Monthly Program Synopsis: The Coyote Valley Wildlife Corridor

April 23, 2019, MH Library

Suman Ganapathy

On April 23, 2019, we were fortunate to have Gail Basson, the project manager for the Coyote Valley Wildlife Linkage project, to give us a talk about the Coyote Creek wildlife corridor and why it is important, and not just for the wildlife. She also gave us vital tips about what we can do to protect wildlife and ecological connectivity.

Open Space Authority (OSA): The mission of the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority is to conserve natural environment and support agriculture, and connect people to nature by protecting open spaces, natural areas and working farms and ranches for future generations. So far, OSA has protected 25,000 acres of land in Santa Clara County. It also leads conservation initiatives, e.g. protecting Coyote valley, and provides year-round L-R: Gail Basson (OSA), AAUW-MH VP public access to 3 county preserves. There is a robust docent program Programs Yvonne Randolph, AAUW-MH Co- to provide environmental education, including an urban Open Space Presidents Peggy Martin & Maggie Leininger grant program where cities and schools are awarded grants for green projects in urban areas.

Coyote Valley - what makes it so special? Coyote Valley provides a lot of different values, however the focus of the first portion of this talk focused on the wildlife and habitats in and around the valley. Encompassing 7000 acres between San Jose and Morgan Hill, it is important because it connects the Santa Cruz mountains with the Diablo Range. Animals need to share genetic information with animals from other mountain ranges. Most of Santa Clara Valley is urban and animals would not be able to cross over from the Santa Cruz to the Diablo range except for Coyote Valley. There is another area by Gilroy too where animals can cross. If these wildlife linkages are cut off the entire mountain range will become an island by itself.

The View From Coyote Valley, the link between the Santa Cruz & Diablo ranges.

Many rare and threatened species live here. e.g. Swainson’s hawk, California tiger salamander, Checkerspot butterfly, Western Burrowing Owls, pond turtles etc. 242 rare and endangered species of birds. Mammals include the mountain lion, black-tailed deer, badger, grey fox, coyote, bobcat, skunk etc. and especially ground squirrels whose burrows provide the habitat for California tiger salamanders and burrowing owls who live underground in the ground squirrels’ burrows. [Click here for a complete checklist of animals and birds.] Importance of Wildlife Corridors: There’s a whole science and discipline around wildlife corridors. People are realizing that if you want to preserve ecological processes you have to preserve the connections between them.

Definition - A Wildlife Corridor is a habitat that connects fragmented patches of habitat. E.g. a riparian corridor used for aquatic species such as fish is also used for mammals since they use waterways to travel. These corridors are needed for animals to move to become adults (young animals need to leave their parents and find their own territory), find mates, disperse, migrate and hunt, especially important during the age of climate change. Roads act as barriers.

Coyote Valley connects 1 million acres of open space and $3.5 billion investment has been made in land purchases for conservation. There have been different Linkage studies in Coyote Valley.

Wildlife Corridor Studies: De Anza College has a wildlife corridor technician program – they were the first to start documenting wildlife movement in Coyote Valley. They found a lot of animals especially under culverts and passes.

That led to the 2014-2015 Coyote Valley Linkage Assessment Study. Set-up: Cameras were set up in Fisher Creek and Coyote Creek, & surveys were made of roadkill along roads in Coyote Valley. The work was funded by California Dept of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) with OSA and Pathways for Wildlife (which does wildlife research, tracking and analysis). Coyotes, bobcats, deer and gray fox were tracked. A map showed where the cameras were set up in culverts and bridges, and also pictures and videos taken by the static cameras of bobcat dens with cubs and coyote puppies. Bobcat radio collar studies were Map showing location of Cameras led by Wilmer’s Lab, UC Santa Cruz (2017-2019 Coyote Valley Bobcat for the Linkage assessment study Connectivity Study). Camouflaged traps were set up to attract the bobcats (pillows, feathers disco balls etc.). Then collars were fitted with accelerometers that monitored their movements every 5 minutes for 2 seasons. The collars were tracked weekly and data downloaded for study. These collars are very light, have no ill-effects and are designed to fall off after 5 months. ($6000 each, with data). They got 26 bobcats; the goal was 20.

Observations: It was noticed that Fisher and Coyote Creeks were being used extensively, and bobcats were avoiding Monterey Road, which acted as a barrier. Vegetation cover was relied upon by them for cover during the day. They let down their guard only at night. They moved from tree to tree, and showed the importance of tree cover. A lot of maps showing movements and roadkill data were also shared. 63% are along Monterey Road and is a big problem for wildlife movement. Monterrey Road has only one undercrossing, one culvert in the confluence of Fisher & Coyote Creek where animals can go under the road. It gets waterlogged and isn’t ideal. There’s a median barrier on top of the road and difficult to cross.

One map showed a bobcat repeatedly trying to cross Monterey Road and being unable to do so, and was in a vulnerable position. Many other maps of the collared bobcats were shared too. Crossings at safe places were used repeatedly by the animals.

Recommendations: 1.Building overpasses – California is behind because it is expensive. 2. Building underpasses – good for water and wildlife All the areas where these can be built have been identified.

Coyote Valley - a Multi-Benefit landscape The movements of BO3F, a female bobcat raising The Coyote Valley is important for many different reasons, not kittens, who crosses Bailey Rd at a high frequency. just the wildlife corridoor 1. Climate resilience: protection of biodiversity is important in the face of climate change 2. Public health: provides clean air, areas for exercise, and is important for healthy human beings too. 3. Clean water supply: protection of the valley results in significant water, carbon, and flood protection benefits. 4. Agriculture: a tradition and a necessity in Santa Clara County. 5. Recreation: biking, hiking, horse-back riding, golf, sporting clays etc. There are many stakeholders interested in their own piece, so it is hoped that Coyote Valley will be preserved for posterity.

Coyote Valley Landscape Linkage Study “The Coyote Valley Landscape Linkage report articulates a vision to protect and restore essential areas within the valley that are vital to ensure ecological connectivity, health and resilience to a changing climate. Based on the latest science and field-based observations of how wildlife currently travels through the valley.”

For a complete look click here:

What can we do to protect wildlife & ecological connectivity? 1. Use wild-life friendly fencing that allows wildlife to pass through, but your cattle can still be fenced in. 2. Limiting or reducing rodenticide use. The animals eat the squirrels etc. that have eaten the rodenticide and get secondary exposure to the poisons which lowers the immune system, so naturally occurring mite takes over and they get covered with mange, and can even kill them. 3. Grow native gardens, put in water features to attract wildlife and pollinators. Wildlife cameras are cheap, and you can observe them. 4. Keep pets inside especially at night and prevent bird window strikes. 5. Dim light s at night and use timers and motion sensors at night. Artificial lights disrupt natural cycles for animals. 6. Secure livestock to reduce conflicts with wildlife. 7. Stash food, trash and pet food outdoors securely. 8. Slow down while driving through wildlife areas. There are wildlife crossing signs everywhere. 9. Reduce wildfire risks by planting drought tolerant plants and reducing fuel on property.

Next Steps for the OSA: • Acquiring property from willing landowners to conserve more land. • Implementing the restoration vision. • Continue research – the next project is on amphibians and reptiles (where to create new pond, new meadows for them etc.)

Coyote Valley is home to a number of rare and The Coyote Valley Linkage between threatened species of animals and birds. San Jose and Morgan Hill