Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee (FWC) Date: February 17, 2016 Time: 3:00 P.M

Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee (FWC) Date: February 17, 2016 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 January 20, 2016 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 on implementation of actions authorized previously, on correspondence received, and on upcoming meetings of interest to the FWC.

5) Review and accept the final report from East Bay Regional Parks Foundation on their “Contra Costa County Youth Environmental Education Camperships” project.

6) Review and accept the final report from SPAWNERS on their “Teaching Volunteers to Monitor the Aquatic Invertebrates Present in San Pablo Creeks an Indicator of Stream Health” project.

7) Continue to consider the 16 Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund applications submitted by January 6, 2016. Consider making a recommendation to the Internal Operations Committee of the Board of Supervisors on this matter.

8) Determine the agenda for the next meeting. The next regular meeting date is March 16, 2016. Possible agenda items for upcoming meetings include:

• Presentation on problem weeds • Election of Officers - April

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.

Draft Meeting Minutes of the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee on January 20, 2016

1) Introductions. Clark Dawson, Roni Gehlke, Susan Heckly, Derek Jansen, Brett Morris, Daniel Pellegrini and Jeff Skinner attended the meeting. Martha Berthelsen, Kathleen Jennings and Scott Stephan provided advance notice that they would not be able to attend the meeting. Raj Hajela (East Bay Regional Parks Foundation), Nicole Kozicki (California Department of Fish and Wildlife) and Dawn Manley (Lindsay Wildlife Experience) attended the meeting. Maureen Parkes (CCC Department of Conservation and Development) attended as staff.

2) Review/Approve minutes from the December 16, 2015 meeting. The minutes were approved as written.

AYES: Gehlke, Heckly, Jansen, Pellegrini and Skinner NOES: None ABSENT: Berthelsen, Jennings and Stephan ABSTAIN: Dawson

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.

Maureen Parkes updated the FWC on the following items:  Martha Berthelsen, Kathleen Jennings and Scott Stephan provided advance notice that they would not be able to attend the meeting today.  Roni Gehlke and Kathleen Jennings were reappointed to the FWC for another three years by the Board of Supervisors on January 5, 2016.

5) Review and accept the progress report from Earth Team on their “Sustainable Youth Watershed Internships at the Environmental Science Academy, Pinole Valley High School” project. The FWC reviewed and accepted the progress report.

AYES: Dawson, Gehlke, Heckly, Jansen, Pellegrini and Skinner NOES: None ABSENT: Berthelsen, Jennings and Stephan ABSTAIN: None

6) Review and accept the progress report from East Bay Regional Parks Foundation on their “Kids Healthy Outdoor Challenge – Field Trips” project. Raj Hajela, East Bay Regional Parks Foundation, provided a verbal report on the project. The FWC reviewed and accepted the progress report.

AYES: Dawson, Gehlke, Heckly, Jansen, Pellegrini and Skinner NOES: None ABSENT: Berthelsen, Jennings and Stephan ABSTAIN: None

7) Consider the 16 Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund applications submitted by January 6, 2016. As per a memo dated January 18, 2011, one member provided disclosure regarding potential or perceived conflicts of interest. Daniel Pellegrini disclosed that he is on the East Bay Regional Park District Park Advisory Committee, an organization that has a relationship to the East Bay Regional Parks Foundation which had applied for a grant. The grants were reviewed and discussed in detail. A grant applicant, Raj Hajela (East Bay Regional Parks Foundation) was in attendance and contributed additional verbal information in response to the Committee’s questions. The Committee directed staff to contact several of the grant applicants for additional information. The consideration of the grant applications was continued to the February 17, 2016 meeting.

8) Continue to discuss the Wildlife in Your Backyard brochure and consider finalizing text, selecting a distribution method, and recommending that the Board of Supervisors approve expenditure of Fish and Wildlife Propagation funds to print the brochure. The FWC approved the final text and recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve no more than $1,400 to print 5,000 copies of the brochure.

AYES: Dawson, Gehlke, Heckly, Jansen, Pellegrini and Skinner NOES: None ABSENT: Berthelsen, Jennings and Stephan ABSTAIN: None

9) Determine the agenda for the next meeting. The next regular meeting date is February 17, 2016. Possible agenda items for upcoming meetings include:

 Continue to review Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund grant applications.  Presentation on problem weeds

Adjourn

February 10th, 2016

Ms. Maureen Parkes Contra Costa County Fish & Wildlife Committee 30 Muir Road Martinez, CA 94553

Email: [email protected]

Ms. Parkes,

Attached, with appreciation for the Committee’s generous support, is our Final Report on your $10,000 award from April 21st 2015 for Contra Costa County Youth Environmental Education Camperships at the East Bay Regional Park District’s Camp Arroyo residential camp near Livermore.

Participation from Contra Costa County low-income, late-elementary and middle-school schools was active during Spring Semester 2015. Over 300 youth and 35 educators and chaperones representing ten classrooms from 4 schools in the county completed their weeklong stays, and came away with measurably greater awareness-of and concern-for wildlife and habitat resources. At an average subsidy of $114.26/child, the committee’s $10,000 underwrote the participation of 88 low-income young people.

Once again, allow us to express our gratitude for the Committee’s support of this major effort to impart locally-focused environmental education to our county’s kids.

Sincerely,

Carol Johnson Executive Director

/ebf

Final Report on 2015 CCCF&WC award from Regional Parks Fndtn. 4pp 02/10/16 1

Regional Parks Foundation Final Report on The Contra Costa County Fish & Wildlife Propagation Fund 2015 Award For Camp Arroyo Residential Stays – February 10th, 2016

Grant Funding Date: April 21st 2015 Amount: $10,000.

Project Description Summary: Contra Costa County’s wildlife and their habitats will be conserved only if today’s young people have both an awareness of and an affinity for the protection of our environment.

The Camp Arroyo residential environmental education camp seeks to correct ‘Nature Deficit Disorder –‘ the alienation and lack of connection to environmental, wildlife, and open-space resources which is too often seen among today’s young people, and disproportionately among those who are urbanized and disadvantaged.

Camp Arroyo is a collaboration between the Regional Parks Foundation, the East Bay Regional Park District, the YMCA of the East Bay, and other community organizations that serve disadvantaged children and youth. The YMCA of the East Bay, through a special partnership agreement, operates Camp Arroyo year ‘round. The Regional Parks Foundation’s role is to conduct fundraising to facilitate the participation of schools serving low-income kids.

Fourth, 5th, & 6th grade youth and their educators have 3- or 4-day residential visits which feature a curriculum emphasizing hands-on introductory lessons in sustainability, ecosystems, wildlife, conservation, and related experiences, meant to build engagement with nature and the outdoors. The 138- acre facility adjoins Del Valle Regional Park outside of Livermore, and has a residential capacity of 144. Among other recognitions, Camp Arroyo is a 2005 Governor’s Environmental & Economic Leadership Award winner for Children’s Environmental Education, and a 2003 Excellence in Green Design Award winner from the American Institute of Architects (San Francisco Chapter). The curriculum also helps participating East Bay schools to meet their California State environmental education requirements.

Camp Arroyo’s approach aligns squarely with Section a) 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.”

Project Activities to Date:

Final Report on 2015 CCCF&WC award from Regional Parks Fndtn. 4pp 02/10/16 2

Three hundred three students and 35 teachers and volunteer chaperones from 4 Contra Costa County public schools serving mainly under-resourced constituencies attended Camp Arroyo during Spring Semester, 2015.

Kindly note that 4 invoices – one for each participating school -- are attached from YMCA of the East Bay for these groups, totaling $40,000. The Regional Parks Foundation has secured funding from several corporate, private charitable, and government funders to collectively help meet this sum.

We’ve presented all of the participating schools in order to demonstrate that there’s been participation from across the county. What we request is that the Committee reimburse $10,000 of these combined invoices, and the remaining $30,000 will be met by other funders such as Chevron, Tesoro, the Lowell Berry Foundation, Wells Fargo Foundation, and others.

Contra Costa County Schools’ Camp Arroyo residential stays – Spring Semester 2015 SCHOOL (CITY) ATTENDANCE #STUDENTS COST DATES (CHAPERONES) (INVOICE#) Rio Vista (Bay Point) February 17-20 83 (8) $9,000 (CA2015003)

Bel Aire (Bay Point) February 25-27 46 (5) $7,500 CA20150103 Meadow Homes March 16-20 106 (14) $14,500 (Concord) (CA2015030) Tara Hills (San Pablo) April 15-17 68 (8) $9,000 CA201500093 TOTAL: 4 February 17th 303 (35) $40,000 SCHOOLS (3 thru April 17th CITIES)

A combination of knowledge-based and opinion-related surveys and quizzes administered to students, along with evaluations obtained from teachers, chaperones, and Camp Arroyo staff, help stakeholders to evaluate the program’s effectiveness. Details of evaluations of different schools are available upon request, but overall the results consistently indicate significant increases in both knowledge and interest regarding wildlife and habitat resources and their conservation.

Future Direction of the Camp Arroyo Program:

Participation among Contra Costa County schools continues to be active; classes from all of the previously-mentioned schools as well as several others either have or will attend Camp Arroyo during the current School Year 2015-2016. Thanks to supporters like the Contra Costa County Fish & Wildlife Propagation Fund, the effective, collaborative program will continue building concern for the conservation of wildlife resources among the future citizens of Contra Costa County.

Final Report on 2015 CCCF&WC award from Regional Parks Fndtn. 4pp 02/10/16 3

Closing Summary:

The Regional Parks Foundation recognizes with gratitude the consistent support of the Contra Costa Fish & Wildlife Propagation Fund Committee. Your support has helped to make possible the participation of hundreds of young people who are genuinely moved by and concerned over the county’s fish & wildlife and their habitats. In an era when an environmentally aware and engaged citizenry is only going to become more critical to the continued survival of such resources, we value our partnership and the impact which it is having. Thanks again!

  

Final Report on 2015 CCCF&WC award from Regional Parks Fndtn. 4pp 02/10/16 4

San Pablo Watershed Neighbors’ Education and Restoration Society www.spawners.org

February 11, 2016

Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development 30 Muir Rd. Martinez, CA 94553

Dear members of the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee,

During the 2014-2015 grant cycle, the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee generously awarded SPAWNERS $5,602 to monitor water quality parameters and benthic macroinvertebrates at four sites on San Pablo Creek and tributaries. Due to delays in permitting, we could not begin our project until February 2015, and we are very grateful to the Fish and Wildlife Committee for allowing us to subsequently extend our project’s end date. Over the last year, we have collected important data on the bug communites in our creeks. We have also been able to outreach and educate community members about creek health and what we can do to improve the health of our streams. The SPAWNERS staff and Steering Committee thank the CCC Fish and Wildlife Committee for your continued support. We are very appreciative to have been able to conduct this project, which will bring important benefits to wildlife and the local community. Please see the following page to read the final report.

Sincerely, Helen Dickson Program Coordinator SPAWNERS

1327 South 46th Street, 155 Richmond Field Station, Richmond, CA 94804. Phone: (510) 665-3538 Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund Final Report 2014-2016

Project Title: Teaching Volunteers to Monitor the Aquatic Invertebrates Present in San Pablo Creek as an Indicator of Stream Health Organization: San Pablo Watershed Neighbors Education and Restoration Society (SPAWNERS) Organization type: Fiscally sponsored by The Watershed Project Address: 1327 South 46th Street #155 Richmond, CA, 94804 Telephone: 510-665-3538 Email: [email protected] Name/title of contact person: Helen Dickson, Program Coordinator

Thanks to generous funding from the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee, SPAWNERS purchased supplies and led monthly volunteer events to survey four sites on San Pablo Creek and its tributaries for benthic macroinvertebrates. Specifically, we purchased a field microscope, nets, glass vials, forceps, a bug identification guide, and a Scientific Collection Permit to carry out the events. The permit took 8 months to be processed, which delayed the starting of the project, and we are very grateful to the Fish and Wildlife Committee for allowing us to extend the end date of our project to compensate. Over the last year, we held 12 events where we worked with 34 volunteers (both community members and students) for a total of 81 volunteer hours. Volunteers were taught the hands-on creek survey method, which is based on the protocol developed by the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation and currently used by Friends of Sausal Creek in Alameda County. Volunteers participated in counting, identifying, and assigning tolerance values to the bugs, using the Sierra Streams Institute’s “Bug Book” and associated identification guides. We then discussed our findings, how the findings related to the health of the creek, and what communities can do to improve creek health. We found that the diversity of bugs at our sites is low; one or two kinds of bugs tend to dominate the creek bed, and those bugs are fairly tolerant to pollution. In fact, we didn’t find any bugs that are sensitive to pollution, indicating that those bugs can’t survive at our sites. By looking at water quality data collected at these same sites over the last six years, we see high levels of nutrients and conductivity. These findings, taken together with the bug population data, indicate a possible cause and effect: high levels of charged particles in the water, including nitrates and phosphates, may be contributing to conditions that the more sensitive bugs can’t withstand. We are publishing a report in our March newsletter detailing our findings and what community members can do to improve creek conditions (included below), and we hope to continue this program in the coming year.

Thank you for your support of our watershed protection program!

Accounting

Initial disbursement of $2,801 went toward the following (highlighted yellow):

Indirect Expenses Task Description: Who Hourly Wage Hours Cost Obtain CDFW permit Helen $ 18.00 10 $ 180.00 Prepare monitoring kit Helen $ 18.00 50 $ 900.00 Prepare protocol for volunteers Helen $ 18.00 10 $ 180.00 Analyze and summarize $ data after each event Helen $ 18.00 120 2,160.00 Create community reports. Consists of writing 12 short monthly updates and one final report with analysis. Helen $ 18.00 24 $ 432.00 Create education materials based on results and present at SPAWNERS events, on web site, and in Courtney person. and Helen $ 21.00 35 $ 735.00 Total Indirect Expenses = $4,587. 00

Direct Expenses Items Costs Supplies to build monitoring kit $ 580.00 CDFW permit $ 405.00 Mileage to pick up supplies (Helen) $ 30.00 Total Direct Expenses = $1,015.00

The remainder of the funds will go towards the non-highlighted cells. Please see invoices and receipts for details. March 2016 SPAWNERS San Pablo Watershed Neighbors Education and Restoration Society Life in our Creeks

What do Simuliids, Baetids, and Zygopterans have in What we’ve found: common? They’re all found in our creeks! Many bugs that we think of as “terrestrial” have juvenile life stages that spend Diversity is low. We mainly see just a few different bugs, many months living in the creek. which dominate the sites. Generally a higher diversity indicates a healthier creek, because there are many different For the past year, SPAWNERS’ Water Bug Team has been habitats that support many different bugs. Our site on San surveying benthic macroinvertebrates (spineless bugs that live Pablo Creek, behind the El Sobrante Library, only has two at the bottom of the creek) to learn more about the health of kinds of bugs: mayflies and black flies. Appian Creek, a small San Pablo Creek and its tributaries. tributary, has a higher diversity of bugs.

While measuring water quality parameters also tells us about creek health, it only shows us the brief minute in time when we collect the water sample (typically once a month). However, by learning what bugs are living in the creek, we are able to see a longer view: if we find healthy populations of bugs that need very clean water like mayflies, stoneflies, or caddisflies, that means that the water quality in the creek must have been good for quite a while.

Taken together, the precise measurements of water chemistry and the big picture of bug populations can tell us a lot about Tolerance is high. Different bugs have different levels of our creeks! tolerance to pollution. What we find in the creeks are bugs that can tolerate at least a moderate level of pollution, which indicates that the bugs that are sensitive to pollution don’t survive at our sites.

The bug we find with the lowest tolerance level is the small minnow mayfly, which has a tolerance value of 4 on a scale from 0 (no tolerance to pollution) to 10 (high tolerance). We also see a lot of damselflies, which have a tolerance value of 9.

Helen Dickson works with De Anza High School graduate Crystal Valdez to sort a sample of bugs taken from Wilkie Creek. Mayfly Damselfly

SPAWNERS gets fiscal sponsorship from The Watershed Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Visit us on the web: www.spawners.org Calendar of Events

Public Speaker Series: Trout in the Classroom Tuesday, April 5, 7-9pm El Sobrante Library Community Meeting Room 4191 Appian Way, El Sobrante

Bob Flasher and Ethan Rotman will tell us about Trout in the Classroom, the program that’s connecting students to their watersheds. We’ll also learn all about trout life cycle and habitat, and play some games. You won’t want to miss this unusual and interactive event!

Helen Dickson surveys Appian Creek with a student from Community Work Party Richmond High School’s Earth Team. Saturday, March 12, 9:30 am-noon El Sobrante Library What can we do to help? 4191 Appian Way, El Sobrante When we measure water quality parameters in San Pablo Creek and its tributaries, we consistently find high levels of Help us take care of one of our native plant restoration nutrients and conductivity, both of which aren’t healthy for sites! People with all levels of experience are welcome. creek critters. These findings, taken together with the bug Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please population data, indicate a possible cause and effect: high wear sturdy shoes, comfortable work clothes, and levels of charged particles in the water, including nitrates and bring a water bottle. SPAWNERS will supply tools, phosphates, may be contributing to conditions that make life gloves, and snacks. untenable for the more sensitive bug taxa. If you’re bringing a group of four or more, please Here are some ways you can help protect the creek: RSVP to [email protected]. 1. Pick up after your pets, and maintain septic tanks. Water Bug Team - Human and animal waste contains a lot of nutrients like Saturday, April 2, 9:30am-noon nitrate and phosphate. Wilkie Creek site 2. Go to car washes that treat their soapy runoff, and never De Anza Drive and Santa Rita Way, El Sobrante discharge water from your washing machine directly to the gutter (which drains to the creek). Join us for this family-friendly event as we look for - Detergents can contain phosphates. bugs in Wilkie Creek, a tributary of San Pablo Creek. Please RSVP to [email protected] to 3. Try not to over-fertilize plants, especially before a rain reserve a spot. storm. - The rain will take the nutrients you meant for your plants and deliver them to the creek!

4. Come join Water Bug Team! Our next event is April 2 (see Helpful numbers: side panel for more information). Broken hydrant or flooding in the street: 1-866-40-EBMUD Debris dumped in the creek: 1-800-No-Dumping For more information, please visit our website: www.spawners.org/water-quality-monitoring.

Funding for SPAWNERS activities is provided by the Contra Costa Fish & Wildlife Committee, the Community Watershed Stewardship Grant Program, The Rose Foundation, The Strong Foundation, The Jiji Foundation, and generous donations from our mbersme and volunteers. Thank you! Consider with KIDS for the BAY Application - B

KIDS for the BAY Additional Information for the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund

KIDS for the BAY (KftB) is requesting a $5,000 grant from the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund to support our Watershed Action Program (WAP) for eight classes in low-income Richmond elementary schools in Contra Costa County.

Funding Priorities

Our priorities for grant funding are:  Our Field Trips to bay, delta, and creek habitats; and  Our service-learning Environmental Action Projects, which help to protect and restore the local watershed.

Examples of Field Trip locations include Wildcat Creek in Alvarado Park, Keller Beach in Point Richmond, Brannan Island in Antioch, and Baxter Creek in Richmond. Students will use the water quality testing equipment listed in the budget below in creek, delta, or bay habitats on Field Trips and during Environmental Action Projects. Using the testing equipment, students will measure pH levels, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and turbidity to determine the health of their local body of water. This process gives students the opportunity to connect with their local watershed, assess watershed health, and learn scientific skills. It has been found that the use of the proposed scientific equipment (Vernier LabQuest equipment) increases science testing scores. The wildlife of Contra Costa County will also benefit from students performing water quality testing. Students will be inspired by their findings to restore the health of their local watershed through actions including planting native plants, picking up trash, and stenciling community storm drains with the message “No Dumping; Drains to Bay.”

Project Budget

The Project Budget for the Richmond Schools WAP is $79,750 for each school year. The $5,000 grant from Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund will be a part of that budget, and the funds will be spent on the following items:

Venier Water Quality Testing Educational Equipment LabQuest2 (1) $329 Temperature probe (3) $117 Dissolved Oxygen probe (1) $209 pH probe (1) $79 Turbidity sensor (1) $112 Turbidity tube (1) $47.94 Estimated shipping costs $106.06 Educational Equipment Total $1,000

Postage/Telephone $300

Printing and Copying Consider with KIDS for the BAY Application - B

Curriculum guides for partner teachers (8) $128 Educational posters (5) $105 Classroom Lesson worksheets $267 Printing and Copying Total $500

Field Trip Transportation Costs for Students 4 school buses (~$750 per bus) $3,000

Office Supplies $200

Total Project Budget $5,000 Consider with SPAWNERS Application - C

3. & 4. SPAWNERS Project Schedule and Budget 2016-2017 Project Schedule Task Timeline Responsible Party Water Quality Monitoring Program Renew contract with water quality intern or hire new intern by August 2016 program coordinator Pay first intern stipend installment by August 2016 program coordinator Test water quality (measuring 7 parameters) at 4 creek sites once a month water quality intern Track data once a month water quality intern Analyze and summarize data for midterm report by February 2017 water quality intern Write a midterm report about results by February 2017 water quality intern Write an article about results to be published in our newsletter by February 2017 water quality intern Pay second intern stipend installment by February 2017 program coordinator Update website: 1) results and 2) tips to improve water quality by July 2017 water quality intern Analyze and summarize data for final report by July 2017 water quality intern Write a final report about the results by July 2017 water quality intern Pay third intern stipend installment by July 2017 program coordinator Purchase additional supplies listed in budget as needed water quality intern Benthic Macroinvertebrate Monitoring Program Survey BMIs at one of four creek sites Once a month program coordinator Track data One a month program coordinator Analyze and summarize data by July 2017 program coordinator Update website: 1) results and 2) tips to improve water quality by July 2017 program coordinator Write a report about results to be published in our newsletter by July 2017 program coordinator Purchase additional supplies listed in budget as needed program coordinator Project Budget Direct Expenses* Cost Water Quality Monitoring Program Oxygen ampules $100 Benthic Macroinvertebrate Monitoring Program Microscope $300 Cone net $100 Featherweight forceps $50 Total Direct Expenses $550

Indirect Expenses Hourly Wage Hours Cost Water Quality Intern Annual stipend N/A N/A $1,500 Program Coordinator, BMI Program Implement 12 BMI outreach events $21 36 $756 Analyze and summarize data after each event $21 24 $504 Create community report at the end of the year $21 8 $168 Total Indirect Expenses $2,928

Total Indirect and Direct Expenses $3,478 10% revenue fee paid to fiscal sponsor $348

Total Amount Requested $3,826 * Includes estimated shipping and handling costs Consider with MVSD-MDAS Application - D

From: Kelly Davidson Chou [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2016 4:32 PM To: Maureen Parkes Cc: [email protected] Subject: RE: Fish & Wildlife Propagation Fund Grant Application - Request for More Information

Hi Maureen

Here are the answers to the questions the FWC asked. Please let me know that you received this email. – Kelly

· Please provide a design for the rafts. I have attached several photos of the rafts we built in 2015. We are building the same rafts in 2016. Some of the photos do not show additional hardware, poles, turf, sand and gravel. Please let me know if this is adequate for the FWC.

· If the FWC does not recommend funding, will you still have the other match funding for the project? The $500 from MDAS and the $2,500 from CA Audubon is secured. Materials for the project are approximately $12,000.

· If the FWC were to recommend funding for fewer rafts, would the staffing cost change? Not likely. We have already began organizing the community partnership aspect of this project with volunteers from MDAS and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Natural Resources Volunteers. Organizing and supervising these community volunteer projects is labor intensive (see photos). However, we are not asking for any funds for labor. MVSD is paying for all associated labor. We are only asking for funding for 50% of the materials (or four, 4’x10’ rafts).

· Why isn’t MVSD in charge of the tide gates? MVSD does not own or operate the tide gates which are located on EcoServices property. EcoServices operates and maintains the gates to meet the requirements mandated by the Regional Water Board (under their 401 permit) to operate the gates to maximize the pickleweed plantings in their 22-acre mitigation marsh. Actual ownership of the tide gates is in dispute. EcoServices, as part of their mitigation of legacy copper and zinc in Peyton Slough reconstructed the tide gates at their current location, based on the design of a tide gate structure constructed by CC Mosquito and Vector Control District (CCMVCD). EcoServices believed that the ownership of the tide gates would remain with CCMVCD even though they were required to operate them. CCMVCD claims no ownership and no longer actively participates in the Peyton Slough Wetlands Advisory Committee. Staff from the Regional Water Board have indicated an opinion that EcoServices owns the gates. Prior tide gate structures on Peyton Slough were owned and operated by CCMVCD. EcoServices tries to cooperate with MVSD to avoid drowning nests, eggs and chicks in the marsh (they try to fulfil our requests when we ask them to close or open the tide gates to manipulate water levels for such things as nesting bird protection, algae control, odor control, and flood protection) when such operation does not impact their mitigation marsh. But, conflicts between EcoServices needs and MVSD’s needs are not uncommon. MVSD’s rate payers are shouldering the burdens of the many unanticipated impacts of tide gate operations by EcoServices. By looking for outside funding sources for some of these projects designed to mitigate impacts from tide gate operations, we are trying to offset some of this burden to our rate payers – even if it is just a little bit of that burden. Consider with MVSD-MDAS Application - D

If the FWC would like me to attend the February meeting to answer additional questions in person, I can likely make that fit into my schedule. Please let me know.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide more information on this important project to protect migratory nesting birds in McNabney Marsh. - Kelly

Kelly Davidson District Biologist Mt. View Sanitary District 925-228-5635 x19

From: Maureen Parkes [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2016 1:14 PM To: Kelly Davidson Chou Cc: [email protected] Subject: Fish & Wildlife Propagation Fund Grant Application - Request for More Information

Dear Kelly: The Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee (FWC) reviewed the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund grant applications on January 20th.

The FWC reviewed your application for the McNabney Marsh Nesting Raft project and would like to get some additional information. The Committee’s requests are noted below:

· Please provide a design for the rafts. · If the FWC does not recommend funding, will you still have the other match funding for the project? · If the FWC were to recommend funding for fewer rafts, would the staffing cost change? · Why isn’t MVSD in charge of the tide gates?

The FWC will likely make their recommendations for grant funding at their February 17, 2016 meeting. In order for the requested information to be included in their packet, please send to me by Tuesday, February 9th.

Please give me a call at 925-674-7831 if you have any questions or need clarification on the FWC’s request.

Thanks, Maureen

------Maureen Parkes Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development 30 Muir Road Martinez, CA 94553

Phone: 925-674-7831 Consider with MVSD-MDAS Application - D Consider with MVSD-MDAS Application - D Consider with MVSD-MDAS Application - D Consider with MVSD-MDAS Application - D Consider with MVSD-MDAS Application - D Consider with Lindsay Wildlife Experience Application - G

From: Maureen Parkes To: Lizzie Coyle ([email protected]) Subject: Fish & Wildlife Propagation Fund Grant Application - Request for More Information Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2016 1:28:00 PM

Dear Ms. Coyle: The Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee (FWC) reviewed your application for the Investing in Wildlife project on January 20th. They would like to know if they were to recommend funding of one of the items in your grant funding request, which item would you prefer it to be?

Please give me a call at 925-674-7831 if you have any questions or need clarification on the FWC’s request.

Thanks, Maureen

------Maureen Parkes Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development 30 Muir Road Martinez, CA 94553

Phone: 925-674-7831

Consider with Lindsay Wildlife Experience Application - G Consider with Lindsay Wildlife Experience Application - G Consider with Lindsay Wildlife Experience Application - G

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY 2016 FISH AND WILDLIFE PROPAGATION FUND APPLICATION February 4, 2016

Investing in Wildlife Rehabilitation

Lindsay Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital, recognized by The New York Times Magazine (nytimes.com/2015/08/16/magazine/rescuing-wildlife-is-futile-and-necessary.html) as the oldest facility in the country, is a model for wildlife centers worldwide. Since January 2015, we treated 5,611 native wild animals, 80% of which were found in Contra Costa County, through nearly $1,000,000 worth of veterinarian and rehabilitation services for animals at no charge to the rescuers each year.

Approximately 45% of the animals we see survive and of those, we were able to release more than 80% of the animals treated last year after rehabilitation. Our goal is to provide the best medical and husbandry care within our resources to regional wild animals in need, as well as release wildlife back to their environment, able to thrive and survive. Lindsay’s hospital staff includes a full-time Director of Veterinary Services, hospital manager, three full-time, year-round veterinary technicians, and additional seasonal support staff. Approximately 300 volunteers donate 50,000 hours of service in the hospital each year, and among them, specially trained volunteers provide offsite care for animals at their homes. Hospital staff and volunteers collect valuable data about incoming patients throughout the year and collaborate with research institutions, including NextEra Energy and International Bird Rescue. Veterinary staff also participate in several conferences and seminars, including the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association conference, sharing best practices in wildlife rehabilitation and notes on emerging trends in wildlife disease.

In addition to wildlife rehabilitation, Lindsay’s hospital supports educational programs at Lindsay to promote environmental stewardship. Last year, more than 98% of the animals treated at Lindsay’s hospital were admitted due to adverse contact with human activity. Some of these threats include altercations with domestic pets, poisoning from rodenticide, and other human-animal interactions. After an animal is admitted to care, the public can follow the progress of the animal and learn how to mitigate hazards to wildlife and native habitat.

Our hospital provides a crucial service to the community and meets the goals of Section 13103 (sections a and b) by providing temporary emergency treatment and care of injured or orphaned wildlife in the area, and educating the general public about wildlife conservation. However, due to the specialized nature of our services, we rely on the generosity of donors to maintain the necessary supplies and equipment on-hand to treat the many animals that come through our doors. Lindsay Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital requests $7,567.51 in grant funding to purchase a gas sterilizer.

The purchase of a gas sterilizer would help create greater efficiencies in the wildlife hospital, and allow us to treat patients using fewer resources. This is our top equipment purchase priority. We currently outsource the sterilization of surgical equipment to Sacramento Zoo. Lindsay staff drive safety equipment more than an hour away to sterilize our inventory. This process is lengthy and expensive. While waiting to take items to be sterilized at the zoo, hospital staff must rely on backup tools and equipment, forcing us to keep more of these items on-hand at any given time.

A gas sterilizer and refills would lengthen the life of our surgical tools and sterilize pieces of equipment that would be damaged by chemical or heat sterilization methods. Sterilization aids in disease control by cleaning safety equipment used on animals that may be contagious with viral or parasitic diseases, such as distemper, pox, or giardia. The sterilizer would help us create more effective sanitation practices for our tools. Included in the request amount is the labor to install this equipment safely in our surgical trailer compliant with OSHA requirements.

Project schedule

Equipment requested for the surgical suite would be ordered as soon as the grant is approved, with a target installation date on or before May 31, 2016.

Lindsay Wildlife Experience 1931 First Avenue Walnut Creek California 94597 Phone 925-935-1978 www.lindsaywildlife.org

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Gas Sterilizer Purchase Budget Detail

Description Price Anprolene® Sterilizer 13x13x30, Installation Kit, Anprolene Refill Kit $6,567.51 14 Lg ampoules, required modules and accessories. Tax, shipping, and handling. On-site installation labor and supplies $1,000.00 Total Project Request Amount $7,567.51

Lindsay Wildlife Experience Total Operating Budget: $2,600,000

About Lindsay Wildlife Experience Founded in 1955, the mission of the Lindsay Wildlife Experience is to connect people with wildlife to inspire respect and responsibility for the world we share. Through our changing natural history exhibits, animal rehabilitation hospital, live collection of non-releasable native California wildlife, and education and community outreach programs, we provide a portal to the natural world for children and adults.

Senior Staff Cheryl McCormick, Executive Director Melissa Strongman, Director of Education Guthrum Purdim DVM, Director of Veterinary Services Lizzie Coyle, Director of Development

Board of Directors

Gabe Togneri, President – Retired PG&E Nan Hudson – Lindsay Alliance Marilyn Fowler, Vice President – Retired CCC Probation Dept. Marc Kaplan – Marc Paul, Inc. Dave Shunick, Treasurer – Retired Abbott Laboratories Matt Lawson – Price Waterhouse Coopers Julie Ross, Secretary – PR Consultant James A. Pezzaglia – James Pezzaglia, Inc. Charlie Abrams – Abrams Associates Kevin Schwartz – Mechanics Bank Holly Armstrong – Armstrong, Craver & Associates Rosanne Siino – Strategic Consultant Stewart Bailey – Technology Integration Group Michael Stead – Stead Motors Mark E. Brown – Merrill Lynch Martha Strock – Lindsay Docent Council Barney Howard – Retired teacher Nan Walz – Design Concepts

Lindsay Wildlife Experience Qualifications and Staff Our hospital was founded in 1970, and since then has grown to treat and rehabilitate over 5,600 wild animals every year. Our wildlife hospital receives support from more than 300 volunteers, interns, and part-time staff members.

Our key hospital staff includes: Dr. Guthrum Purdin, DVM – Director of Veterinary Services Dr. Purdin graduated from the University of California, Davis in 2009 with a DVM. He is currently on the board of directors of Wildlife Care Association in Sacramento and is a relief veterinarian for International Bird Rescue in Fairfield.

Eugenie Riberi – Hospital Manager Eugenie first began her career in wildlife rehabilitation as an animal husbandry volunteer at Lindsay, caring for the live collection of mammals and birds. After training in raptor handling and completing two internships at the wildlife hospital, she has also cared for the resident hawks and owls and undergone more than 900 hours of full-time training.

Permit Status: Lindsay Wildlife Experience currently holds all state and federal permits required to rehabilitate wildlife.

Lindsay Wildlife Experience 1931 First Avenue Walnut Creek California 94597 Phone 925-935-1978 www.lindsaywildlife.org

Consider with Nomad Ecology, LLC Application - L Consider with Urban Tilth Application - M

From: Maureen Parkes To: [email protected]; "Adele Ho" Subject: Fish & Wildlife Propagation Fund Grant Application - Request for More Information Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2016 1:56:00 PM

Dear Ms. Robinson and Ms. Ho: The Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee (FWC) reviewed your application for the ‘Basins of Relations’ program on January 20th. The Committee has a few requests/questions regarding your grant application. Please see below:

· If the FWC recommends funding for the non-personnel expenses only, will you have other funding for personnel expenses?

· Itemize all non-personnel expenses.

· Provide more detail on the projects.

· Provide a schedule of the events.

· Provide locations for clean-up plans.

Please give me a call at 925-674-7831 if you have any questions or need clarification on the FWC’s request.

Thank you, Maureen

------Maureen Parkes Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development 30 Muir Road Martinez, CA 94553

Phone: 925-674-7831

Consider with Urban Tilth Application - M URBAN TILTH 31 Maine Ave Growing a foodshed in west Ric hmond, C A 94804 Contra Costa County to create a healthier, more sustainable, and T 510.778.5886 more just local food system [email protected]

a 501(c) (3) non-profit www.urbantilth.org #20-4124161

February 8, 2016

Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee c/o Maureen Parkes Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development 30 Muir Road Martinez, CA 94553

Subject: Urban Tilth application for funding for the Basins of Relations program

Dear Ms. Parkes:

The following information is provided in response to questions the Committee had regarding our application for funding.

1) We understand from you that the Committee does not fund personnel expenses. Since our original application included augmenting the existing program by increasing the number of hours and rate of pay for the program leaders and apprentices, we would simply maintain their hours and rate of pay at the current figures.

2) Our revised application, excluding any personnel expenses, would thus be for the following:

Subtota Total Non-personnel Expenses l cost Van plus insurance $5,000 Van maintenance (van is primarily used for Basins of Relations program) $2,000 Insurance $3,000 Transportation costs (mileage, gas) $3,200 Van estimated 400 miles/mo, 12 mpg, $3/gal = $100/mo $1,200 Mileage / personal vehicle (manager & supervisor), estimated 300 mi/mo @ 54¢/mi $2,000 Equipment & Supplies $4,975 Tools (shovels, hand picks, trowels, wheelbarrows, weed wrenches) $1,000 Nursery supplies (Erosion control fabric, soil, seeds, containers) $2,975 Consider with Urban Tilth Application - M

Hard hats, Gloves, Safety goggles, Crew T-shirts $1,000 Storage shed for tools and supplies, @ $200/mo $2,400 Education, Community Events and Outreach $5,000 Classroom space rental $2,000 Canopies, tables, and food for Community Events $3,000 Total $18,175

Since most apprentices do not have a form of transportation other than walking, transportation to the various work sites has been challenging. We have now acquired a van for crew transport, but need funding for proper maintenance. The van is helping to allow for a more productive work day.

We have included costs associated with the community events hosted and led by the apprentices. These events include volunteer cleanups, and outdoor education and appreciation days.

3) Projects, locations and schedule are as follows:

Vegetation Management - Lower Wildcat and San Pablo Creeks, North Richmond. Sites are selected by the Contra Costa County Flood Control District for removal of invasive species and replanting with native plants. Work is scheduled on an as-needed basis, typically at least several days of each month that access is possible.

Erosion Control/Soil Bioengineering – Upper Wildcat Creek, Tilden and Wildcat Regional Parks. Sites are selected by the East Bay Regional Parks District for installation of creekside and trail erosion control measures. This work is critical to reduce sediment entering the creek and preserve native fisheries habitat. Work is scheduled on an as-needed basis, typically at least several days of each month that access is possible.

These hands-on projects give the apprentices an opportunity to apply what they've learned during the educational units through restorative projects in the watersheds in which they live. Most of the apprentices live in North Richmond; working at Wildcat Creek is very much like working in their backyard. This wonderful habitat has been neglected, dumped upon, and invaded by non-native species. Though unfortunate, this gives the apprentice crew a chance to have a tangible impact on a riparian habitat very close to their homes. Working in Wildcat Canyon (upper Wildcat Creek Watershed) gives us an opportunity to restore and experience a different but no less important part of the watershed; this helps us to emphasize the 'whole watershed' approach to environmental stewardship.

Dropbox (Team Tilth):TEAM TILTH NRF:TEAM TILTH Watershed Restoration:Contra Costa County 2016 Fish & Wildlife Grant application:Contra Costa Fish & Wildlife revised application 2016 (1).docx Consider with Urban Tilth Application - M

Community Outreach / Volunteer Events - The apprentices also host volunteer events, open to community members, at Lower Wildcat Creek in North Richmond on the 1st Sunday of each month. Other community engagement events, including healing hikes, bike rides, paddleboating trips, photojournalism tours, and general outdoor appreciation days, are typically scheduled on the 3rd weekend of every month, with the exact date and time based upon the availability of our partner organizations. These events, and the leading of the events by the apprentices, extends the impact of the program into the community beyond

We appreciate the opportunity to provide this information to you. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions.

Sincerely,

Doria Robinson Executive Director

Response from The Gardens at Heather Farm re: Watershed & Wildlife Proposal February 2016

How is this project different from existing programs?

The Watershed & Wildlife program will address a target audience that is widely unaddressed by current programs middle school students. In addition to upper elementary schooler who are gaining a greater awareness of their place and power in the world, middle school students can take the project a step further with their more detailed understanding of scientific concepts and the impact of human behavior. The topics of watersheds and ecosystems fit perfectly within the sixth grade Earth Science curriculum.

Watershed & Wildlife will stimulate students to become active participants in maintaining a healthy watershed and encouraging those around them to do so as well. The curriculum will be more than just sciencebased, but will encourage positive social action to make a difference in their community. They will understand their potential impacts and be given specific actions they can take to protect local watersheds and wildlife.

The Gardens at Heather Farm: Watershed & Wildlife page 3 of 3 The Gardens at Heather Farm Application P

Provide more detail/ break down on the costs. Itemize if possible.

Our itemized budget details the costs we project for this program, including the development of the curriculum and curriculum materials, as well as the costs for curriculum delivery and materials.

Curriculum Development $ 2,793

Includes Labor to Develop Curriculum and Materials, Training of $2,793 Teachers

Curriculum Delivery $ 7,486

Labor Teaching, Travel & Preparation Time $ 3,198

Scheduling, Materials Preparation and Administration $ 904

Project Monitoring, Supervision and Reporting $ 1,074

Total Labor $ 5,176

Other Costs Lab Supplies $500 Mileage $270 Outreach $840 Supplies $700

Total Other Costs $ 2,310

Total Grant Requested $ 10,279

The Gardens at Heather Farm: Watershed & Wildlife page 3 of 3 The Gardens at Heather Farm Application P

Transportation is expensive. Was it considered? (It may limit the number of students that are able to attend the program.)

The Watershed & Wildlife program would take place at local school sites, so they would not be required to travel to take part in the program. The Gardens at Heather Farm’s education programs served over 15,000 students last year, mostly on school campuses. While the option would be there to take a field trip to receive the program it would not be necessary if it were a financial burden to them.

Our educational programs are designed to bring meaningful interactive learning experiences to children and schools. We bring our Natural Science Classroom kits filled with all the materials we’d need to allow students to participate in handson learning experiences. Creating a video to familiarize students with local waterways, as part of a multisensory learning experience, will help them feel connected to their community and environment without having to travel.

The Gardens at Heather Farm: Watershed & Wildlife page 3 of 3