ACR Bulletin Fall 2012
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2010 Recipients of 5 Star Grant Program (PDF)
2010 Five Star Recipients Alabama Project Title: Tapawingo Springs Wetlands Restoration (AL) Organization: Freshwater Land Trust Award Amount: $14,980 Project Location: The project is located at the foot of Sand mountain along Tapawingo Road in northeastern Jefferson County, Alabama. Project Description: Conduct riparian wetland habitat restoration of abandoned residential property concentrating on re-establishing wetland hydrology and native species and eradication of invasive species. Project Title: Village Creek Trail and Restoration (AL) Organization: Freshwater Land Trust Award Amount: $20,620 Project Location: Birmingham and Jefferson Counties Project Description: Construct and maintain a trail system along the Village Creek head waters. Project will include invasive plant removal, wetland enhancement, and bioswale construction. California Project Title: Audubon Bobcat Ranch Oak Woodland Corridor (CA) - III Organization: National Audubon Society Award Amount: $40,000 Project Location: Putah Creek Watershed, Yolo County Project Description: Create an ecological connection between the Dry Creek tributaries and the main channel of Putah Creek in Yolo County. Project will create a wild-way managed by landowners. Project Title: Cooley Landing Restoration and Education (CA) Organization: City of East Palo Alto Award Amount: $40,000 Project Location: East Palo Alto and Menlo Park, San Mateo County Project Description: Restore nine acres of upland habitat for endangered clapper rail and salt marsh harvest mouse. Project will create a new passive recreation park and environmental and history education center. Project Title: Cresta Riparian Habitat Enhancement and Education (CA) Organization: Sotoyome Resource Conservation District Award Amount: $20,000 Project Location: Project is located along Porter Creek in the Mayacamas Mountains of northeastern Sonoma County. -
Manual Removal of Cape Ivy at Audubon Canyon Ranch's Bolinas
Manual Removal of Cape Ivy at Audubon Canyon Ranch’s Bolinas Lagoon Preserve Len Blumin ([email protected]) Daniel Gluesenkamp ([email protected]) Introduction Cape ivy (Delairea odorata), an invasive vine from South Africa, has invaded many riparian areas of coastal California, and threatens thousands of acres of valuable habitat. This poster presents our 6 year experience in removing Cape ivy (CI) along a coastal creek and floodplain, using volunteer labor and a "modified scorched earth" approach. The Project – Audubon Canyon Ranch manages a system of nature preserves. Cape ivy appeared in ACR's Bolinas Lagoon Preserve before 1960 and by 1994 had invaded 6 acres in the flood plain of Volunteer Canyon (VC). In 1994 CI was identified as the highest priority invasive plant on the preserve. Encouraged by a successful CI removal pilot project in 1995, we set out to completely remove CI from Volunteer Canyon. The Site – The creek in Volunteer Canyon drops steeply through a mixed evergreen forest, flattens out as it enters the flood plain, then empties into Bolinas Lagoon. The canyon was logged from 1850 to 1875, supported ranching, farming and residential uses until the 1960s, and since 1968 has been used as an environmental education center and for ACR staff housing. While the preserve supports rich biodiversity and the canyon's slopes have few exotic plants other than non-native grasses, the flood plain is invaded by Cape ivy, Vinca major, and other non-indigenous plants listed in Table 1. Cape Ivy growth – By the mid 1970's the core Cape ivy population had covered 6.5 acres, as shown on the map. -
HISTORICAL CHANGES in CHANNEL ALIGNMENT Along Lower Laguna De Santa Rosa and Mark West Creek
HISTORICAL CHANGES IN CHANNEL ALIGNMENT along Lower Laguna de Santa Rosa and Mark West Creek PREPARED FOR SONOMA COUNTY WATER AGENCY JUNE 2014 Prepared by: Sean Baumgarten1 Erin Beller1 Robin Grossinger1 Chuck Striplen1 Contributors: Hattie Brown2 Scott Dusterhoff1 Micha Salomon1 Design: Ruth Askevold1 1 San Francisco Estuary Institute 2 Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation San Francisco Estuary Institute Publication #715 Suggested Citation: Baumgarten S, EE Beller, RM Grossinger, CS Striplen, H Brown, S Dusterhoff, M Salomon, RA Askevold. 2014. Historical Changes in Channel Alignment along Lower Laguna de Santa Rosa and Mark West Creek. SFEI Publication #715, San Francisco Estuary Institute, Richmond, CA. Report and GIS layers are available on SFEI’s website, at http://www.sfei.org/ MarkWestHE Permissions rights for images used in this publication have been specifically acquired for one-time use in this publication only. Further use or reproduction is prohibited without express written permission from the responsible source institution. For permissions and reproductions inquiries, please contact the responsible source institution directly. CONTENTS 1. Introduction .....................................................................................1 a. Environmental Setting..........................................................................2 b. Study Area ................................................................................................2 2. Methods ............................................................................................4 -
Great Blue Herons Interrupt Nest-Guarding to Drink
SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 501 attacking a Bald Eagle near a large stick nest only 10 We are grateful to J. B. Foster, S. G. Scaly, J. J. m from the ground. However, the nest contained a Hickey, and T. J. Cade for criticism of this manuscript large, young eagle and was the only such nest on the and for supporting funds from the Ecological Reserves island. Soon the adult male peregrine joined its mate Unit, Department of Environment, Victoria, British and became especially agitated and noisy near an old Columbia. spruce tree which had a large natural crack high up its trunk. A few pale feathers surrounded the hole LITERATURE CITED entrance, and several carcasses of recently eaten Rhinoceros Auklets were found in the vicinity, indi- BEEBE, F. L. 1960. The marine peregrines of the cating probable use by peregrines. northwest Pacific Coast. Condor 62: 145-189. Clearly, a small, tree-nesting population of Pere- BEEBE, F. L. 1974. Field studies of the Falconi- grine Falcons exists on islands off the northern coast formes (vultures, hawks, falcons and eagles) of of British Columbia, but we do not know whether this British Columbia. Occas. Pan. B.C. Prov. Mus. is a recent phenomenon. Campbell visited this area 17: 1-163. briefly in the early summer of 1970, and although CA~ZPBELL, R. W., AND D. STIRLING. 1971. A photo- adult peregrines were seen, no evidence of nesting duolicate file for British Columbia vertebrate was found. He may have overlooked tree nests, how- recbrds. Syesis 4~217-222. ever, because adult peregrines call only when intrud- DEMENTEV,’ G. -
ACR's Olema Marsh and Restoration of The
AUDUBON CANYON RANCH Number 44 BULLETIN Spring 2009 ACR’s Olema Marsh and Restoration of the Giacomini Wetlands RESTORING THE NATURAL HYDROLOGY OF TOMALES BAY by John Kelly single, lightning fast strike and splash mudflats, ponds, creeks, and emergent vegetation. of an egret’s bill can cause a wealth of Wetland life thrived, structured and fueled by Giacomini potential prey to dart and hide, making complicated patterns of tidal inundation and A Wetlands them temporarily unavailable to other predators. irregular pulses of runoff from a watershed that restoration Herons and egrets often overcome this fact by covers much of Marin County. The extravagant area, looking hunting in groups: prey that are busy fleeing flow of energy and nutrients through the system northwest, with from one forager are more easily caught by sustained a magnificent richness of estuarine newly introduced another. Nonetheless, prey concentrations fade life—but one that we can currently only imagine. tidewater quickly, forcing egrets to search for new feeding flooding into the opportunities in the surrounding landscape. Loss of a wetland treasure project area. When an area of intensive human use is In the 1800s, settlers came to western Marin ACR’s Olema returned to nature, processes like this drive the County, where they built ranches and dairy farms Marsh and assembly and arrangement of plants and animals. on the productive coastal prairies and logged the Levee Road are As new life appears, it coalesces into patches Douglas-fir and redwood forests along Inverness visible in the that swell, subside, shift, and intermingle. Intri- Ridge and in other parts of the Tomales Bay water- foreground. -
Beckstoffer Buys Historic Red Hills Vineyard
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BECKSTOFFER BUYS HISTORIC RED HILLS VINEYARD Beckstoffer Vineyards Purchases the Beringer Clear Mountain Vineyard in the Red Hills of Lake County from Treasury Wine Estates; Renames it Amber Mountain Vineyard January 15, 2019 (Kelseyville, Calif.—January 15, 2019) – Andy Beckstoffer, perhaps the most recognized California grower of wine grapes, announced today that Beckstoffer Vineyards has purchased the 230-acre Clear Mountain Vineyard from Treasury Wine Estates. Beckstoffer will be renaming the vineyard Amber Mountain Vineyard, in recognition of the red volcanic soils of the Red Hills and as a nod to the company’s nearby Red Hills vineyards, Amber Knolls and Crimson Ridge. The vineyard formerly known as Clear Mountain was planted in the 1980’s by Napa’s Beringer Winery and has long been a hallmark for Cabernet Sauvignon production in the Red Hills. Its grape and wine quality influenced Beckstoffer’s decision to begin his Red Hills involvement in 1997, which subsequently began the modern era of premium vineyard plantings in Lake County. Since then, Beckstoffer has steadfastly been committed to proving that the Red Hills can produce ultra-premium Cabernet rivaling the best that California has to offer. After first purchasing land in the Red Hills in 1997, in 2004, Andy Beckstoffer and a group of growers established the Red Hills AVA in 2004. In 2016 Beckstoffer Vineyards announced a new Red Hills wine quality research program with outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon winemakers, the results of which shall be announced later in 2019. Additionally, in 2018, Beckstoffer Vineyards further staked its claim in the area, opening their Red Hills Station office. -
4.11 Hydrology General Plan DEIR
4.11 HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY This section discusses and analyzes the surface hydrology, groundwater, and water quality characteristics of the County and the proposed project. This analysis addresses impacts to hydrology and water quality and identifies mitigation measures to lessen those impacts. See Section 4.12 (Public Services and Utilities) for a more detailed discussion regarding water supplies and demand. Specifically, this section provides the following information regarding hydrology and water quality that are evaluated in this DEIR: • Identification of current hydrologic baseline of the County associated with surface water and groundwater conditions that includes identification of key watersheds and associated water features, precipitation, flood conditions, groundwater basins and associated conditions of the basins and water quality (see Section 4.11.1 below and Appendix H). • A description of the current federal, state, regional and County policies, regulations and standards that are associated with the hydrologic conditions of the County (see Section 4.11.2 below). • Identification of significant hydrologic impacts associated with the proposed General Plan Update (see Section 4.11.3 below). The impact analysis makes use of hydrologic modeling to identify the type and degree of potential impacts based on a range of potential vineyard development conditions in the future (see Appendix H) as well as consideration of current Napa County Conservation Regulations (County Code Chapter 18.108) and Best Management Practices (BMPs) that are typically applied to mitigate impacts (see Appendix I). 4.11.1 EXISTING SETTING SURFACE WATER Napa County is located within the Coast Range physiographic province northeast of San Francisco. The County is bordered to the east by California’s Central Valley and to the west by the Coast Ranges. -
Management Framework for Protection of the Heronry at Martin Griffin Preserve
Management framework for protection of the heronry at Martin Griffin Preserve: An assessment and response to the 2013 decline in Great Egret nesting in Picher Canyon Sarah A. Millus, John P. Kelly and T. Emiko Condeso Cypress Grove Research Center Audubon Canyon Ranch P.O. Box 808, Marshall, CA 94940 E-mail: [email protected] ACR Technical Report 67-1-3 © September 2013, Audubon Canyon Ranch Cypress Grove Research Center P. O. Box 808, Marshall, CA 94940 Executive Summary This is the final, comprehensive report regarding the 2013 nesting season at the Picher Canyon heronry at Martin Griffin Preserve, Stinson Beach, CA. As background information, the report contains relevant information about Great Egret nesting biology and a summary of the history of Great Egret nesting activity in Picher Canyon. This report also includes the complete evaluation of factors that may have contributed to the 2013 nesting failure, which is identical to a previous report (Millus et al. 2013, An assessment of the 2013 decline in Great Egret nesting in Picher Canyon, ACR Technical Report 67-1-2). Based on this information, we present a general management framework that incorporates the “precautionary principlea” to maximize the potential for colony recovery in the 2014 nesting season. The management framework includes the following key actions: Institute regular discussions involving science staff and Martin Griffin Preserve staff regarding changes in management at Picher Canyon Intensify monitoring of the heronry, including the installation of an infrared video camera Delay the public season until a minimum level of nesting success is observed Close the Henderson Overlook until a minimum level nesting success is observed Modify preserve maintenance activities in the canyon, January-August Eliminate or reduce traffic in the canyon January-August Close the canyon to major events January-August These actions will minimize disturbance and promote conditions that returning herons or egrets may require to initiate new nests next season. -
Integrated Surface and Groundwater Modeling and Flow Availability
Integrated Surface and Groundwater Modeling and Flow Availability Analysis for Restoration Prioritization Planning, Upper Mark West Creek Watershed, Sonoma County, CA Wildlife Conservation Board Grant Agreement No. WC-1996AP Project ID: 2020018 December 2020 Prepared for: Sonoma Resource Conservation District 1221 Farmers Lane, Suite F, Santa Rosa, CA 95405 and State of California, Wildlife Conservation Board 1700 9th Street, 4th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95811 Prepared by: O’Connor Environmental, Inc. PO Box 794, Healdsburg, CA 95448 Under the direction of: Coast Range Watershed Institute 451 Hudson Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448 www.coastrangewater.org Jeremy Kobor, MS, PG #9501 Senior Hydrologist Matthew O’Connor, PhD, CEG #2449 President William Creed, BS Hydrologist Dedication In recognition of those many residents of the Mark West Creek watershed that have suffered losses in the past few years to the Tubbs Fire and the Glass Fire, we dedicate this report in their honor. Many of the citizen contributors to this effort have been working for many years to advance the consciousness of the community with respect to wildfire hazards, fuel management and fire safe communities, and it is an unfortunate truth that there remains much to be done. We dedicate this report in the spirit of community service and the example that has been set by these citizens, families, friends, and communities. Acknowledgements Many individuals and organizations contributed to the successful completion of this project including the various members of the project team from the Sonoma Resource Conservation District, Coast Range Watershed Institute, O’Connor Environmental Inc., Friends of Mark West Watershed, the Pepperwood Foundation, and Sonoma County Regional Parks. -
ACR Bulletin Spring 2013
AUDUBON CANYON RANCH Number 52 BULLETIN Spring 2013 INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE NEXT 50 YEarS FALL FOR OUR NEW PRESERVES CREatiVE LEGacY GiftS WHat INSpirES RANCH GUIDES ArtSY LEttERS frOM KIDS PHOTOS, EVENTS AND MORE 50 Years and Still Gaining Ground Page 2 Audubon Canyon Ranch 50 Years and Still Gaining Ground www.egret.org Bold Plans for ACR’s Success ENVISIONING THE NEXT 50 YEarS by J. Scott Feierabend and Bryant Hichwa Imagine entering the Martin Griffin countless volunteers made Audubon • More opportunities for public Preserve and seeing the iconic West Canyon Ranch a gateway to the natural visitation and enhanced Marin farmhouse sporting a fresh coat world, hundreds of thousands of feet educational experiences of paint, with its doors open wide to have walked the trails on our Marin • Improved interpretative displays welcome visitors to the treasures of the and Sonoma County preserves. and interactive educational preserve. Once inside the farmhouse, During these 50 years, nature and materials you learn about Audubon Canyon seasonal rhythms have weathered and • Reduced carbon emissions Ranch’s rich legacy and conservation worn our buildings and their facilities. and increased energy and leadership, and linger in a new, well- This fall, as our anniversary gift to water conservation stocked and expanded bookstore. the community, ACR will launch an Creating a deeper experience From there, you stroll over to the organization-wide refurbishment Special projects are planned Display Hall to view newly and improvement initiative of for the Martin Griffin Preserve, refreshed exhibits and a unprecedented scope—called the Bouverie Preserve and Cypress “smart” classroom, serving over 50/Fifty Initiative—which Grove Research Center. -
ACR Bulletin Spring 2010
AUDUBON CANYON RANCH Number 46 BULLETIN Spring 2010 Honoring our Past œ Celebrating the Future Gathering to Restore Oak Woodlands by Jeanne Wirka and Jennifer Potts On a recent Friday morning, 22 students from Sonoma Valley High School were playing “PVC golf” in the courtyard of David Bouverie’s house at Audubon Canyon Ranch’s Bouverie Preserve. Instead of clubs and greens, this golf game involves racing a golf ball across the courtyard through many short lengths of PVC pipe without touching the ball, dropping it, or going backward. It’s harder than it sounds, a fact not lost on the ACR staff members who, having been drafted to one of the two teams, are running in circles waving pieces of pipe. After six or seven tries, one of the teams manages to convey their golf ball to the finish line amid an explosion of hoots and high fives. Laughing and energized, the students reconvene and Students secure grow tubes with stakes to ensure the seedlings are protected when get down to the business that brought they emerge. them to the Bouverie Preserve in the (SSCRCD), grew out of ACR’s Habitat on Highway 12 and was therefore first place: laying over a mile of drip Protection 15-Year Action Plan, which willing to fund restoration at the line and installing emitters for the 400 identified the abandoned vineyards Bouverie Preserve. Because it could oak trees they helped to plant back in at the Bouverie Preserve as a high not contract directly with ACR due December as part of ACR’s new habitat priority for ecological restoration. -
Breeding Biology of Great Blue Herons and Common Egrets in Central California
BREEDING BIOLOGY OF GREAT BLUE HERONS AND COMMON EGRETS IN CENTRAL CALIFORNIA HELEN M. PRATT 337 Jean Street Mill Valley, California 94941 Information available in the ornithological structed on the south-facing slope of the literature about breeding biology of the Great canyon, observers can look over the tops of Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) and the Com the nesting trees and study the breeding birds. mon Egret (Casmerociius albus) is fragmen Nests are about 100-200 yards from the over tary at best. Breeding behavior preceding and look, and the birds appear to be undisturbed during pair formation of the Great Blue by the presence of observers. All observations Heron has been described by Bent (1926), were taken from this overlook. Cottrille and Cottrille ( 1958), and Meyer None of the other Ardeidae have been ob riecks ( 1960) . Miller ( 1943 ) comments on served nesting at Audubon Canyon Ranch to some aspects of breeding biology of the Great date, although a few Snowy Egrets ( Leu Blue Heron in the Philadelphia region but cophoyx thula) perched briefly in the heronry his data suffer from lack of quantification. In in both years of the study. Black-crowned fact, the recurrent themes in the most com Night Herons (Nycticorax nycticorax) and plete summary to date of information about Snowy Egrets commonly feed in the lagoon, this species (Palmer 1962) are "quantitative and Green Herons (Butorides virescens) are data lacking," and "more information needed." . occasionally seen there also. Studies of the Common Egret are even more limited than those of the Great Blue METHOD Heron. Little has been added to knowledge Each nest, when established, was plotted and num of its reproduction since Bent (1926) wrote bered on a panorama of the heronry.