Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee (FWC) Date: January 17, 2018 Time: 3:00 P.M

Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee (FWC) Date: January 17, 2018 Time: 3:00 p.m. Location: County Public Works Department Road Maintenance Division lunch room (squad room) 2475 Waterbird Way, Martinez CA 94553 (Map is attached.) AGENDA

3:00 p.m. Convene meeting.

1) Introductions.

2) Review/Approve minutes from the November 15, 2017 meeting.

3) Public comment. Includes public comment on topics on the agenda and items not listed on the agenda. The FWC shall also accept public comment on agenda items at the time they are discussed.

4) Updates and announcements from staff and FWC members. Includes discussion of implementation of actions authorized previously, correspondence received, and upcoming meetings of interest to the FWC.

5) Review the letter of appreciation from The Ruth Bancroft Garden for their 2017 Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund grant award for their “Waterwise Wednesdays @ The Ruth Bancroft Garden” project.

6) Review and accept the final report from Regional Parks Foundation for their “East Bay Regional Park District – Education, Outreach, and Resource Protection Using Horse Mounted Patrol Officers” project.

7) Consider the 10 Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund applications submitted by January 8, 2018. Consider inviting one or more organizations to the following meeting if the Committee has further questions on their grant proposals.

8) Determine the agenda for the next meeting. The next regular meeting date is February 21, 2018. Possible agenda items for upcoming meetings include: • Review Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund grant applications • Chelsea Wetlands Project update • Review and update FWC web page • Field trip to Moorhen Marsh

Adjourn

The Committee Chair may alter the order of agenda items at the meeting. Please contact Maureen Parkes at 925-674-7831 / [email protected] (or Abigail Fateman at 925-674-7820 / [email protected]) at the CCC Department of Conservation and Development if you have questions about the Fish & Wildlife Committee or desire materials related to this agenda. The FWC will provide reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities planning to participate in this meeting who contact staff at least 72 hours before the meeting. County Public Works Department Road Maintenance Division lunchroom (squad room)

From Hwy 680: 1. Merge onto CA-4W 2. Continue with the directions from Hwy 4.

From Hwy 4: 1. Take the Pacheco Blvd exit. 2. Merge onto Pacheco Blvd. 3. Turn onto Blum Road (North past Police Department). 4. Turn right onto Imhoff Drive (a cemetery is at the corner of Blum and Imhoff). 5. Turn left onto Waterbird. (There is a Top Soil / Clean Dirt sign at the corner). 6. Turn left onto the Public Works Maintenance building after you pass County’s gas pumping station. Once you are in the parking lot, pass the building on your right. Park your car near the side entrance (not the front entrance). Enter through the side entrance.

Our meeting room is on your left once you enter the building. Please ask the receptionist to direct you if you have trouble finding the meeting room. Agenda Item #2

Draft Meeting Minutes of the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee on November 15, 2017

1) Introductions. Judy Bendix, Susan Heckly, Dawn Manley, Daniel Pellegrini, Heather Rosmarin and Jeff Skinner attended the meeting. Jim Dawson, Roni Gehlke, Kathleen Jennings and Brett Morris provided advance notice that they would not be attending the meeting. Jill Ray (Office of Supervisor District II) attended the meeting. Maureen Parkes (CCC Department of Conservation and Development) attended as staff.

2) Review/Approve minutes from the August 16, 2017 meeting. The meeting minutes were approved as written. Vote: 6-0 AYES: Bendix, Heckly, Manley, Pellegrini, Rosmarin and Skinner NOES: None ABSENT: Dawson, Gehlke, Jennings and Morris ABSTAIN: None

3) Public comment. Includes public comment on topics on the agenda and items not listed on the agenda. The FWC shall also accept public comment on agenda items at the time they are discussed. There were no public comments.

4) Updates and announcements from staff and FWC members. Includes discussion of implementation of actions authorized previously, correspondence received, and upcoming meetings of interest to the FWC. Maureen Parkes informed the FWC of the following: • Kathleen Jennings, Brett Morris, Roni Gehlke, and Jim Dawson provided advance notice that they would not be able to attend the meeting today. • Staff received a tour of the Moorhen Marsh Western Pond Turtle Habitat Enhancement Project. It was decided that it would be preferable to schedule a field trip in Spring 2018 when the project is complete. • Staff received two Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund Grant applications to date. • Rodney Smith has been helping to distribute the Wildlife in Your Backyard brochures and reports that the libraries are happy to make them available. • Staff received several correspondence items which were forwarded to the Committee: o UC Berkeley Urban Bee Lab – The Buzz – September 2017, November 2017 o Supervisor Gioia’s September 1st email regarding a Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, September 16th o Contra Costa County Integrated Pest Management agendas -2 o Several notices from the California Fish and Game Commission o 10-25-17 eBlast from Supervisor Mitchoff regarding the Associated Press article “Trump opposes massive California water project” o Lindsay Wildlife Experience notice regarding their Conservation Icons speaker series Re-introduction of Gray Wolves to California – Challenges, Controversy, and Conflict on November 11th o November 2, 2017 email from Mt. View Sanitary District about the Wolves in California presentation in Walnut Creek on November 10th sponsored by The Wildlife Society, San Francisco Bay Chapter. o November 9, 2017 email regarding Flood Control and Water Conservation District’s 5th Annual Giving the Natives a chance planting event on Saturday, December 2nd. Agenda Item #2

o November 9, 2017 email from Save Mount Diablo regarding their Mary Bowerman Science and Research Program on December 14th at the David Brower Center in Berkeley. • Heather Rosmarin and some of her neighbors relaunched Friends of Pleasant Hill Creeks. They recently cleaned up about 1,500 feet of Grayson Creek. • Judy Bendix attended the Wolves in California presentation in Walnut Creek on November 10th. • Danny Pellegrini prepared a barbeque meal for the volunteers at the annual California Coastal Cleanup Day on September 16th at Martinez shoreline. He reported that there was less litter than in previous years.

5) Update on the activities of the Contra Costa County Integrated Pest Management Advisory Committee (IPM) (Tanya Drlik, Contra Costa Health Services Department) The update on the activities of the Contra Costa County Integrated Pest Management Advisory Committee will be provided at a future meeting.

6) Review and accept the final report from Worth a Dam for their “Working for the ecoSystem” project. The FWC reviewed and accepted the final report. Vote: 6-0 AYES: Bendix, Heckly, Manley, Pellegrini, Rosmarin and Skinner NOES: None ABSENT: Dawson, Gehlke, Jennings and Morris ABSTAIN: None

7) Review and accept the final report from Ruth Bancroft Garden for their “Waterwise Wednesdays @ The Ruth Bancroft Garden” project. The FWC reviewed and accepted the final report. Vote: 6-0 AYES: Bendix, Heckly, Manley, Pellegrini, Rosmarin and Skinner NOES: None ABSENT: Dawson, Gehlke, Jennings and Morris ABSTAIN: None

8) Review and consider approving Save Mount Diablo’s request to utilize their 2017 grant funds for a habitat restoration project on Marsh Creek instead of Curry Creek. The FWC reviewed and approved Save Mount Diablo’s request to use their 2017 grant funds for a habitat restoration project on Marsh Creek. Vote: 6-0 AYES: Bendix, Heckly, Manley, Pellegrini, Rosmarin and Skinner NOES: None ABSENT: Dawson, Gehlke, Jennings and Morris ABSTAIN: None

9) Review and consider approving The Watershed Project’s request for reimbursement of grant funds spent to date on their 2017 “Monitoring Water Quality in Contra Costa County Watersheds” project due to financial hardship. The FWC reviewed and approved The Watershed Project’s request for reimbursement of grant funds spent to date due to financial hardship. Vote: 6-0 AYES: Bendix, Heckly, Manley, Pellegrini, Rosmarin and Skinner NOES: None ABSENT: Dawson, Gehlke, Jennings and Morris ABSTAIN: None Agenda Item #2

10) Discuss outcome of the September 21, 2017 Fall Forum and consider plans and potential speakers for next year. The Committee discussed the successful outcome of the Fall Forum: the interesting presentation, good attendance and great food prepared by Danny Pellegrini and his crew. The Committee discussed possible options for speakers for next year and set September 20, 2018 for the 2018 Fall Forum.

11) Continue the review of and consider updating the Fish and Wildlife Committee web page. The item was continued.

12) Review and consider approving the draft 2017 work plan and annual report to the Board of Supervisors. The Committee reviewed and approved the 2017 work plan and annual report. Vote: 6-0 AYES: Bendix, Heckly, Manley, Pellegrini, Rosmarin and Skinner NOES: None ABSENT: Dawson, Gehlke, Jennings and Morris ABSTAIN: None

13) Determine the agenda for the next meeting. The next regular meeting date is December 20, 2017. Possible agenda items for upcoming meetings include: • Review Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund grant applications • Chelsea Wetlands Project update • Field trip to Moorhen Marsh

Adjourn Agenda Item #5 Agenda Item #6 Final Report – Horse Mounted Patrol Unit Expansion December 15, 2017

Introduction The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) is the largest urban regional park district in the nation. There are 65 parks, 1,250 miles of trails, and 55 miles of shoreline that make up 121,030 acres throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. The parks offer a serene get-away in the backyard of East Bay residents, and are so popular, that in 2016 they had 25-million visits.

The San Francisco Bay area is a highly desirable place to live, not only for people, but for a wide variety of fish and wildlife that rely on the water and surrounding landscapes for food and shelter. The parks serve as sanctuaries for many plant and animal species - ecological treasures in the midst of highly urbanized areas, and in some cases are among the few remaining places that sensitive and endangered wildlife can take refuge in the Bay Area. From a conservation standpoint, the Bay Area is an ecological treasure, with many precious habitats that need protection, restoration, and management to continue to thrive. To protect the public and the District’s resources the Regional Parks Police Department utilizes one of the nation’s oldest policing tools – horse mounted patrol units to cover large and sometimes inaccessible areas. The method, which might seem a little old-fashioned, actually continues to be a valuable resource in urban areas and in the parks.

At the beginning of 2017, the Contra Costa County Fish and Game Commission awarded the Regional Parks Foundation a $10,000 grant for a new horse for the Mounted Patrol Unit. The mounted officers serve a unique role in community outreach efforts and are able to engage the public in ways other units cannot because of the horses. This grant, in combination with the Fremont Bank Foundation and District support, allowed RPPD’s horse mounted patrol unit to expand from 2 full-time riders to 3 full-time riders.

The search for a new horse began once the grant was approved, and after testing several horses, officers finally found a horse named Domino after months of searching. During the preliminary search the team had multiple options in the region, however upon closer inspection none of these horses passed the medical exam or had the right temperament for the job. Domino’s owners primarily used him to pull a cart on their property, is in excellent health, and has an excellent temperament for the job. He needed minimal training and is already on the job. As noted by Officer Walsh “Domino was a great find and a steal!” The team got very lucky on the price of the horse and is excited to welcome him and his rider Officer Gallegos to the team. (L to R) Officers Dowke, Gallegos, and Walsh riding Dusty, Domino, and Guinness

Next Steps – The officers of the Mounted Patrol Unit are very grateful for the support of the Game Commission. The team plans to continue their training, to continue to develop their skills, and is preparing for further expansion. On November 21st EBRPD swore in a new police chief and he quickly announced plans to Agenda Item #6 expand the Mounted Patrol Unit, from 3 full-time officers to 6 full-time officers (double the current staff), so that they have the capacity to be on the trails 7-days a week by 2019.

Attachments – To see the Mounted Patrol working on their training check out this link: https://www.facebook.com/susan.dockter.12/posts/861099397401876

Additional Photos (photos courtesy of Susan Dockter, horse trainer) The officers are involved in all aspects of caring for the horses. When a new officer starts with the Mounted Unit they typically have little to no horse experience. The initial training is 5 hours a day, 4 days a week for 3 weeks, and covers a variety of topics including: riding, groundwork, saddling, grooming, first aid, and horse care.

The pictures below show Domino with his teammate Dusty and Officer Gallegos (his partner) going through basic training. Agenda Item #6 Agenda Item #6

P.O. Box 21074 INVOICE # 2017-12-20A Crestmont Station DATE: December 20, 2017 Oakland, CA 94620 Bill To: Remit Payment To: Maureen Parks Regional Parks Foundation Contra Costa County P O Box 21074 Department of Conservation and Development Crestmont Station 30 Muir Road Oakland, CA 94620 Martinez, CA 94553

QUANTITY DESCRIPTION AMOUNT 1 Police Horse – Domino $4,500.00

Sales contract attached. The soeller did not collect 9.25% sales tax, therefore the Regional Parks Foundation has to remit Use Tax to the CA State Board of Equalization.

Final report was submitted on December 12, 2017 and a copy is attached to this invoice.

SUBTOTAL $4,500.00 SALES OR USE TAX $416.25 SHIPPING & HANDLING TOTAL DUE $4,916.25

Make all checks payable to: Regional Parks Foundation If you have any questions concerning this invoice, please contact Foundation Staff at 510/544-2202 or [email protected].

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2018 Agenda Item #7

Recommended Location of Requested Organization Type of Org Project Title Type of Project Funding Staff Summary of Request FWC Rationale for Recommendation Project Funding Amount Amount

This is a request for grant funds to expand a mountain lion study project (i) scientific from two to three key areas in the research East Bay. RPF requests funds to (m) other purchase 10 additional cameras, train expenditures Regional Parks East Bay Regional citizen scientists, and analyze image * CDFW has A Foundation non-profit Mountain Lion East County $20,000.00 data. The cameras would be located confirmed this (RPF) Project (EBMLP) near Mount Diablo at the Morgan project is eligible Territory and Round Valley Regional to receive funds Preserves and monitor mountain under FGC Section lions and other carnivores, and track 13103 (i) and (m) other wildlife and human activity in the area.

This is a request for grant funds for West County bus transportation to regional parks 60% for low-income schools, teacher's East County guides, student booklets and teacher Kids Healthy 23% Regional Parks (a) public orientation supplies and lunches to B non-profit Outdoors Central County $20,000.00 Foundation education support EBRPD's Kids Healthy Challenge (KHOC) 17% Outdoors Challenge. This program (school data promotes outdoor education and from school play while also supporting the year 16-17) delivery of third-grade curriculum.

Page 1 of 5 1/12/2018 Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2018 Agenda Item #7

Recommended Location of Requested Organization Type of Org Project Title Type of Project Funding Staff Summary of Request FWC Rationale for Recommendation Project Funding Amount Amount

This is a request for grant funds to (i) scientific conduct an inventory of native bees research in urban and agricultural (m) other Brentwood. Funds would be used for Native Bees in expenditures travel, materials and supplies, and a The Regents of Urban * CDFW has bee taxonomist who would be hired C the University of non-profit Brentwood and East County $8,900.00 confirmed this on a contract basis to identify the California Agricultural project is eligible bees. This project expands on Dr. Brentwood to receive funds Frankie's research over the past few under FGC Section years on native bees and their role in 13103 (i) and (m) providing pollination services in the Brentwood area.

This is a request for grant funds to support a learning activity at the 11th Annual Beaver Festival in Martinez. The project will teach children how Build-A-Beaver (a) public D Worth a Dam non-profit Central County $1,030.00 beavers and their ponds help riparian Pond education systems thrive. Funds are requested for wildlife sticker books, festival brochures, printed cards and chalk pastels.

Page 2 of 5 1/12/2018 Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2018 Agenda Item #7

Recommended Location of Requested Organization Type of Org Project Title Type of Project Funding Staff Summary of Request FWC Rationale for Recommendation Project Funding Amount Amount

This is a request for grant funds to replace supplies that were destroyed or damaged by the 2017 rain storms including student raincoats, survival suits, life vests, Delta maps and Delta fish keys for Delta Discovery Voyages, East County 2018 Delta a program that delivers STEM and Marine Science (a) public 42% E non-profit Education $7,739.63 environmental education with hands- Institute education Central County Supplies on science curriculum that is aligned 58% with Next Generation Science Standards aboard a 90-foot research vessel on the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. All funds will benefit Contra Costa County 5th grade science education.

A request by the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife for propagation (g) purchase and funds to be used to purchase a deer maintain and turkey decoy and then be gifted materials, to CDFW. CDFW's Enforcement supplies, or Division will use the decoys California equipment for throughout CCC to target poachers. F Department of government Decoys Countywide $3,496.70 either the The primary goals for the use of the Fish and Wildlife department's decoys are to deter violations, reduce ownership and illegal hunting and related violations, use or the reduce the unlawful harvest of deer department's use and turkey and reduce the threat of injury to both the public and property.

Page 3 of 5 1/12/2018 Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2018 Agenda Item #7

Recommended Location of Requested Organization Type of Org Project Title Type of Project Funding Staff Summary of Request FWC Rationale for Recommendation Project Funding Amount Amount

This is a request for gramt funds to construct and install a temporary livestock exclusion fence around a Contra Costa swale and purchase native plant Morgan Territory Resource (e) habitat seeding to promote vegetation G government Pond 7 Project East County $5,100.00 Conservation improvement establishment to maintain cover and Phase 2 District reduce soil erosion from entering seasonal pond known to provide breeding habitat for California red- legged frog.

A request for grant funds to expand their countywide water quality monitoring program in six Contra Costa County watersheds, which includes stipends for interns, Monitoring (a) public monitoring equipment and supplies, Water Quality in The Watershed education costs for testing of samples and H non-profit Contra Costa Countywide $23,135.00 Project (e) habitat identification of bug samples sent to County improvement scientific labs. The goal of their creek Watersheds monitoring program is to train and engage citizen scientists on improving water quality in CCC in order to provide suitable habitat for fish populations.

Page 4 of 5 1/12/2018 Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2018 Agenda Item #7

Recommended Location of Requested Organization Type of Org Project Title Type of Project Funding Staff Summary of Request FWC Rationale for Recommendation Project Funding Amount Amount

A request for grant funds to design, The Moorhen fabricate, and install 14 interpretive Marsh, panels and purchase four metal bases Mt. View McNabney for three MVSD sites. The goal of this (a) public I Sanitary District government Marsh, and Central County $5,634.00 project is to provide an effective education (MVSD) Wildlife Garden educational tool to reach County Interpretive residents about wetland and garden Panels Project habitats and the wildlife dependent on them.

A request for grant funds for MVSD Floating materials and supplies to fabricate Mt. View Treatment (e) habitat 15, 4' x 10' floating treatment J government Central County $9,120.00 Sanitary District Wetlands Project improvement wetlands (FTW) in Moorhen Marsh to - Pilot Study improve water quality and provide refuge and nesting habitat.

$104,155.33 Total Available Funds as of January 12, 2018 $227,856.21 Remainder

Percentage of Percentage of Subtotals By Requested Recommended Total Amount Total Amount Region Funding Amount Funding Amount Recommended Requested for Approval East $41,850.64 40.18% West $12,000.00 11.52% Central $23,672.99 22.73% Countywide $26,631.70 25.57% TOTAL $104,155.33 100.00%

Page 5 of 5 1/12/2018 !!!For Reference Only!!! 2017 Grant Recommendations !!! For Reference Only!!! Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2017 - Revised April 3, 2017

Organization Type of Org Project Title Type of Project Location of Requested Recommended Staff Summary of the Request FWC Rationale for Recommendation the Project Funding Funding Amount Amount e s t

A Friends of Group of Alhambra Native Plant (e) habitat improvement Central County $980.00 $980.00 A request for funding to add additional native plants and garden enhancements The project meets the requirements of Section 13103 (e) by providing forage, Alhambra Creek volunteers for the Trail for their existing gardens and future new gardens and the printing cost of their cover, and nesting areas for insects, local birds, and small mammals. It also betterment of the Alhambra Native Plant Trail brochure. creates an opportunity to teach student volunteers and visitors about the Alhambra Creek importance of native plants and wildlife. Watershed B California government Spotting Scopes (g) purchase and Countywide $21,019.53 $21,019.53 A request for seven Swarovski spotting scopes to be gifted to CDFW. The The project meets the requirements of Section 13103 (g). The spotting scopes Department of maintain materials, spotting scopes will be used by the Department's enforcement branch will be used by the CDFW's enforcement branch throughout CCC to aid in the Fish and Wildlife supplies, or equipment throughout CCC to aid in the survelliance of violators, locating evidence, and survelliance of violators, locating evidence, and observing behaviors and actions for either the observing behaviors and actions that may result in violations. that may result in violations. department's ownership and use or the department's use C Worth a Dam non-profit Working for the (a) public education Central County $1,000.00 $1,000.00 A request to fund a wildlife educational activity at the 10th Annual Beaver The project meets the requirements of Section 13103 (a) public education and EcoSystem Festival in Martinez. Children will earn badges while learning the importance of fullfills the goals of the Committee by providing funds to educate children with an beavers' role in the ecosystem, highlighting the direct impact beavers have on activity that will teach them about the complex connections between habitat, other wildlife. food chain and species abundance using the beaver's ecoystem services.

t v D Greens at non-profit Point Isabel/Hoffman (e) habitat improvement West County $1,320.00 $1,320.00 A request for funding to expand, fill in, and maintain an existing habitat The project meets the requirements of Section 13103 (e) habitat improvement. Work/Berkeley Marsh Restoration restoration project (including weed removal, native plant re-vegetation, public This is an important area for restoration and helps to achieve a healthier Partners for Parks Project (Richmond) outreach, and trash pickup) along 2,000 feet of the Bay Trail at Point Isabel and environment for the mutitude of shorebirds that use the marsh. (BPFP) marsh from just above the Hoffman Channel to the southern end of Hoffman Marsh (at the intersection of Central Avenue and Rydin Road). e s t

E KIDS for the BAY non-profit Watershed Action (a) public education West County $5,079.00 $5,079.00 A request for funding to deliver the Watershed Action Project to five classes in The project meets the requirements of Section 13103 (a) public education and Program (e) habitat improvement low-income Richmond elementary schools. The Program will teach students (e) habitat improvement. The project provides hands on science classroom e about the scientific principles of fish and wildlife conservation, as well as help to lessons and a field trip where the students will use water quality testing a improve the health of the fish and wildlife habitats in CCC through equipment to assess watershed health and learn scientific skills. Through trash s Environmental Action Projects. clean-ups, habitat restoration and water quality testing, students will improve the e quality of life for fish and wildlife in CCC. e d F Golden Gate non-profit Eco-Richmond/Bird- (a) public education West County $3,803.50 $3,803.50 A request for partial funding to support the materials associated with their Eco- The project meets the requirements of Section 13103 (a) public education and Audubon Society Friendly Schools (e) habitat improvement Richmond/Bird Friendly Schools Program, a year-long program that serves 3rd - (e) habitat improvement fulfilling the educational goals of the Committee by Program 5th grade children and their families in four Title I (federally-assisted) schools providing hands-on lessons of at least three in-class/schoolyard lessons and within the communities adjacent to the North Richmond Shoreline. Each class field trips to North Richmond Shoreline and Wildcat Creek Canyon related to will receive a progression of at least three in-class/schoolyard lessons and field ecology and stewardship while improving the habitat. trips to North Richmond Shoreline and Wildcat Creek Canyon.

G The Watershed non-profit Monitoring Water (a) public education Countywide $20,478.00 $20,478.00 A request to fund an expansion of their water quality monitoring program in four The project meets the requirements of Section 13103 (e) habitat improvement. Project Quality in Contra Costa (e) habitat improvement additional CCC watersheds: Wildcat Creek, Walnut Creek, Grayson Creek and With the assistance of highly trained interns, the goal of the project is to & County Watersheds Marsh Creek Watersheds. The funds will go toward annual stipends for trained standardize monitoring and assessment such that they can compare data SPAWNERS monitoring interns as well as purchasing monitoring equipment and supplies. across watersheds and learn important information about regional and local Results will be shared with the community through outreach events, newsletters, trends. Information will be shared with the community through outreach events, and websites, including behavioral changes people can make to improve the newsletters, and websites, including behavioral changes people can make to creeks' water quality. improve the creeks' water quality.

Page 1 of 3 4/3/2017 !!!For Reference Only!!! 2017 Grant Recommendations !!! For Reference Only!!! Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2017 - Revised April 3, 2017

Organization Type of Org Project Title Type of Project Location of Requested Recommended Staff Summary of the Request FWC Rationale for Recommendation the Project Funding Funding Amount Amount e s t

H Lindsay Wildlife non-profit Reliable disease (b) temporary Countywide $6,884.50 $6,884.50 A request to fund the purchase and installation of two-commerical grade stack- The project meets the requirements of Section 13103 (b) temporary emergency Experience control in a wildlife emergency treatment unit dryers. treatment and care of injured or orphaned wildlife. These commercial grade hospital through and care of injured and Speed Queen stack tumble dryers are the same make/model as as they have commercial-grade orphaned wildlife had since 2003 and have found them to be energy efficient and reliable. laundry equipment

I Marine Science non-profit Delta Discovery (a) public education Central $4,688.00 $0.00 A request for partial funding for marine science education for 5th grade students Funding is not recommended. Payroll, benefits and overhead costs were a Institute Voyage County/ East aboard MSI's 90' research vessel on the Delta. Curriculum includes an activity substantial amount of their funding request. County book designed to prepare the students to get the most out of their upcoming excursion and hands-on scientific exploration on their 3.5 hour voyage.

J Regional Parks non-profit East Bay Regional (a) public education Countywide $10,000.00 $10,000.00 A request for funding to expand the EBRPD's Horse Mounted Patrol unit from a The project meets the requirements of Section 13103 (m) other expenditures. Foundation Park District - (m) other expenditures 2-person to a 3-person team. The funds would be used to purchase a horse. Funding the purchase of the horse will help to expand EBRPD's horse mounted Education, Outreach, The focus of outreach, education and resource protection is to prevent the patrol which will focus on outreach, education and resource protection. and Resource spread of disease potentially carried by domestic dogs which could be spread to Protection using Horse San Joaquin kit fox. They will patrol Round Valley Regional Preserve Mounted Patrol approximately 5 - 8 times a month. Other park trails they visit are Ironhorse Officers Trail, Marsh Creek Trail, Big Break, Contra Loma and Delta Deanza. K Pleasant Hill non-profit Grayson Creek (a) public education Central County $953.64 $953.64 A request for funding to provide water quality monitoring, journaling and The project meets the requirements of Section 13103 (a) public education. The Instructional Watershed Initial observation for initial assessment of Grayson Creek, involving MDUSD project provides for public education with a base line site assessment including Garden Assessment at Horizons Independent High School students and home schooled students with water quality data for Grayson Creek near and behind Mt. Diablo Unified School Pleasant Hill Education their families in accordance with Watershed Forum guidelines and protocols. District's Pleasant Hill Education Center. The project will practice curriculum and Center standard water sampling protocols used by other volunteer creek restoration organizations as part of the County Watershed Forum.

L Save Mount Diablo non-profit Curry Creek Habitat (e) habitat improvement Central County $10,000.00 $10,000.00 A request for funding to improve habitat for wildlife, including threatened The project meets the requirements of Section 13103 (e) habitat improvement Restoration species, along a sensitive riparian corridor of Curry Creek by removing debris by improving water quality and allowing natural cover (native plant species) to re- and re-establishing native plantings. eestablish along Curry Creek, which will provide food and shelter for both amigrating and resident populations.

d M California non-profit Quimby Island (e) habitat improvement East County $4,760.00 $0.00 A request for funding to facilitate clean up and reclamation of a marijuana Funding is not recommended. The Committee determined this was not a good Waterfowl Marijuana Trespass trespass grow on Quimby Island in the Sacramento - San Joaquin Delta. suse of public funds. The island is privately owned and generally, there is no Association Grow Site Clean Up topen public access to it. and Reclamation e

N Nomad Ecology for-profit Study to Identify (i) scientific research Countywide $13,680.00 $0.00 A request to fund a study to collect aquatic feature characteristic data and Funding is not recommended. Staff salaries were a substantial amount of their Important (m) other expenditures conduct focused surveys for the purpose of understanding habitat features funding request. Characteristics of for protecting, important for California red-legged frog breeding populations within John Muir California Red-Legged conserving, Land Trust and Save Mount Diablo properties. Frog Breeding Sites on propagating, and John Muir Land Trust preserving fish and and Save Mount Diablo wildlife Lands

Page 2 of 3 4/3/2017 !!!For Reference Only!!! 2017 Grant Recommendations !!! For Reference Only!!! Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2017 - Revised April 3, 2017

Organization Type of Org Project Title Type of Project Location of Requested Recommended Staff Summary of the Request FWC Rationale for Recommendation the Project Funding Funding Amount Amount e s t

O Mt. View Sanitary MVSD - MVSD River Otter Prey (i) scientific research Central County $8,940.00 $800.00 A request for partial funding to study the ecological niche of river otters in The project meets the requirements of Section 13103 (i) scientific research. District government Study and MVSD's wetlands throughout Moorhen Marsh, McNabney Marsh, and Peyton Partial funding is recommended and may only be used for the purchase of the & ROEP - non-profit Environmental Slough. ROEP, as part of its “Hands-on High School” environmental education sampling equipment. Staff costs and not benefiting Contra Cost County The River Otter Education Pilot project, will partner with Marin Academy in San Rafael to undertake scat students were the factors for not recommending the funding of the remainder of Ecology Project Program analysis for this project, providing a unique environmental education experience the grant request. Since The River Otter Ecology Project involves multiple for participating students. If successful, ROEP and MVSD will explore counties, the FWC recommends a condition that requires that the equipment

expanding the environmental education experience to Contra Costa County high only be used and stored in Contra Costa County. schools. t P Earth Team non-profit Research, education (a) public education East County $10,761.00 $3,936.00 A request to fund research and habitat improvement internships at Marsh Creek The project meets the requirements of Section 13103 (a) public education and and habitat (e) habitat improvement with Antioch High School ESA. Earth Team will recruit and train a team of 14 (e) habitat improvement. The project fullfills the goals of the Committee by improvement on Marsh youth from Antioch High School as interns to work as research assistants to providing funds for public education and has important long-term ecological y Creek help restore native vegetation and monitor water quality on a three acre adopted restoration objectives that include the viability of the fish passage in the lower site in the upper Marsh Creek area. Marsh Creek. Partial funding is recommended to fund the direct costs for project supplies, materials and services, and travel as outlined in Earth Team's grant request application.

Q The Ruth Bancroft non-profit Waterwise (a) public education Central County $1,700.00 $1,700.00 A request for funding to help develop, market and deliver free education days The project meets the requirements of Section 13103 (a) public education. The Garden Wednesdays @ The known as "Waterwise Wednesdays" at The Ruth Bancroft Garden. The Ruth Ruth Bancroft Garden will partner with other environmental and conservation Ruth Bancroft Garden Bancroft Garden will partner with other environmental and conservation groups groups to educate the community about specific, actionable and practical ways to educate the community about specific, actionable and practical ways community members can reduce water consumption, create beautiful areas of community members can reduce water consumption, create beautiful areas of wildlife habitat and forage in home gardens, and reduce the use of pesticides wildlife habitat and forage in home gardens, and reduce the use of pesticides and herbicides. and herbicides. R Mills College non-profit Ecology of Fear: What (a) public education Countywide $9,430.75 $9,430.75 A request to fund long-term tracking of stress responses of wild California The project meets the requirements of Section 13103 (a) public education, (i) Stresses Out Wild (i) scientific research ground squirrels in CCC. The specific goals of this project are to: (1) track the scientific research and (m) other expenditures for protecting, conserving, Mammals? (m) other expenditures health of a wildlife population by monitoring animals from two distinct areas over propagating, and preserving fish and wildlife. Undergraduates will be central in for protecting, time, (2) identify the relative influences of multiple stressors, including those the project; students will live-trap wildlife, conduct hormone assays, author conserving, imposed by humans, in shaping the stress response for a free-living mammal, manuscripts, and present their findings. The results of this study will provide propagating, and and (3) elucidate whether these key stressors predict reproductive outcomes useful information on the effects of stress which may prove applicable to a preserving fish and that should in turn regulate the abundance of wildlife populations. range of mammal species. wildlife S The Regents of Public University Farming for Native (a) public education East County $10,080.00 $4,800.00 A request for funding to support the installation and evaluation of artificial The project meets the requirements of Section 13103 (a) public education, (e) o the University of Bees (e) habitat improvement nesting systems for native bees in Brentwood, which includes travel for habitat improvement and (i) scientific research. The Committee supports the California (i) scientific research research trips to Brentwood and presentations, workshops and conferences. In installation and evaluation of artificial nesting systems for native bees and addition, funds would be used for educational materials to ensure that their educational materials for presentations, workshops, conferences, local d findings are reaching local producers and other stakeholders, including a set of producers and other stakeholders. Partial funding is recommended and to be video training modules that walk viewers through the process of designing, used for travel expenses for research trips to Brentwood and educational installing and maintaining native bee habitat. They plan to integrate screenings materials only. e of the modules into their full schedule of workshops and presentations. $145,557.92 $102,184.92

Total Available Funds (as of January 13, 2017) $272,962.20

Remainder $170,777.28

Subtotals by Region Requested Funding Percentage of Recommended Percentage of Total Amount Total Amount Funding Amount Requested Amount Recommended for Approval East $27,945.00 19.20% $8,736.00 8.55% West $10,202.50 7.01% $10,202.50 9.98% Central $15,917.64 10.94% $5,433.64 5.32% Countywide $91,492.78 62.86% $77,812.78 76.15% TOTAL $145,557.92 100.00% $102,184.92 100.00%

Page 3 of 3 4/3/2017 !!!For Reference Only!!! 2016 Grant Recommendations!!! For Reference Only!!! Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2016

Organization Type of Org Project Title Type of Location of Requested Recommended Staff Summary of the Request FWC Rationale for Recommendation Project the Project Funding Funding Amount Amount A Montair Nature non-profit Montair Nature (a) public Central $975.00 $0.00 A request for grant funds to finalize and print a brochure to educate Funding is not recommended due to the limited amount of Trail Trail Education education County students and the general public about the Montair Nature Trail which is grant funds this year. The benefits of this proposed project and Improvement located immediately adjacent to the Montair Elementary School in Danville. are limited compared to other proposals considered. The brochure will also enhance support for the Montair Nature Trail program which provides watershed improvements, vegetation management, removal of wildlife migration barriers, enhancement of wildlife migration corridors, creation of wildlife protections (bat and owl boxes), and public education of their local ecological community.

B KIDS for the BAY non-profit Watershed Action (a) public West County $5,000.00 $0.00 A request for grant funds to deliver the Watershed Action Project to 3rd, Funding is not recommended due to the limited grant Program education 4th and 5th grade students from low-income Richmond schools. The funds available this year. (e) habitat Watershed Action Program will teach students about the scientific improvement principles of fish and wildlife conservation, as well as help to improve the health of fish and wildlife habitats in Contra Costa County through Environmental Action Projects.

C SPAWNERS non-profit Monitoring Water (a) public West County $3,825.00 $0.00 1. A request for grant funds to continue monitoring water quality and Funding is not recommended due to the limited grant Quality in the San education benthic macroinvertebrates (BMI) in San Pablo Creek. Funds for the water funds available this year. Pablo Creek (e) habitat quality monitoring program would go toward an annual stipend for their Watershed improvement monitoring intern and purchasing monitoring supplies such as reagents. 2. A request for grant funds for their BMI program that will go toward purchasing supplies as well as paying the Program Coordinator to run the monthly events and write a final report after one year. **Both programs will promote public education and work towards improved water quality and habitat for native fish.

D Mt. View Sanitary MVSD: McNabney Marsh (e) habitat Central $6,000.00 $4,500.00 A request to partially fund a Nesting Raft Project that will protect migratory The project meets the requirements of Section 13103 (e) District and Mount government Nesting Raft improvement County bird nests, eggs, and chicks from flooding/drowning in McNabney Marsh. habitat improvement. Partial funding is recommended for Diablo Audubon Project the construction of three rafts to protect migratory bird Society MDAS: non- nests, eggs, and chicks from flooding/drowning in profit McNabney Marsh.

Page 1 of 4 4/15/2016 !!!For Reference Only!!! 2016 Grant Recommendations!!! For Reference Only!!! Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2016

F Worth a Dam non-profit A.L.L.A.B.O.A.R.D (a) public Central $975.00 $975.00 A request for grant funds to conduct a fun ecosystem engineer teaching The project meets the requirements of Section 13103 (a) . (A little learning education County activity at the 9th Annual Beaver Festival in Martinez that will teach children public education and fulfills educational goals of the about beaver about habitat, food chain and species abundance. Children will earn Committee by providing funds to educate children with a operations and charms by understanding how beaver behaviors affect various species fun activity that will teach them about habitat, food chain riparian dwellers) (dragonfly, turtle, frog, salmon, egret and otter). and species abundance.

G Lindsay Wildlife non-profit Investing in (a) public Countywide $8,840.72 $7,567.51 A request for grant funds to purchase a gas sterilizer, ECG machine to The project meets the requirements of Section 13103 (b) Experience Wildlife education monitor patients and esophageal stethoscope amplifier and training CD to temporary emergency treatment and care of injured or Rehabilitation (b) temporary enhance wildlife care. orphaned wildlife. Partial funding is recommended and emergency only to be used for the gas sterilizer. Staff currently drives treatment and safety equipment to Sacramento to get sterilized, which is care of injured a lengthy and expensive process. Having a gas sterilizer or orphaned on site will help create greater efficiencies in the wildlife wildlife hospital and allow them to treat patients using fewer resources. H Mills College non-profit Ecology of Fear: (a) public Countywide $10,308.04 $0.00 A request for grant funds for long-term tracking of stress responses of wild Funding is not recommended. There were a limited What Stresses education California ground squirrels in Contra Costa County. This project will amount of grant funds this year and projects involving Out Wild (i) scientific capitalize on five years of data on two groups of California ground squirrels scientific research were not recommended for funding. Mammals? research (Otospermophilus beecheyi) to understand how stressors influence the (m) other health and reproduction of a wild mammal. expenditures

I Contra Costa government Contra Costa (a) public Countywide $3,000.00 $3,000.00 A request for grant funds for components of hosting and printing materials The project meets the requirements of Section 13103 (a) County on behalf County Creek and education for the 5th Quadrennial Contra Costa County Creek and Watershed public education. The Symposium is an educational and of the Contra Watershed Symposium. inspirational event that draws local groups, community Costa Watershed Symposium members, representatives from the public and private Forum sectors interested in creek and watershed health together to share information, problem solve and network.

J Earth Team non-profit Sustainable Youth (a) public West County $9,970.00 $0.00 A request for grant funds to provide two teams of 12 students each with Funding is not recommended due to the limited amount of Watershed education East County training in hands-on scientific riparian habitat monitoring and restoration grant funds this year. Internships at (e) habitat techniques while actively improving upland and creek corridor habitat along Pinole Creek and improvement two adopted locations along Pinole Creek and Marsh Creek and engaging Marsh Creek local residents in public outreach/education events.

Page 2 of 4 4/15/2016 !!!For Reference Only!!! 2016 Grant Recommendations!!! For Reference Only!!! Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2016

Organization Type of Org Project Title Type of Location of Requested Recommended Staff Summary of the Request FWC Rationale for Recommendation Project the Project Funding Funding Amount Amount K The Regional non-profit Kids Healthy (a) public Countywide $10,000.00 $0.00 A request for grant funds to provide field trip transportation for the Kids Funding is not recommended due to the limited amount of Parks Foundation Outdoors education Healthy Outdoors Challenge Program which is a school year-based grant funds this year. Challenge Field environmental education curriculum for low-income East Bay 3rd graders. Trips Transportation

L Nomad Ecology, for-profit Post-Fire floristic (i) scientific Central $11,750.00 $0.00 A request for grant funds to conduct scientific research that will provide Funding is not recommended. There were a limited LLC research project of research County baseline information of the post-fire flora of Mount Diablo as a result of the amount of grant funds this year and projects involving the 2013 Morgan (m) other 2013 Morgan Fire; which will include sampling, data management and data scientific research were not recommended for funding. Fire, Mount Diablo expenditures analysis, and preparation of a scientific journal article for publication. This information will provide local land managers such as California State Parks, East Bay Regional Park District, and Contra Costa Water District with relevant post-fire plant species and vegetation community information to help inform ecological management decisions; especially related to recruitment of rare fire-following species, noxious weed establishment, and recruitment of the foundational shrub layer. M Urban Tilth non-profit 'Basins of (a) public West County $89,831.00 $4,975.00 A request for grant funds to expand their Watershed Restoration The project meets the requirements of Section 13103 (a) Relations' education Technician training program beyond its initial rollout scope. public education and (e) habitat improvement. The project Program (e) habitat Urban Tilth’s 'Basins of Relations' program trains young people from West improves riparian habitat, provides construction and improvement Contra Costa County to become stewards of their watersheds, erosion control measures and barriers to protect critical communities, and the creeks that run through them. oversummering pools for salmonids and other native fish, and educates the public through community engagement events. Partial funding is recommended and may only be used for equipment and supplies.

N Tri-Valley Fly non-profit Trout in the (a) public East County $1,432.00 $1,432.00 A request for grant funds for the Trout in the Classroom Program to provide The project meets the requirements of Section 13103 (a) Fishers Classroom education equipment to four new classrooms. The program is coordinated by the CA public education and (d) breeding, raising, purchasing, or Program - New (d) Breeding, Dpt of Fish & Wildlife and provides students with the opportunity to witness releasing fish or wildlife; and fulfills educational goals of Classroom raising, Rainbow Trout eggs hatch and develop in a classroom aquarium and the Committee by providing funds to educate children with Aquarium Systems purchasing, or complete several lesson assignments and classroom activities related to several lesson assignments and classroom activities releasing fish the fish, their development, habitat and environmental needs that make it related to the fish, their development, habitat and or wildlife possible for the fish to survive. environmental needs that make it possible for the fish to survive.

Page 3 of 4 4/15/2016 !!!For Reference Only!!! 2016 Grant Recommendations!!! For Reference Only!!! Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2016

P The Gardens at non-profit Watershed & (a) public Central $10,300.00 $0.00 A request for grant funds to design and deliver curriculum to educate Funding is not recommended due to the limited amount of Heather Farm Wildlife in Contra education County students about our local watershed and the wildlife that depends upon it. grant funds this year. Costa County Students will learn what they and their families can do to help keep our watershed and wildlife healthy. The curriculum will be targeted at 3rd through 6th graders. It will include hands-on learning experiences and highlight the geographic boundaries and physical features of our local watershed, as well as the ecological systems and how they are affected by human behavior. Fifty classes will be provided to students throughout Contra Costa County at no cost to the schools or students. They expect to be able to reach about 1,500 students. $176,156.76 $22,449.51

Total Available Funds (as of January 14, 2016) $38,437.50

Subtotals by Requested Percentage of Recommended Percentage of Region Funding Total Amount Funding Total Amount Amount Requested Amount Recommended for Approval

East $7,367.00 4.18% $1,432.00 6.38%

West $103,641.00 58.83% $4,975.00 22.16%

Central $33,000.00 18.73% $5,475.00 24.39%

Countywide $32,148.76 18.25% $10,567.51 47.07%

TOTAL $176,156.76 100.00% $22,449.51 100.00%

Page 4 of 4 4/15/2016 A *Note: The Regional Parks Foundation has several projects that match the Propagation Fund’s selection criteria, so this year we are doing something a little different, and are offering the Commission a menu of options. The Foundation is requesting an award of $20,000 from the Propagation Fund, however will leave it up to the Commission to decide relative funding amounts based on interest. We are proposing 2 possible projects for consideration – The East Bay Mountain Lion Project (EBMLP) and the Kids Healthy Outdoors Challenge (KHOC). Not only do both project fit the funding criteria, but the Foundation is committed to raising additional funds to support each project, and both can be scaled depending on the amount of funds raised (neither project is an “all-or-nothing type of situation). 1. Project Description Among our greatest current conservation challenges is learning to successfully live with wide-ranging carnivores in a world of fragmenting wild places. This is certainly true in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, where increasing human populations drive rising human-wildlife conflict, and threaten carnivores that require large, interconnected landscapes. Mountain lions, coyotes, bobcats, and gray foxes still persist in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area on fragmented wild lands, that are adjacent to highly altered human-dominated landscape and widespread human activities.

The region is a mosaic of dense urban, sprawling suburban, exurban, and rural development, juxtaposed among remnant wild lands primarily managed as parks and open space by the East Bay Regional Park District, as well as other agencies and organizations. Alameda County has the highest human population and continues to lead the Bay Area in growth with over 25,000 additional residents per year. Land development in Alameda and Contra Costa counties continues throughout the region expanding the human-wildland interface particularly in the east. At the same time, participation in outdoor recreation by East Bay residents continues to grow and spread eastward. The East Bay Regional Park District currently hosts approximately 25 million visitors each year.

Today, mountain lions (Puma concolor) are the last of the large iconic carnivores in California, where their current status is complicated. Generally, there is broad public support for mountain lion conservation throughout the state (e.g., the public passed a referendum in 1990 to ban the hunting of mountain lions). Nevertheless, humans remain the leading cause of death for mountain lions across their entire range, even in California. Cultural mythology perpetuating fear, wildlife management prioritizing other mammals such as horses and cows over predators, potential conflicts between wild carnivores and livestock, and misconceptions of the perceived threat drive retaliatory and preemptive killing of large carnivores, both legally and illegally. Currently, we estimate that 4,000 mountain lions are killed every year in the USA and Canada, mostly legally. In California, approximately 100 (min, based on depredation permits) mountain lions are killed annually for public safety and conflict mitigation. More are killed on roads (e.g., Vickers et al. 2015) in vehicle collisions, which not only endangers the lives of humans, but results in personal property damage as well.

Apex predators, like mountain lions, are critically important to structuring and regulating biological communities, however their habits and routines remain largely a mystery. In understanding how a large carnivore, like the mountain lion, can survive and thrive along the urban interface in the East Bay, we can inform big cat conservation efforts around the world. Working together with Panthera, the East Bay Regional Park District hopes to develop a better understanding of these apex predators and how we can successfully live alongside carnivores in general. The long-term goals of the East Bay Mountain Lion Project are to: I. Identify important corridors for mountain lion movement, to inform future land acquisition by the EBRPD. II. Gain a better understanding of the challenges that mountain lions face along a suburban/urban interface. III. Identify areas of potential human-mountain lion conflict, and develop strategies to mitigate these conflicts. IV. Document mountain lion ecology specific to the East Bay. V. Increase public awareness of the behavior and ecological role of mountain lions in California. VI. Contribute vital data to a CA Department of Fish and Wildlife effort to tally the State’s mountain lion population.

The Regional Parks Foundation (RPF) is requesting funds from the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund to cover the cost of purchasing 10 additional cameras, train citizen scientists, and analyze the image data. The cameras will expand the study area under surveillance from two key areas to three key areas in the East Bay. At present, cameras are located to the North in the Oakland Hills in Tilden and Sibley Regional Parks and include a key corridor surrounding the Caldecott Tunnel. Additionally, cameras are located in the South near the Ohlone and Sunol Regional Wilderness Parks. The third area, funded with a Propagation Fund grant, will be located in the East near Mount Diablo at the Morgan Territory and Round Valley Regional Preserves. This third monitoring site will complete the final leg of a very large triangle under study. The cameras will be placed in the low-lying riparian areas and the ridgetops, not only to monitor carnivores, but to also track the other wildlife in the area as well as human activity. The additional study area will contribute to understanding carnivore activity and depredation in the Mount Diablo region compared to the other two sites, as well as potentially allow the team to distinguish individual animals (with images alone) that frequent all three study sites, and begin to identify movement corridors that connect these three areas.

In addition to purchasing the cameras funds will also support image and data analysis. One camera alone can capture approximately 22,000 images per week that need to be viewed, categorized, and sorted. The EBRPD works with a contractor to complete this time-intensive task, so to offset a portion of these costs and involve the public, the team plans to train citizen scientists to help analyze some of the images. Volunteer projects like this help create a sense of community while converting park visitors into stewards of the Regional Parks. Volunteers provide support, and in-turn learn valuable concepts while supporting causes they love.

2. Annual Budget for the apply organization (not itemized) - $2,952,380 3. Statement Describing the applying organization, listing the BOD and officers of the organization and listing of affiliated organizations William Yarborough – Pres Christina Clark – OUSD Thomas R. Meier – Kaiser Health Bank of America Patricia Deutsche – Andeavor Helane Morrision – Hall Capital Ptns Chip Conradi – Vice President Nathan Falk – Terasu, LLC Brian Sharpes – Graystone The Clorox Company Les Hausrath – Wendel, Rossen, Consulting John Dilsavver – Treasurer Black, & Dean George Sloan – Education Consult Real Estate Broker Audree Jones-Taylor – Oakland Keith White – Gap, Inc Robert Jacques – Secretary Parks and Recreation Steve Wood – REI, Inc Destination Wealth Mgmt Peter Liu – Clean Energy Advantage Beverly Lane – Ex Officio BOD Pres Lisa Baldinger – EBRPD Jenny Mack – Kaiser NorCal Jess Brown – PG&E John Martin – Drake’s Brewing Co

Carol Johnson – Foundation Executive Director (also EBRPD Pulic Affairs AGM) Juliana Schirmer – Foundation Development Director Raj Hajela – Foundation Administrator Michele Kageura – Membership Development Officer Levan Earle – Membership/Development Associate Shannon Britton – Membership/Development Associate May Bautista – Membership/Development Associate

The Regional Parks Foundation was founded in 1969 to support the East Bay Regional Park District through fundraising to provide universal access, environmental stewardship, educational and recreational programs, and the acquisition of parklands. The Foundation’s goal is to ensure that all East Bay residents have equal opportunity to enjoy the treasured parklands, because connections with nature are essential for overall well-being.

4. Statement describing the qualifications of the sponsoring organization and participating individuals for completing the project For 83 years the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) has been connecting parks to people by preserving open space and cultural resources, and offering enjoyable and healthful recreational activities. The District encompasses 73 regional parks, 1,250 miles of trails, and 55 miles of shoreline that make up the 121,030 acres of parkland throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. It is the largest urban regional network of park lands in the entire nation, and annually receives approximately 25 million visits per year.

5. List of individuals responsible for performing project and of individuals responsible for overseeing project Steven Bobzien – Project Lead at EBRPD – Steve is an ecologist and 20-year veteran of the Park District. His role is to help design and implement the project including things such as: project logistics and management, safe capture and wildlife handling, fieldwork, public outreach, writing scientific papers, developing agency and public outreach materials, as well as acting as a liaison with partners, agencies, and supporters.

Jennifer Hunter – Project Lead at Panthera – has a PhD in Ecology from UC Davis. Dr. Hunter is Steve’s counterpart at Panthera, and will serve in an identical role at the partner agency.

6. Statement describing the status of permit approvals necessary to perform project (if applicable) Are permits necessary or needed? The East Bay Mountain Lion Project (EBMLP) is focused on the urban/wildland interface in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, but it is also intended to contribute to mountain lion management and conservation objectives throughout California. Part of the project is to eventually capture, tag, and monitor the large carnivores in the region.

To-date the EBMLP has not formally applied to CDFW for a Scientific Collecting Permit, and accordingly, no animals are being captured or handled. When the team reaches this stage of the project (projected to be Q4 of 2018 or Q1 2019) all project activities will comply with California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) policies and procedures – including application for a CDFW Scientific Collection Permit for all activities that involve handling animals. If awarded, funds from this request will explicitly be used to purchase cameras (and related supplies) to monitor a third study area in the EBMLP. The project qualifies for Propagation Fund support through the CA Fish & Game Code Section 13103 (m) Other expenditures, approved by the department, for the purpose of protecting, conserving, propagating, and preserving fish and wildlife.

7. Project Schedule To-date the team has developed the study plan, partnership agreement, and finalized a budget. Right now, the EBRPD and the RPF are focused on fundraising to be able to fully engage Panthera in the project. Meanwhile, the EBRPD team continues to collect data on mountain lions and other species using strategically located cameras, video cameras, and other tracking mechanisms. If awarded, a grant from the Propagation Fund will enable the team to monitor an additional site and expand the study area under surveillance.

8. Project Budget EAST BAY MOUNTAIN LION PROJECT - 5 YEAR PROPOSED BUDGET Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 REQUEST A. Personnel $147,000 $186,300 $190,757 $195,325 $200,006 B. Travel $11,700 $11,000 $11,000 $11,000 $11,000 C. Supplies Cable & Pad locks (Cameras) $360 $360 $360 $360 $180 $360 Security Boxes (Cameras) $500 $500 SD Cards (32GB) $440 $440 AA Lithium batteries (Cameras) $3,000 $4,000 $4,000 $4,000 $2,000 $400 Hyperfire cameras@ $650/ea $7,200 $2,400 $2,400 $1,200 $0 $3,900 Video cameras @ $700/ea $2,800 $2,100 $700 $0 $0 $2,800 Image Analysis & Citizen Scientist Training $11,600 Garmin handheld GPS (2) $1,200 $0 $0 $0 $0 Laptop computers (2) $4,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 Communications $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 Office supplies $800 $800 $800 $800 $800 Walk through cage traps $6,500 $0 $0 $0 $0 GPS Collars $29,000 $29,000 $22,000 $22,000 $0 GPS Satellite link $4,500 $11,500 $11,500 $11,500 $11,500 igotU GPS units @ $40/ea $4,000 $0 $1,000 $0 $0 4WD Truck (maint, reg, ins, etc) $7,500 $7,500 $30,000 $7,500 $7,500 D. Services $7,000 $7,500 $30,000 $35,000 $10,000 TOTALS $323,150 $361,665 $429,782 $420,548 $351,489 $20,000 B *Note: The Regional Parks Foundation has several projects that match the Propagation Fund’s selection criteria, so this year we are doing something a little different, and are offering the Commission a menu of options. The Foundation is requesting an award of $20,000 from the Propagation Fund, however will leave it up to the Commission to decide relative funding amounts based on interest. We are proposing 2 possible projects for consideration – The East Bay Mountain Lion Project (EBMLP) and the Kids Healthy Outdoors Challenge (KHOC). Not only do both projects fit the funding criteria, but the Foundation is committed to raising additional funds to support each project, and both can be scaled depending on the amount of funds raised (neither project is an “all-or-nothing” type of situation).

1. Project Description The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) Master Plan 2013 highlights the importance of connecting youth to nature and building future environmental stewards. Unfortunately, over the past several decades, playing outside has become secondary to television, video/computer games, and obligations such as demanding school work and extra-curricular activities. In addition, many low-income and minority children are often more cut-off from nature because of their built environment – the housing conditions, a high-volume of traffic, and/or lack of parks and green space all make it much harder for these young people to play outside (National Environmental Education Foundation, 2015).

At the same time the mounting evidence shows that when youth lose Kids Healthy Outdoors Challenge contact with the natural environment they are missing key opportunities Racial/Ethnic Composition of Students for physical activity, stress reduction, attention restoration, and healthy 2% 4% development (Committee on Environmental Health, 2009). And as equally Af. Amer as important, this “Nature Deficit” also weakens ecological literacy and Asian stewardship of the natural world (Louv, 2006). By not going outside to play 16% Caucasian in the natural world kids miss out on these great health improvement 15% opportunities, and can grow up without an understanding of basic 45% Latino ecological principles and what they can do to be good stewards of our 18% PI environment. 2+ Races To offset these trends, The Master Plan priorities include expanding efforts to attract young people to parks, and The Kids Health Outdoors Challenge (KHOC) directly supports this plan. The program started as a pilot project in 2012 to promote outdoor education and play while also supporting the delivery of third-grade curriculum content in Alameda and Contra Costa County elementary schools. The program is meant to be a tool to help teach required curriculum content standards (now including common core) for third graders outside in nature, while also helping teachers become more confident delivering lessons outdoors. Not only does the program ensure that future generations of kids have access to the outdoors for play, but nature is the ultimate hands-on learning environment, and through KHOC teachers have the chance to help bridge the science achievement gaps that persist in underserved communities.

KHOC closely aligns with the California Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights, which states that every child in California by the completion of their 14th year, should have the opportunity to experience a number of common outdoors activities such as discovering California’s past and heritage, exploring nature, and learning to follow a trail. These themes are the basis for KHOC lessons – there are10 lessons that are a combination of classroom and field work, as well as activities for the kids to complete outside of formal instruction with their families. The activities are designed to be fun and easy to complete. Once the classroom lessons are complete, teachers can take their students to a Regional Park where they use the park as an outdoor learning environment. The cost of bus transportation for the field trip, which is KHOC’s single largest expense, is underwritten by the Regional Parks Foundation and the generous support from organizations such as the Contra Costa Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Program goals include: For Students For Teachers • Promote health, well-being, & life-long parks use • Increase comfort and skills teaching outdoors • Introduce students to the EBRPD Parks • Help teachers deliver 3rd grade science content • Increase students' interest in nature • Use EBRPD resources to support learning • Create lifelong environmental stewards • Promote health, well-being, & life-long parks use One of the goals of KHOC is to introduce kids to the East Bay Regional Park District parks that are right in their backyard. For many kids, they have never visited these local parks nor do their families know about the Park system. The field trip, which is typically done in the spring, is very popular with teachers and kids alike. Teacher evaluations reveal that kids love the parks so much that they often return to the parks with their families over the weekend.

Some parks are closer and more accessible than others, and the Kids Healthy Outdoors Challenge most popular are typically the parks where a naturalist guide is Invited Teachers 2012-2017 available to help with the field trip. In the 2016-17 school year 150 these parks were visited: Tilden Regional Park (9), Crab Cove Visitor Center at Crown Memorial State Beach (7), Coyote Hills 100 Regional Park (5), Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve (4), Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area (4), Del Valle Regional 50 Park (3), Redwood Regional Park (2), Big Break Regional Shoreline (2), Sunol Regional Wilderness (1), Garin Regional Park (1). 0 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 In the 2016-2017 school year, the cost of providing transportation for KHOC was approximately $12.50 per student and chaperone, and on average the buses carried nearly 60 people. Based on these numbers, an award of $5,000 would cover transportation for 400 kids, an award of $10,000 would cover 800 kids, an award of $15,000 would cover 1,200 kids, and an award of $20,000 would cover approximately 1,600 kids.

KHOC aligns with “a” under the requirements of Section 13103 of the Fish & Game Code – Public education relating to the scientific principles of fish and wildlife conservation, consisting of supervised formal instruction carried out pursuant to a planned curriculum and aids to education such as literature, audio and video recordings, training models, and nature study facilities.

2. Annual Budget for the apply organization (not itemized) - $2,785,138 3. Statement Describing the applying organization, listing the BOD and officers of the organization and listing of affiliated organizations The purpose of the Regional Parks Foundation (RPF) is to provide broader public access to the East Bay Regional Park District’s 73 Regional Parks, 1,250 miles of trails, and 40 miles of shoreline that make up the 121,030 acres throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. The Foundation’s goal is to ensure that all East Bay residents have equal opportunity to enjoy the treasured parklands, because connections with nature are essential for overall well-being.

Regional Parks Foundation – Board of Directors William Yarborough – Pres Christina Clark – OUSD Thomas R. Meier – Kaiser Health Bank of America Patricia Deutsche – Andeavor Helane Morrision – Hall Capital Ptns Chip Conradi – Vice President Nathan Falk – Terasu, LLC Brian Sharpes – Graystone The Clorox Company Les Hausrath – Wendel, Rossen, Consulting John Dilsavver – Treasurer Black, & Dean George Sloan – Education Consult Real Estate Broker Audree Jones-Taylor – Oakland Keith White – Gap, Inc Robert Jacques – Secretary Parks and Recreation Steve Wood – REI, Inc Destination Wealth Mgmt Peter Liu – Clean Energy Advantage Beverly Lane – Ex Officio BOD Pres Lisa Baldinger – EBRPD Jenny Mack – Kaiser NorCal Jess Brown – PG&E John Martin – Drake’s Brewing Co

4. Statement describing the qualifications of the sponsoring organization and participating individuals for completing the project For 83 years the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) has been connecting parks to people by preserving open space and cultural resources, and offering enjoyable and healthful recreational activities. The District encompasses 73 regional parks, 1,250 miles of trails, and 40 miles of shoreline that make up the 121,030 acres of parkland throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. It is the largest urban regional network of park lands in the entire nation, and annually receives approximately 25 million visits per year.

5. List of individuals responsible for performing project & individuals responsible for overseeing project Ira Bletz is the EBRPD’s Regional Interpretive and Recreation Services Manager. Ira has worked at the Park District for over 30 years, including more than 25 years as the supervisor of Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont, and is currently in charge of overseeing the KHOC program. In addition, Ira works with a contracted program coordinator to coordinate KHOC activities and conduct the year-end evaluation.

6. Statement describing the status of permit approvals necessary to perform project (if applicable) Are permits necessary or needed? Not Applicable – No permits necessary

7. Project Schedule KHOC follows the school calendar running from September to June each year. Important dates include: • October 3 – Applications due to Park District (teachers must apply each year to be part of the program • October 15 – Selected classrooms announced • November 2018 – Teacher orientation – All teachers attend the orientation even if they have participated in the past, and are given multiple options of days/times so they can choose an option that fits their schedule. • November 2018 - Official start date • December 3 – Due date for naturalist guided field trip requests (optional) • March 1, 2019 – Transportation request forms due – part of the program includes a field trip to one of the East Bay Regional Parks. • May 10, 2019 – Last day to complete curriculum and field trips • Late May 2019 – End of year teacher survey

8. Project Budget

Kids Healthy Outdoors Challenge Item & Description Cost Propagation Fund Request Bus Transportation - Fieldtrips to Regional Parks $55,000 $16,500 for low-income schools (on avg $12.50 per child) Personnel $16,000 Contract - Program Coordinator for teacher $10,500 outreach, assessments, and evaluation KHOC Teacher's Guide - Print $1,600 $500 KHOC Student Booklets - Print $5,000 $2,500 Teacher Orientation - Supplies & Lunches $1,600 $500 Park Specific Activity Kits $400 Redwood, Garin, Martinez Shoreline & Shadow Cliffs School Outreach $500 Total $90,600 $20,000 *If awarded a grant, funds will exclusively support schools located in Contra Costa County &RQWUD&RVWD&RXQW\ 2IILFH8VH2QO\ )LVKDQG:LOGOLIH3URSDJDWLRQ)XQG $SSOLFDWLRQ&RYHU3DJH C Project title: Native Bees in Urban Brentwood and Agricultural Brentwood

Organization/Individual applying: The Regents of the University of California

(Organization type: please check one – government, non-profit, for-profit, other (explain) Public University

Address: Sponsored Projects Office, University of California 2150 Shattuck Ave., Ste 313, Berkeley, CA 94704-5940 Telephone: (510) 664-9014 Fax: (510) 642-8236

E-mail: [email protected]

Name and title of contact person: Thanh Phuong Nguyen, Contract and Grant Officer

One sentence summary of proposal: Conduct inventory of native bees of urban and Ag Brentwood

Requested grant: $8,900.00

Proposal prepared by (name & title): Dr. Gordon Frankie, Faculty, University of California, Berkeley

Signature (Typing your name does not count as a signature. If this section is empty, your proposal will not be considered):

______Signed on ______11/01/2017

Clear Form Native Bees in Urban Brentwood and Agricultural Brentwood

Description of the project for which funding is requested

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) have been in decline since 2006 when the term “Colony Collapse Disorder” (CCD) was coined to describe greatly declining populations of bees in North America, Europe, India, and Brazil (NRC 2007). No single causal factor was identified, but several factors were suspected of contributing to CCD including neonicotinoid pesticide poisoning, poor honey bee nutrition, increases in natural enemies (mites, bacteria, viruses), poor handling and transporting of hives, and destruction of floral habitat around agricultural areas. The White House and EPA in 2015 announced significant warnings of decline in honey bees and urged that steps be taken to address decline and look for alternatives to honey bees.

These events have led to interest in native bees and their possible role in providing pollination services to supplement honey bees. This is not a new suggestion as native bees such as alkali bees (Nomia melanderi), blue orchard bees (Osmia lignaria) have been used to provide crop pollination services. Chaplin-Kramer et al. (2011) estimated that 35-39% of the pollination services required by California crops are provided by native bees at an economic value of $0.9- 2.4 billion annually.

In 2009, USDA-NRCS approached the Urban Bee Lab at the University of California, Berkeley about bringing urban bee-flower knowledge to agricultural fields in Brentwood, Contra Costa County with the goal of attracting native bees to supplement honey bees in crop pollination. This started a dialogue with 8 Brentwood farms to evaluate native bees as possible pollinators of crop flowers. The project was initiated in 2010.

Bees were monitored yearly at each farm from 2010-2016, which yielded several major findings: 1) farms closest to urban areas and Marsh Creek were consistently more attractive to diverse native bee species; 2) Ag crop areas had the same bee species as nearby urban areas suggesting a relationship; 3) over the 7 year study period, a total of 144 native bee species were recorded from the 8 farms through monitoring; 4) 23 diverse native bee species (out of 144 =16 %) were recorded from apple, berry, and cherry flowers, indicating that native bees were playing a role in providing pollination services to crop flowers. Findings from this study have also opened up new research avenues, which are logical extensions of the work. Two avenues form the basis for research in this proposal. Urban Brentwood: Preliminary, casual sampling of native bees in urban Brentwood revealed that 38 species were recorded, and all but one of these were found in the 8 Brentwood farms. Clearly, many more species remain to be sampled. Brentwood Farms: Bee monitoring in the 8 farms over 7 years was conducted only during the months of March-May; other months of the year were not sampled. Thus, the 144 bee species recorded from the farms is not considered to be a complete list. Overarching Project Goal The overarching goal of this proposal is to systematically sample native bees in urban Brentwood during the main flowering season of 2018 (March-Sept.) and compare this inventory with the 144 native bees of 8 Brentwood farms, which will also be sampled during 2018. The Ag Brentwood sample will complete the inventory there as the other months of the year (June-Sept.)

2 will be sampled as well. The year 2018 is an especially good year to monitor native bees in Brentwood as the entire area is the beginning to recover from 5 years of drought. This research will also add scientific understanding of drought effects on bee populations and their expected recovery, which would be a major contribution to climate science.

Project schedule

Mar.-Sept. 2018: Monitor bees in urban Brentwood to develop a relatively complete inventory of bees from this environment. Monitor bees in 8 Brentwood farms that have been previously used for an earlier study, during months of Mar-Sept Oct.-Nov. 2018: Bee species identification; compare bee inventories for similar and dissimilar bee spp. between urban and Ag Brentwood Oct.-Feb. 2018: Present findings to urban and farming communities on website, e-newsletter, and other social media. Develop posters for everyday growers and urban residents. Produce bee image posters to distribute to program participants, especially through invited Master Gardener programs.

Methods

Bee monitoring will be conducted using a standard procedure to assess diversity and abundance of bee species at each farm. Fifteen 6 oz. plastic pans, alternating between an equal number of fluorescent blue, fluorescent yellow, and plain white will be spread out on the ground ~24 feet apart in sunny locations along a mostly linear transect for 4-hour periods. Each pan will be filled with a dilute solution of soapy water (Blue Dawn in 1 gallon of water), which kills bees upon contact. Aerial netting will be used to collect bee species off known bee flowers and weedy flowering plants during the 4 hour period. Add bee plants to some urban gardens to increase attraction of bees.

Project Budget

Expenses Amount in $$ Travel RT from Berkeley to Brentwood; 50 trips @ $52.00. Per trip ($0.535/mile) $2,600.00 Materials & Supplies Purchase of bee plants $1,500 Poster supplies $500 Insect collection boxes; 6 @ $50.00 each $300 Total Travel & Supplies $4,900.00

Personnel Bee taxonomist Jaime Pawelek* will be hired on a contract basis to ID $4,000.00 bees; $50.00 per hour for 80 hrs

Total direct costs $8,900.00 Total Grant Request $8,900.00

3 Bee identifications are a critical expense owing to the difficulty and time-consuming work to ID bees to species. Jaime Pawelek is a skilled and highly competent taxonomist who has worked in past years in the UC Berkeley Bee Lab.

Statement describing the applying organization

The University’s mission is to serve society as a center of higher learning, providing long-term societal benefits through transmitting advanced knowledge, discovering new knowledge, and functioning as an active working repository of organized knowledge. That obligation includes undergraduate education, graduate and professional education, research, and other kinds of public service, which are shaped and bounded by the central pervasive mission of discovering and advancing knowledge.

Statement describing qualifications of sponsoring organization and participating individuals

For over 16 years, the Urban Bee Lab has conducted groundbreaking research on California’s native bees, their relationships with flowering plants, and their pollination role in agricultural, ornamental, and natural landscapes. Our work is providing encouraging evidence that high quality habitats can increase native bee populations, providing important pollination services, and serving as a buffer against native bee declines. Partnering with local gardeners, botanical and community gardens, schools, farmers and scientists, the Urban Bee Lab puts these groundbreaking findings to use through hands-on outreach programs that create new habitat for native bees.

Dr. Gordon Frankie has been a faculty member of the ESPM Department in the College of Natural Resources (CNR) at UC Berkeley for 40 years. CNR addresses biological, social, and economic challenges associated with protecting natural resources and environment. CNR (http://cnr.berkeley.edu) and the Extramural Funds Accounting (http://controller.berekeley.edu/efa) manage funding and accountability for all funded projects.

List of individuals responsible for performing and overseeing the project

Project Supervision: Dr. Gordon Frankie, Principal Investigator Project Team: Lab assistant, Marissa Chase; Bee taxonomist: Jaime Pawelek

Statement describing the status of permit approvals necessary to perform project

N/A

4 D

Fiscal Sponsor: Inquiring Systems, Inc. 101 Brookwood Ave. Ste 204 Santa Rosa, CA 95404 Build-a-beaver Pond

A recent study observed that only 10% of natural ponds have survived our advances in agriculture and city planning. This is alarming because small ponds offer significant benefits, including water purification, toxin filtration, flood and erosion prevention, as well as habitat for endangered species – even absorption of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. One researcher observed that a single pond can trap as much carbon as one car produces in a year.i Increasing urbanization means fewer children will have access to ponds in their daily lives, and less opportunity to learn why they matter. This runs the risk of creating a generation of adults without an appreciation of their contribution.

It is remarkable that as valuable as ponds are, we have been so slow to appreciate the animal who is skilled at creating them. A beaver pond brings with it a boost in macroinveterbrate populations, cooler temperatures for salmonids, and raised water tables stretching in both directions. Recently, one study found that the population of invertebrates increased from only 14 species the year before beaver introduction to 41 just a few months after their arrivalii. Understanding beaver impact above and below the water surface is crucial to recognizing their importance to the ecosystem and the vital role ponds play in landscape health.

This project was designed to help children and their parents understand both.

Build-A-Beaver Pond will provide a fun way for parents and children to learn about the changing wildlife communities developing within a beaver pond. Participants will be the first 100 children attending the 11th annual Beaver Festival in Martinez, CA on June 30th, 2018. The event has a yearly attendance of 1000, with over 40 participating environmental groups. Children will begin the activity by receiving a colored card designed by featured artist Amy Gallaher Hall. It will show a beaver pond from a ‘cross-cut view’ with the the pond floor and the bank in a classic over/under split, empty of wildlife. Using the ‘Build a Bear™ ’ concept so familiar to children, it will be explained that their job is to ‘fill in’ the empty pond by collecting and placing wildlife stickers where they belong.

They will also be given a colorful map that shows where participating booths are located. Each card will have an illustration on the reverse showing how beaver dams help other animals. In addition, various educational signs will be on display at the event to further clarify. At their own pace, children can then move on to other booths where they will ‘earn’ wildlife stickers by demonstrating they understand how beaver behaviors affect the species in question. For example, they might earn a heron sticker by learning/explaining why beaver ponds are frequented by heron.

Participating exhibitors for each of the 15 selected species will be selected for their knowledge of the topic and willingness to participate. They will be considered ‘sponsors’ of the activity and be involved ahead of time in approving artwork for that design and advising on the information distributed. Each child will be given a set of three different stickers for each species – allowing for those with significant metamorphoses (like a tadpole/frog) to be featured in their different states. This means children will need to consider the placement of things like the dragonfly larvae vs the dragonfly. It will be up to each child to decide where to place the stickers on their card, figuring out which species live underwater, which in between and which above. For example there might be a flying heron (which belongs in the sky) and a fishing heron (which belongs standing in the water) thus encouraging children to think more about placement of figures in ‘their’ pond. (The format of these little sticker books means that three will be the vertical half of each page and easily torn out and distributed by the sponsors.) Sticker books will be distributed to sponsors on the morning of the festival by the California Core Watershed Steward Interns, Yerae Seo and Michelle Pond, who will also brief exhibitors on needed concepts.

Each sponsor will receive a species-specific miniature sticker book printed by MOO which allows individual designs at a low price. Stickers will be designed specifically for this activity to coordinate with the emerging chalk art of Amy Gallaher Hall who will be dynamically sketching the same image as appears on their card on the 25 foot square in the plaza the day before and day of the festival. Amy is an award-winning street and graphic artist from Napa with a special interest in beavers. Even though she typically receives 1000 a day for similar commissions, she has agreed to do this two-day piece without fee provided Worth A Dam pays for materials needed. By moving the event to Susana park, the beaver festival can be held along side our actual beavers (who have relocated upstream) with a wonderful space to feature her work, surrounded by benches where folks can gather and observe as the story unfolds before their eyes.

Exhibitors at each booth will wear or display the stickers they represent and participating children will be asked how beavers help that particular species. Using the information provided, children will work out the answers, receiving help if needed. Then the ‘earned’ tokens can be presented so children can affix the all emblems to their card and create their own beaver pond to keep. A work station with volunteers will be available to help them put it all together. Meanwhile, children and parents can observe Amy actually drawing her own “beaver pond” in chalk demonstrating its construction while they work on their own. Children will be encouraged to draw their own illustrations in the plaza margins when they finish the activity, so that by the end of the event attendees will be surrounded by beaver ponds at every level.

Once they are finished, participants will be invited to complete a short survey on what they learned in order to gauge activity effectiveness. We have found that parents enjoy seeing what their children remember, and it’s not uncommon for kids to correct their parents loudly in this activity. (One year, for example, there was an exasperated little girl who argued confidently with her father, “No Dad, beavers don’t eat fish!”) Completed surveys will be raffled for prizes awarded after the festival to assure maximum participation. (We have found a beaver kit puppet makes a great motivator in getting kids eager to complete post quiz!) Results will be analyzed along with sponsor and parent feedback to fine-tune next year’s activity.

Responsible parties: Project oversight and card distribution: Heidi Perryman. Map distribution: Cheryl Reynolds Beaver pond art: Amy Gallaher Hall Sticker delivery and coordination : California Core Watershed Steward Interns Sticker Sponsors: to be appointed from participating exhibits. Post-test administration: Jon Ridler

Project Budget (itemized): The following Expense List outlines costs for the activity. Note that in-kind donated services include: sponsor consultation and participation, Amy Gallaher Hall two day artwork and Worth A Dam volunteer labor, preparation and printing of survey. 15 books of wildlife stickers, each 360 stickers @40.00 600.00 Exhibit location map festival brochure x 500 250.00 4 artist quality 48 Koss soft chalk pastels @ 16.00 ea 64.00 2 pks of children’s 12 soft pastels @ 8.00 ea 16.00 150 X glossy two-sided printed cards 100.00

Total cost for project: 1030.00 Eligibility for Grant Requirements: 0 Working the ecoSystem project meets requirements for 13103(a) by providing a specific curriculum of supervised learning in a unique community setting where children can learn alongside parents and siblings. While they learn about the species to create their own miniature ponds they can see the artist illustrating these animals in front of them and watch the large scale beaver pond mural come to life. As nature unfolds right ‘under their feet’, they will become more personally connected to the story of the watershed and what shapes it. Reminding everyone who sees it will be reminded that the natural world is all around them and affected every day by our choices.

“Build a Beaver pond” teaches children how beavers and their ponds help riparian systems thrive. It allows children to actively understand and combine the contributions of disparate species of fish and wildlife into a holistic ecological framework and gives them practice explaining these relationships in a supportive, playful setting. Knowledgeable non-profits distributing the information/stickers will be:

River Otter Ecology Project Napa RCD San Pablo Bay National Refuge East Bay Regional Parks Oakland Zoo Pond Turtles Mt Diablo Audubon Society South Ban Clean Creeks Delta Science NPS SF Bay Inventory & Monitoring Program Felidae Conservation Fund Water Institute (OAEC) Native Birds Suisun Wildlife Project Coyote Salmon Protection And Watershed Network

Requesting Organization: Worth A Dam is an unincorporated association formed in 2008 to maintain the Martinez beavers in Alhambra Creek. In January 2014, it became a fiscally sponsored project of Inquiring Systems Inc.(ISI), a tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) nonprofit corporation with EIN: 94-2524840. Worth A Dam education and outreach has been instrumental in teaching other cities how and why to live with beavers. It has an annual budget of $5000.00. In addition to holding the yearly festival and providing presentations and training on beavers throughout the year, it maintains an internationally visited website, with daily updates on beaver news and research from around the world. Its members are: Heidi Perryman - President Lory Bruno - Donations Cheryl Reynolds - Vice President Igor Skaredoff - Watershed Jon Ridler - Treasurer Kimberly Robertson - Wildlife Frogard Butler – Art

i Why small ponds have enormous value Swiss Info Ch December 12. 2017. ii Eurasian beaver activity increases water storage, attenuates flow and mitigates diffuse pollution from intensively-managed grasslands, Puttock, A. et al (2017) Science of the Total Environment. E Marine Science Institute Proposal for Funding from Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund Grant

Date: January 3, 2018 To: Maureen Parkes; Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee (FWC) From Primary Contact: Marilou Seiff, Executive Director, [email protected], 650-364-2760 MSI Annual Budget: $1,995,000 Title of Program: 2018 Delta Education Supplies

Project Description: Marine Science Institute (MSI) has provided Delta Discovery Voyages (DDV) for Contra Costa County schools every winter since 2003. The DDV program delivers STEM and environmental education to Contra Costa County 5th grade students with hands-on science curriculum that is aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), aboard our 90-foot research vessel, the Robert G. Brownlee, on the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.

But in the winter of 2016-17 the rains came. And despite the horrible storms, not one school cancelled their DDV program. They all came out on the boat for their Delta science education. The weather took a terrible toll on our supplies. All of our raincoats and some of our life vests were shredded, and our Delta Maps and Fish Identification keys were destroyed.

We are asking the Contra Costa County FWC to help fund the replacement of many of these Delta Discovery Voyage supplies with a grant of $7,739 so the program will carry on in 2018.

MSI's Delta Discovery Voyage Program addresses both education and environmental needs of Contra Costa County. An average of 46% of 5th grade students from the Western and Central Contra County counties served by this project have historically scored below-proficient in science. Their teachers have reported that they are under-supported in acquiring the resources to provide the high-quality science education these students need. MSI fills this need. Delta Discovery Voyages teach science to Contra Costa County students that is SUPER exciting, unique and relevant to the special region in which they live. DDV’s support Contra Costa County teachers by providing curriculum and activities that help them meet the new NGSS that will be in full implementation in the Fall of 2018 in California.

The students this program serves, along with their families, get their water from the Delta, yet know so little about their direct effect on the Delta ecosystem. Most do not know what a watershed is and why it is important to protect it. By educating students at this impressionable age on these issues and what they can do, water quality and supply will improve.

Anticipated outcomes of this program include: The goal for the 2018 Delta Education Supplies project it to replace many of the weather-destroyed supplies that are essential to the full implementation of the Delta Discovery Voyage Program during January and February 2018.

The 2018 Delta Education Supplies Project satisfies the eligibility requirements of Section 13103 (a) of the Fish & Game Code for requesting funding from the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund. It provides supplies for public education that is aligned with CA Common Core and NGSS for public schools, and to the scientific principles of fish and wildlife conservation by using supervised formal instruction carried out with a planned curriculum and aids to education.

MSI agrees to obtain advance written approval from the FWC of any communication/written material that may reasonably be understood to represent the views of the FWC and to provide the FWC with reasonable opportunity to review, comment and approve the communication/written material in advance. MSI also agrees to use the following

Inspiring respect and stewardship for the marine environment through experiential learning 500 DISCOVERY PARKWAY● REDWOOD CITY, CA 94063-4746 ● (650) 364-2760 ● FAX: (650) 364-0416 ● WWW.SFBAYMSI.ORG statement, if funding is granted: “Delta Discovery Voyage Supplies are funded in part by the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee.”

Project Schedule: Completion Date Task Name Description 1/2/2018 Order some supplies Order and purchase those supplies that are most critically needed e.g. all raincoats, some of the life vests that were destroyed, before the first program on 1/9/18. So we can function safely throughout this season. Some of the supplies in this proposal are in terrible shape but can still be used until the new supplies arrive. 1/9 through Show Delta Identify opportunities to discuss the Delta Discovery Program with CCCFWC. 2/28/2018 Discovery Voyage to Opportunities include MSI attending CCCFWC meetings and CCCFWC CCCFWC representatives attending Delta Discovery Voyage programs. 1/9 through (Teach programs) (Students participate in Delta Discovery Voyages. Program Delivery costs are 2/28/2018 not included in this proposal. This is stated so CCCFWC sees MSI’s sequence of events.) 4/28/2018 Purchase remainder Order/purchase remainder of Delta Education supplies that need replacing. of supplies needed 12/31/2018 Report on results Evaluate the outcomes. Create and submit report for CCCFWC.

Project Budget: SUPPLIES TO BE REPLACED Quantity Unit Cost Total Student Raincoats Coleman Industrial 30mm PVC Raincoat 20 $22.29 $445.80 Boss Pvc Raincoat 35 Mil_48 Long 30 $20.69 $620.70 CLC Rain Wear R105M .35 MM PVC Trench Coat 30 $13.95 $418.50 Safety riding slicker-long 20 $29.95 $599.00 Total Raincoat Replacement $2,084.00

Survival Suits Mustang Survival Catalyst Flotation Coat 2 $358.90 $717.80

Life Vests

West Marine Life Jacket_USCG Approval Type III 50 $49.99 $2,499.50

Delta Maps Maps on vinyl poster 2 $110.00 $220.00 Maps on DiBond 3 $104.00 $312.00 Total Map Replacement $532.00

Delta Fish Keys Books 20 $65.00 $1,300.00

Subtotal $7,133.30 Sales Tax = 8.75% $606.33 TOTAL EXPENDITURE $7,739.63

Marine Science Institute ● Inspiring respect and stewardship for the marine environment through experiential learning 500 DISCOVERY PARKWAY● REDWOOD CITY, CA 94063-4746 ● (650) 364-2760 ● FAX: (650) 364-0416 ● WWW.SFBAYMSI.ORG Organization Description: The Marine Science Institute (MSI) is a 501c3 organization founded in 1970. Our mission is to cultivate a responsibility for the natural environment and our human communities through interdisciplinary science education. We provide NGSS- aligned science curriculum and field trips for schools on the San Francisco Bay and CA Delta aboard our 90’ research vessel, the Robert G. Brownlee; at our Discovery Aquarium and shoreline in Redwood City; at locations on the Pacific coast; and within school classrooms using our Mobile Aquarium. All MSI school programs provide students with the opportunity to observe, touch, and discuss live marine animals from the SF Bay, Delta and/or coastal ecosystems while building fundamental knowledge in several scientific disciplines including biology, physics, microbiology, and chemistry.

MSI Board of Directors and Officers: Andrea Aust, Board President; Project Supervisor, KQED Julian Osinski, Board Secretary; Consultant, Photonics Industry James Roberts, Board Treasurer; Financial Consultant, Perceptive Insights Sean M. Caplice, Member at Large; Partner, Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian LLP Norman Chen, Member at Large; Co-Founder/Director DeltaHealth China, Ltd. Victoria Whitehill, Member at Large; Project Manager, Genentech Lisa Becker, Member at Large; Operations Manager, Trace Genomics, Inc.

Funders who provide funding for the Delta Discovery Voyage program are Contra Costa Water Dist, Delta Diablo, Central Contra Costa Sanitary Dist, Mt. View Sanitary Dist, Golden State Water Co, Lesher Fdn, Dow Corp and Andeavor Corp.

Qualifications of Marine Science Institute: Since 1970, MSI has reached over 1.3 million students through programs that build science knowledge, spark curiosity, and inspire stewardship for the local environment. The Delta Discovery Voyage program began in 2003. MSI completed the upgrade of our school curricula to achieve alignment and implementation with NGSS in 2015, three years before the State of CA is requiring full deployment in the 2018-19 school year. In addition, we have held workshops to support training for teachers in their transition to NGSS. All curriculum is presented with strong conservation messages and new habits students can apply to their everyday lives to encourage their personal environmental stewardship behaviors.

Key personnel responsible for Delta Discovery Voyage and qualifications: Marilou Seiff, Executive Director: Marilou has been with the Marine Science Institute since November 1996. She was named Executive Director in 2003. Before MSI, Marilou worked as an Aquatic Biologist at the Pacific Environmental Laboratory, a diver at the Marineland of the Pacific, and a biologist at the California Department of Fish & Game. Marilou holds a B.S. in Biology from Stanford University, and a M.S. in Biology from the University of the Pacific.

Karen Peluso-Galaviz, Ship Program Manager: Karen directs all aspects of the ship- and canoe-based programs including hiring, training and scheduling of all Science Instructors and Marine Educators. She started at MSI as Instructor with the Delta Discovery Voyage program in 2003 and became MSI Ship Program Manager in 2006. Prior to joining MSI, Karen held educator roles with Save the Bay, Don Edwards SF Bay NWR, and the Common Murre Restoration Project. Karen has a B.S. in Biology from Murray State University in KY.

Jackson Gentry, Senior Captain: Jackson captains the Robert G. Brownlee, performs vessel maintenance, trains and oversees the crew on program procedures and safety protocols. Jackson has obtained and maintains licenses or permits in US Coast Guard (USCG) Masters 100GT NC, CA Dept of Fish and Game (DFG) Scientific Collection, CA DFG Commercial Fishing, CA DFG Commercial Fishing Vessel Operator, USCG Marine Safety and Survival Drill Instructor, NorEastern Trawl Advanced Deck and Equipment Skills, and Southern CA Merchant Marine Training Master and Towing Instruction.

Inspiring respect and stewardship for the marine environment through experiential learning.

500 DISCOVERY PARKWAY● REDWOOD CITY, CA 94063-4746 ● (650) 364-2760 ● FAX: (650) 364-0416 ● WWW.SFBAYMSI.ORG F

G 2. Project Description

Imagine a time prior to Contra Costa County being called Contra Costa to when oak savannahs dominated the region. To a time when California red-legged frogs and California tiger salamanders took advantage of prime habitat, such as vernal pools. Yet today, habitat loss and fragmentation means both of these animals are threatened in our area. Today, these animals have made the most of a new niche, seasonal livestock ponds.

Our project is located with East Bay Regional Park District’s Morgan Territory Preserve property (see below map). The Morgan Territory Pond Project Phase 2, focuses on a seasonal pond known to provide breeding habitat for the California red-legged frog (CRLF) and is within California tiger salamander habitat. The existing landscape is annual grasslands with scattered blue oaks. This pond has accumulated significant sediment due to years of not being maintained and upstream erosion issues, which has diminished its effectiveness. The pond has multiple benefits and in order to maintain special status species habitat and provide clean drinking water for livestock, this pond is scheduled for desiltation, road improvements, and gully stabilization activities in 2018, by means of grant and government funding provided by the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District (CCRCD), East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD), and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). A 1,800 foot section of earthen road and a large gully created by uncontrolled runoff from a segment of the access road has contributed to the pond sediment loads (see below picture, with pond in background). The installation of water bars, drainage dips, a culvert replacement, rock checked dams and the relocation of 420 linear feet of the existing road will help direct storm runoff from concentrating and eroding the road and sedimentation of the pond.

The 420 foot section of road realignment involves reshaping the existing inside ditch to be outsloped so the water runoff can drain into a protected swale adjacent to the road to the pond. The swale will be lined with 100% biodegradable erosion control fabric. A mixture of native grasses and flowers will follow immediately after fabric has been staked. A temporary cattle exclusion fence will be installed around roughly 1 acre to deter livestock from walking and grazing the establishing vegetation within the swale area. This proposal for $5,100 is for the native seed mix and fence materials and installation on Morgan Territory Pond Project Phase 2. The fencing type is a 3 strand barbwire fence with t-posts and metal bracing poles (see picture to the left - black trapezoid outlines a portion of the fencing). The fencing is to be installed by professional contractors and needs to be set up for a least one full year. The exclusionary fencing will ensure seedling establishment is successful and actively stabilize and trap any loose soil from construction activities. Once the swale vegetation has reached maturity and is self- sustaining, the fencing will be taken down for aesthetic purposes and to not encourage invasive weed establishment.

The existing funding is primarily for construction purposes. A guaranteed funding source for the swale creation will help bring needed attention and resources to erosion control and water quality methods. This needed component of the project has a direct effect on CRLF breeding habitat of one seasonal livestock pond with connectivity to multiple known special status species breeding ponds.

Benefits of Fish and Wildlife in Contra Costa County

This project will improve special status species habitat by ensuring soil erosion and sedimentation loads are reduced from entering into an existing livestock pond improving water quality, and the breeding and dispersing habitat of the California red-legged frog and California tiger salamander.

Requirements for Fish and Game Code

This project will directly improve fish and wildlife habitat, meeting the requirements of Section 13103(e) of the California Fish and Game Code.

3. Project Schedule

• Buy fencing materials: August 2018 • Buy and plant native seeds: October 2018 • Install Fencing: October/November 2018 The project will be implemented and completed by December 31, 2018.

4. Project Budget

Fencing materials and installation $ 4800.00 Native plant seeding $ 300.00 Total $ 5100.00

5. Annual Budget for CCRCD The Contra Costa Resource Conservation District’s organizational budget for fiscal year 2016-2017 was $1,241,996. Our projected organizational budget for the current fiscal year 2017-2018 is $704,752.

(Note: Budget for FY 2016-2017 was higher than historical average due to a large fish passage barrier construction project)

6. Statement Describing the Applying Organization

Contra Costa Resource Conservation District is a special district of the State located in Concord, CA. CCRCD administers a variety of programs funded by Federal, State and Local agencies. These programs include watershed planning and coordination, farm and rangeland stewardship, environmental education, and habitat restoration. Board Members are: Igor Skaredoff, President; Tom Brumleve, Director; Bob Case, Director; Bethallyn Black, Director; and Walter Pease, Director. Affiliated organizations include: East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Bureau of Reclamation (BOR).

7. Organization Qualifications

The CCRCD has been providing natural resources related assistance for Contra Costa County since 1941. For decades, this special district has played an integral role is protecting all watersheds and their inhabitants within the county. CCRCD has received many awards over the years. In 2016, we received the Outstanding Conservation Planning Partnership Award, for our successful collaboration with Alameda RCD, NRCS Concord and Livermore offices in executing the Wildlife-friendly Livestock Pond Initiate program.

8. Responsible Staff Members

Allison Rofe has worked for the CCRCD since February 2016. She has extensive experience working with ranchers and agency partners in executing rangeland projects through the CCRCD programmatic permitting and NRCS conservation planning process. She holds a BS in Rangeland Resource Science from Humboldt State University and currently working on an MS in Range Management from the University of California, Berkeley. Allison is the project manager for the Morgan Territory Pond Project.

Chris Lim is the Executive Director of the CCRCD and is responsible for project oversight. While new at the district, hired in November 2017, Chris has over 15 years of experience in the environmental field working in, and partnering with, all of its sectors, including nonprofit, public, private, and now special districts. He is focused on the enhancement of our watersheds, through restoration and its connection to people. He has a BA in Integrative Biology with an emphasis in Marine Biology and Oceanography and a minor in Geography from the University of California at Berkeley and a Masters of Nonprofit Administration from the University of San Francisco.

9. Project Permitting

Permitting is not required for fencing installation, but permitting is required with the associated pond project. In order to rehabilitate the pond and conduct road maintenance, a series of permitting has already been completed. Permits approved are a Stream Bed Alteration Agreement, Central Valley Waste Discharge Requirement, and biological programmatic permitting such as the Contra Costa Voluntary Local Program (VLP) and USFWS Biological Appendage (BA). H

Contra Costa County Office Use Only: 2018 Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund Application Cover Page J Project title: MVSD Floating Treatment Wetlands Project - Pilot Study

Organization/Individual applying: Mt. View Sanitary District

(Organization type: please check one- X government, non-profit, for-profit, other (explain)

Address: PO Box 2757, Martinez, CA 94553

Telephone: (925) 228-5635 Fax:

E-mail: [email protected]

Name and title of contact person: Kelly Davidson, District Biologist

One sentence summary of proposal: Project will construct and deploy 15, 4'x10' floating treatment wetlands in Moorflen Marsh to improve water quality and provide refuge and nesting habttat.

Requested grant: $9 120 00 ' .

Proposal prepared by (name & title): Kelly Davidson

Signature (Typing your name does not count as a signature. Ifthis section is empty, your proposal will not be considered):

Signed on

Clear Form MVSD Floating Treatment Wetlands Project - January 2018 - Page I of3

"MVSD Floating Treatment Wetlands Project- Pilot Study" Submitted by: Mt. View Sanitary District (MVSD) January 2018

J. Project Description MVSD's Floating Treatment Wetland Pilot Study will allow for the construction, plant harvesting and installation, and deployment of 15, 4'x10' floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) to remove nutrients while providing refuge and nesting habitat for wildlife in Moorhen Marsh. MVSD is requesting $9,120 in funding for the needed materials for 15, FTW's. FTWs ("aka" floating treatment islands) are constructed devices designed to replicate the water treatment processes that occur in and around natural floating vegetated islands. FTWs are an emerging innovation in green technology that have demonstrated significant potential for wastewater and stormwater treatment (Nichols et al. 2016). Research efforts and pilot installations in the U.S. and elsewhere have shown strong potential for the use of FTWs to remove nutrients and other contaminants. FTW' s have been shown to significantly improve water quality by contributing to treatment through adhesion, filtration, nutrient uptake (both nitrogen and phosphorus) and sequestration through complex microbial communities growing on root masses (Nichols et al. 2016).

FTWs are designed to leverage the natural processes of plants and microbes to improve water quality. These human-made structures can be used to augment water treatment systems while also providing wildlife habitat, especially nesting habitat for songbirds that nest in vegetation and waterfowl that nest on the ground but hidden in vegetation (as compared with many shorebirds that prefer bare ground as nesting habitat). FTWs are often constructed of ABS plastic with metal or plastic mesh baskets and covered with plants that grow roots submerged in water but not anchored in substrate (in other words, they float!). The structures encourage robust microbial activity on plant roots. FTWs can help manage phosphorus, nitrogen, heavy metals, and total suspended solids in both wastewater and stormwater (see graphic below).

Biofilm co•1ers ll'le istand and t.h e ~ant roots

titlCROBES (Bio film)

Mt. View Sanitary District (MVSD) has designed a pilot program to test the effectiveness ofFTWs as both aids in water treatment (nutrient removal) and as habitat for songbirds and waterfowl. A prototype of a floating treatment wetland was developed by The Wildlife Project for MVSD in November 2017. The MVSD Floating Treatment Wetlands Project-Janumy 2018 - Page 2of3 prototype is a 4'x10' ABS plastic structure with 40, 5-gallon bucket sized wire mesh baskets to hold emergent vegetation. MVSD hopes to build a total of 15, FTWs for installation in Moorhen Marsh to help remove nutrients from the constructed wetland while the District's treatment plant biotower is offline for maintenance in early 2018. The biotower functions to remove ammonia from MVSD's wastewater stream.

MVSD will harvest cattails and bulrush plants from Pond B of Moorhen Marsh for incorporation into the FTWs for the pilot study. Pond B will be denuded of vegetation later in the year for Phase B of the Moorhen Marsh Western Pond Turtle Habitat Enhancement Project (Enhancement Project). The plants will be harvested by the California Conservation Corps in late January. The installation of the FTWs will depend on when Ponds C, D, and E come back online once Phase A of the Enhancement Project is completed. Please see http://mvsd.org/wetlands/the-moorhen-marsh-western-pond-turtle-enhancement project/ for more information on the Enhancement Project.

If the pilot study is successful, additional FTWs could be constructed and deployed in Moorhen Marsh as a redundant nutrient removal process for the treatment plant and/or deployed in McNabney Marsh to help control algal blooms - a continuing and costly problem in McNabney Marsh since 2012. Additionally, the increased habitat value for Moorhen Marsh would be welcome because of the (temporary) reduction of plant biomass due to the Enhancement Project. And, as previously reported, improved quantity and quality of nesting habitat in McNabney Marsh is desperately needed since tide gate operations began in 2009. Thus, FTWs may provide solutions for several vexing issues for MVSD including treatment plant redundancy, algae control, and nesting habitat loss. Grant money received would be used solely for the materials and supplies needed to fabricate the 15 FTWs, which is estimated at $608 for each 4'x10' FTW or $9,120. Labor costs to construct the FTWs, plant harvesting, and FTW installation in Moorhen Marsh will be covered by MVSD.

Benefits to Fish and Wildlife FTWs are a useful tool to improve water quality for fish and wildlife. FTWs target excess nutrients which are a primary contributor to algae and weed growth in aquatic systems. Not only can FTWs improve water quality they also provide refuge habitat for birds, macroinvertebrates, and fish, as well as potential nesting habitat for waterfowl and songbirds. The more refuge and nesting habitat offered for wildlife, the more biologically diverse the system will be. Biodiversity is impo1tant for improving a system's overall health.

Section 13703 Eligibility This project is eligible for the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund under item 13103 ( e ): Improvement offish and wildlife habitat, including, but not limited to, construction offish screens, weirs, and ladders; drainage or other watershed improvements; gravel and rock removal or placement; construction ofirrigation and water distribution systems; earthwork and grading,fencing; planting trees and other vegetation management; and removal of barriers to the migration offish and wildlife.

!ants from Pond B

MVSD tests onds for nutrient levels re FTWs installation MVSD Floating Treatment Wetlands Project-January 2018- Page 3 of3

$9,120.00 REQUESTED FUNDING: $9,120.00' Match from MVSD for FTW construction labor: $8,250.00 Match from MVSD for CA Conservation Cor s to harvest lants for FTWs: $6,600.00 Match Total: $14,850.00 ro ·ect com onents: to hold $6,000.00 $810.00 du : $600.00 $480.00 $375.00 $105.00 $750.00 Total Materials and Su lies: $9,120.00 PROJECT TOTAL: $23,970.00

4. Annual Budget for Applying Organization MVSD's operations and maintenance budget for FY 2017/2018 is: $5,925,270.00

5. Description ofApplying Organization, Board ofDirectors, amt Affiliate Organization MVSD is a Special District that collects and treats an average of 1.3 million gallons of wastewater per day for about 18,000 residents and small businesses in Martinez and unincorporated Martinez. MVSD manages the 21-acre freshwater Moorhen Marsh and the 138-acre seasonally tidal McNabney Marsh. The Governing Board of Directors for MVSD is: Brian Danley - President; Stanley Caldwell - Vice President; David Maggi- Director; Gregory Pyka - Director; Elmer "Al" Schaal- Director.

6. Statement of Qual(ficatiom; MVSD has won a number of scientific research, habitat enhancement, and public environmental education grants from agencies such as the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife, CA Department of Fish and Wildlife OSPR, the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee, and the Community Watershed Stewardship Grant Program. MVSD staff is experienced in implementing these projects via effective leadership and cooperative partnerships with multiple agencies, organizations, and businesses.

7. Re!.ponsible /Julil'iduals Kelly Davidson has been MVSD's District Biologist since November 2010. She holds an MS degree in Education from Cal State East Bay, a Graduate Certificate in Wildlife Management from Oregon State University (OSU), and a Master of Natural Resources degree also from OSU.

8. Permits No permits are required for this project.

Literature Cited

Nichols, P., T. Lucke, D. Drapper, and C. Walker. 2016. Performance Evaluation of a Floating Treatment Wetland in an Urban Catchment. Water 8: 244. WORKSHEET Agenda Item #7

Percentage of Total Percentage of Recommended Amount Requested Total Amount Funding Recommended for Subtotals by Region Funding Amount Requested Amount Approval East $41,850.64 40.18% West $12,000.00 11.52% Central $23,672.99 22.73% Countywide $26,631.70 25.57% TOTAL $104,155.33 100.00% East County Requested Recommended Regional Parks Foundation (Mountain Lions) $20,000.00 Regents of UC $8,900.00 CCRCD $5,100.00 RPF - KHOC $4,600.00 Marine Science Institute $3,250.64 TOTAL $41,850.64

West County Requested Recommended

RPF - KHOC $12,000.00

TOTAL $12,000.00 Central County Requested Recommended Worth a Dam $1,030.00

MVSD - interpretive panels $5,634.00

MVSD - floating treatment wetlands $9,120.00

RPF - KHOC $3,400.00

Marine Science Institute $4,488.99 TOTAL $23,672.99 Countywide Requested Recommended CDFW $3,496.70 The Watershed Project $23,135.00 TOTAL $26,631.70 Agenda Item #7 California Fish and Game Code Section 13103. Expenditures from the fish and wildlife propagation fund of any county may be made only for the following purposes:

(a) Public education relating to the scientific principles of fish and wildlife conservation, consisting of supervised formal instruction carried out pursuant to a planned curriculum and aids to education such as literature, audio and video recordings, training models, and nature study facilities. (b) Temporary emergency treatment and care of injured or orphaned wildlife. (c) Temporary treatment and care of wildlife confiscated by the department as evidence. (d) Breeding, raising, purchasing, or releasing fish or wildlife which are to be released upon approval of the department pursuant to Sections 6400 and 6401 onto land or into waters of local, state, or federal agencies or onto land or into waters open to the public. (e) Improvement of fish and wildlife habitat, including, but not limited to, construction of fish screens, weirs, and ladders; drainage or other watershed improvements; gravel and rock removal or placement; construction of irrigation and water distribution systems; earthwork and grading; fencing; planting trees and other vegetation management; and removal of barriers to the migration of fish and wildlife. (f) Construction, maintenance, and operation of public hatchery facilities. (g) Purchase and maintain materials, supplies, or equipment for either the department's ownership and use or the department's use in the normal performance of the department's responsibilities. (h) Predator control actions for the benefit of fish or wildlife following certification in writing by the department that the proposed actions will significantly benefit a particular wildlife species. (i) Scientific fish and wildlife research conducted by institutions of higher learning, qualified researchers, or governmental agencies, if approved by the department. (j) Reasonable administrative costs, excluding the costs of audits required by Section* 13104, for secretarial service, travel, and postage by the county fish and wildlife commission when authorized by the county board of supervisors. For purposes of this subdivision, "reasonable cost" means an amount which does not exceed 3 percent of the average amount received by the fund during the previous three-year period, or three thousand dollars ($3,000) annually, whichever is greater, excluding any funds carried over from a previous fiscal year. (k) Contributions to a secret witness program for the purpose of facilitating enforcement of this code and regulations adopted pursuant to this code. (l) Costs incurred by the district attorney or city attorney in investigating and prosecuting civil and criminal actions for violations of this code, as approved by the department. (m) Other expenditures, approved by the department, for the purpose of protecting, conserving, propagating, and preserving fish and wildlife. A scientific collection permit, if required and issued by the California Department of Fish and * Wildlife, indicates that the project is eligible to receive Fish and Wildlife Propagation funds. California Fish and Game Code Section 711.2. (a) "For purposes of this code, unless the context otherwise requires, "wildlife" means and includes all wild animals, birds, plants, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and related ecological communities, including the habitat upon which the wildlife depends for its continued viability ..."