservancy also provides an enhanced recreational and educational experience on public lands for the public's benefit in a manner that protects the land, natural resources, and the economic resources of the area.

Since department programs drive the need for infrastructure investment, each department has a related capital outlay program to support this need. For the specifics on the San Diego River Conservancy's Capital Outlay Program, see "Infrastructure Overview."