Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee (FWC) Date: January 15, 2020 Time: 3:00 P.M

Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee (FWC) Date: January 15, 2020 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 and Statement of Conflict. A member who has a conflict should, prior to consideration of the decision: (1) publicly identify in detail the financial interest that causes the conflict; (2) recuse himself/herself from discussing and voting on the matter; and (3) leave the room until after the decision has been made.

2) Review/Approve minutes from the November 20, 2019 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 and accept the letter of appreciation from International Bird Rescue for their 2019 “Resolving Negative Human-Wildlife Interactions (AKA Urban Wildlife Conflicts)” project.

6) Continue to discuss developing an informational brochure on invasive species.

7) Continue to discuss plans and potential speakers for the 2020 Fall Forum.

8) Consider the 21 Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund applications submitted by January 6, 2020. Consider inviting one or more organizations to the following meeting if the Committee has further questions on their grant proposals.

9) Determine 2020 Fish and Wildlife Committee meeting schedule.

10) Determine the agenda for the next meeting. The next regular scheduled meeting February 19, 2020. Possible agenda items for upcoming meetings include:

• Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund grant applications • Field trip to Moorhen Marsh • Election of Officers • California Waterfix Update • IPM Update • 2020 Fall Forum • Draft Annual Report/Work Plan • 2021 Grant RFP

Adjourn

The Committee Chair may alter the order of agenda items at the meeting. Please contact Maureen Parkes at 925-674-7831 or [email protected] (or Abigail Fateman at 925-674-7820 or [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. Any disclosable public records related to an open session item on a regular meeting agenda and distributed to a majority of the FWC members less than 72 hours before the meeting are available for public inspection at 30 Muir Road in Martinez during business hours. 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 20, 2019

3:00 p.m. Convene meeting.

Judy Bendix, Clark Dawson, Susan Heckly, Kathleen Jennings, Nicole Kozicki, Daniel Pellegrini and Heather Rosmarin attended the meeting. Roni Gehlke and Brett Morris provided advance notice that they would not be able to attend the meeting. Jeff Skinner was absent. Wade Finlinson (CCC Health Services Department), Helen Fitanides (The Watershed Project), Dr. Gordon Frankie (UC Berkeley), Sean Kearns (Office of Assemblymember Frazier), Bob Peoples and John Rudolph attended the meeting. Maureen Parkes (CCC Department of Conservation and Development) attended as staff.

2) Review/Approve minutes from the July 17, 2019 meeting. The meeting minutes were approved as written.

Motion: Heckly, Second: Kozicki

Vote: 6- 0 AYES: Bendix, Dawson, Heckly, Jennings, Kozicki and Pellegrini NOES: None ABSENT: Gehlke, Morris, Rosmarin and Skinner 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.

John Rudolph requested guidance on how to involve high school students in projects to plant trees with a focus on reducing noise to animals. He is also interested in highway animal crossings. He provided his email address [email protected] for those who may have information that they can share with him.

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 updated on the FWC on the following items:

• Roni Gehlke and Brett Morris provided advance notice that they would not be able to attend the meeting today. • The 6th Quadrennial Contra Costa Creek and Watershed Symposium will be held on December 5th at St. Mary’s College. Admission is $25 for adults and $15 for students. • Criteria for reviewing grant requests outside of the normal grant-review cycle

Correspondence items forwarded to the Committee:

• Email from Jeff Skinner regarding California Roadkill Observation System • Email from Heather Rosmarin regarding 2019 Contra Costa Creek & Watershed Symposium • Email from Heather Rosmarin regarding the Grayson Creek Cleanup on Pleasant Hill Community Service Day

Agenda Item 2

• Supervisor Andersen: News from Around the District (3) • Supervisor Burgis: e-Updates – Marsh Creek Clean-up (2) • Supervisor Mitchoff: e-Update regarding an East Bay Regional Park District survey • Supervisor Gioia: e-Updates regarding Coastal Clean-up (2) • Email from the Clerk of the Board sending out a link to the new training video – Brown Act & Better Government Ordinance as well as a link to the Clerk of the Board’s Training- Resources webpage. • Fish and Wildlife Services – Draft Recovery Plan Revisions for 53 Species including Antioch Dunes species (Lange’s metalmark, butterfly, Contra Costa wallflower, Antioch Dunes evening-primrose) • Email from Elissa Robinson regarding oral history project for the Watershed Symposium extending an invitation to any Committee members that might be interested in participating in the video. • Email from Gordon Frankie - Trump administration has suspended the USDA’s nationwide colony study, ending access to data that helps scientists understand how and where bees are dying. • California Fish and Game Commission (24) • IPM committee (4) • Department of Water Resources - DCA Delta Stakeholder Engagement Committee (5) • Wildlife Conservation Board • Pleasant Hill Instructional Garden invitation to their Open House on November 9th. • International Bird Rescue invitation to their Night-Heron Masquerade on October 26th • Newsletters and Announcements . Save Mount Diablo announcement regarding the 6th Annual Mary Bowerman Science and Research Colloquium on December 12, 2019 . Urban Bee Lab October 2019, Volume 23 Newsletter . California Wildlife Foundation /California Oaks . John Muir Land Trust . Green Technology News . Bay Area Monitor and Notes (6) . Lindsay Wildlife Experience – Conservation Icons Series (4) . Save Mt. Diablo – Diablo Watch, Issue 67 – Fall/Winter Edition . Urban Tilth (5)

Heather Rosmarin informed the FWC about: • The upcoming Contra Costa County Creek and Watershed Symposium, which will be held at St. Mary’s College on December 5, 2019. Friends of Pleasant Hill Creeks will have a table at the event. • Restoration Trust is sponsoring a restoration of a section of Grayson Creek in Pleasant Hill on Saturday, January 11th. Volunteers will plant wildlife-friendly native plants on a section of Grayson Creek at Golf Club Road bridge near Diablo Valley College.

Nicole Kozicki informed the FWC that she has been in contact with CDFW staff regarding the status of the 2018 Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund grant that they received for a deer and turkey decoy. She said that it would take six months to a year for this project to be complete.

Danny Pellegrini informed the Committee that John Winther died and wanted the FWC to consider honoring him with a resolution for his work at Webb Tract and Holland Tract.

Kathleen Jennings informed the FWC that there is a large amount of algae at McNabney Marsh.

Agenda Item 2

5) Presentation on Monitoring Water Quality in Contra Costa County Watersheds (Helen Fitanides, The Watershed Project) Helen Fitanides, Water Quality Program Coordinator for The Watershed Project, provided an informative presentation on their water quality monitoring program and thanked the FWC for their generous support.

6) Presentation on Native Bees in Urban Brentwood and Agricultural Brentwood (Dr. Gordon Frankie, UC Berkeley) Dr. Gordon Frankie provided an informative presentation on the native bees in urban and agricultural Brentwood. Dr. Frankie thanked the Committee for their support throughout the years.

7) Review and accept the progress report from UC Berkeley on their “Native Bees in Urban Brentwood and Agricultural Brentwood project”. The FWC reviewed and accepted the progress report.

Motion: Kozicki, Second: Heckly

Vote: 7- 0 AYES: Bendix, Dawson, Heckly, Jennings, Kozicki, Pellegrini and Rosmarin NOES: None ABSENT: Gehlke, Morris and Skinner ABSTAIN: None

8) Review and accept the final report from Marine Science Institute for their 2019 “Delta Education Equipment” project. The FWC reviewed and accepted the final report.

Motion: Kozicki, Second: Pellegrini

Vote: 7- 0 AYES: Bendix, Dawson, Heckly, Jennings, Kozicki, Pellegrini and Rosmarin NOES: None ABSENT: Gehlke, Morris and Skinner ABSTAIN: None

9) Review and accept the final report from International Bird Rescue for their 2019 “Resolving Negative Human-Wildlife Interactions (AKA urban Wildlife Conflicts)” project. The FWC reviewed and accepted the final report.

Motion: Heckly, Second: Kozicki

Vote: 7- 0 AYES: Bendix, Dawson, Heckly, Jennings, Kozicki, Pellegrini and Rosmarin NOES: None ABSENT: Gehlke, Morris and Skinner ABSTAIN: None

10) Review and accept the final report from Mills College for their 2017 “Ecology of Fear: What Stresses Out Wild Mammals?” project. The FWC reviewed and accepted the final report.

Motion: Dawson, Second: Kozicki

Vote: 7- 0 AYES: Bendix, Dawson, Heckly, Jennings, Kozicki, Pellegrini and Rosmarin NOES: None ABSENT: Gehlke, Morris and Skinner ABSTAIN: None

Agenda Item 2

11) Consider making a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors to renew or replace the member of the FWC designated to serve on the Contra Costa County Integrated Pest Management Advisory Committee. Wade Finlinson, the new Integrated Pest Management Coordinator, introduced himself and provided information about the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Committee. The FWC recommended that Susan Heckly continue to be the designated member to serve on the IPM Committee.

Motion: Rosmarin, Second: Bendix

Vote: 7- 0 AYES: Bendix, Dawson, Heckly, Jennings, Kozicki, Pellegrini and Rosmarin NOES: None ABSENT: Gehlke, Morris and Skinner ABSTAIN: None

12) Discuss outcome of the September 19, 2019 Fall Forum and consider plans and potential speakers for next year. The Committee discussed the successful outcome of the Fall Forum: the interesting presentation on Nutria by Chad Rynearson of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the great food prepared by Danny Pellegrini and his crew. Approximately 100 people attended the event. The Committee set September 24, 2020 as the tentative date for the 2020 Fall Forum and discussed potential speakers.

13) Review and consider approving the draft 2019 work plan and annual report to the Board of Supervisors. The Committee reviewed and approved the 2019 work plan and annual report.

Motion: Rosmarin, Second: Kozicki

Vote: 7- 0 AYES: Bendix, Dawson, Heckly, Jennings, Kozicki, Pellegrini and Rosmarin NOES: None ABSENT: Gehlke, Morris and Skinner ABSTAIN: None

14) Discuss developing an informational brochure on invasive species. The Committee discussed developing the brochure and continued the item to a future meeting.

15) Determine the agenda for the next meeting. The next regular scheduled meeting January 15, 2020. Possible agenda items for upcoming meetings include:

• Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund grant applications • Determine 2020 meeting schedule • Field trip to Moorhen Marsh • Election of Officers • California Waterfix Update • IPM Update • 2020 Fall Forum • Draft Annual Report/Work Plan • 2021 Grant RFP

Adjourn

Agenda Item 5 Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2020

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

This is a request for funding a survey of (a) public education native bee species and their host (i) scientific research flowers in urban Brentwood. This is a Native Bees in continuation of Dr. Frankie's research The Regents of *CDFW has Urban Brentwood on native bees in the Brentwood area A the University non-profit confirmed this East County $5,900.00 and Agricultural and their role in providing pollination of California project is eligible to Brentwood services. Funds are requested for travel, receive funds under materials and supplies, and a bee FGC Section taxonomist to be hired on a contract 13103 (i) basis to identify the bees.

This is a request for funding a research project that will characterize and Can wildlife explain factors shaping the gut stomach (a) public education microbiome as part of the Briones Long- anthropogenic (i) scientific research Term Study of California Ground change?: Gut (m) conservation Squirrels which should provide insights microbiomes of into the extent to which anthropogenic B Mills College school Central County $16,231.00 free-living *CDFW has alternations to habitat disrupt or mammals across confirmed this otherwise shape microbiota diversity. the lifespan in project is eligible to Funds are requested for 16s Ribosomal variable receive funds under RNA Sequencing at Microbiome environments FGC Section 13103 Insights, DNeasy PowerSoil Kits from (i) and (m) Quagen, pipette tips, sunflower seeds for bait, and Ziploc baggies for samples.

*CDFW requires Department approval of Fish and Wildlife Propagation funds that are requested under California Fish and Game Code Section 13103 (d), (h), (i), (l) and (m).

Page 1 of 11 1/10/2020 Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2020

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

Group of This is a request for funding to purchase citizen additional native plants, plant labels, volunteers for garden signs, and soil enhancements for Friends of the betterment (a) public education Alhambra Native existing sites and possibly future new C Alhambra of the (e) habitat Central County $611.00 Plant Trail sites on the Alhambra Native Plant Trail Creek Alhambra improvement and also for the printing of their Creek brochure that they offer at several local Watershed environmental events. (non-profit)

This is a request for funding to improve the Pinole Library Native Plant Garden and other highly visible sites along the Grassroots banks of Pinole Creek. In conjunction Community Pinole Creek with the Pinole Library Native Plant Friends of Group with (a) public education Watershed Native Garden workdays, FoPCW will distribute D Pinole Creek fiscal (e) habitat West County $1,400.00 Plant Garden at information about Pinole Creek Watershed sponsorship by improvement the Pinole Library Watershed’s native fish, wildlife, and the Watershed plants and urge the community to join Project them in protecting their natural resources. Funds are requested for supplies, plants and a fiscal sponsor fee.

*CDFW requires Department approval of Fish and Wildlife Propagation funds that are requested under California Fish and Game Code Section 13103 (d), (h), (i), (l) and (m).

Page 2 of 11 1/10/2020 Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2020

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

This is a request for funding the installation of a trash rack and fencing at the mouth of an underground John Swett Unified culvert, which passes under two schools John Swett School District in Crockett, to keep unwanted debris (e) habitat E Unified School school Habitat Central County $20,000.00 out of the culvert and ultimately out of improvement District Improvement the Carquinez straight. Funds are Project requested for three sections of galvanized pipe - three feet in length, concrete footings and the associated installation of these materials.

This is a request for funding to deliver the Watershed Action Program and to support eight bay and delta field trips for 200 students and eight teachers from low-income third, fourth, and fifth grade classes in El Cerrito, Pittsburg, Antioch, Hercules, and Richmond. The West County WAP uses multiple ways to teach (a) public education 60% KIDS for the Watershed Action students about fish and wildlife F non-profit (e) habitat $6,000.00 BAY Program conservation including hands-on improvement East County science lessons that support Next 40% Generation Science Standards, and fostering environmental stewardship of the local watershed in Contra Costa County through Environmental Action Projects and trash clean-ups. Funds are requested for field trip transportation costs.

*CDFW requires Department approval of Fish and Wildlife Propagation funds that are requested under California Fish and Game Code Section 13103 (d), (h), (i), (l) and (m).

Page 3 of 11 1/10/2020 Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2020

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

This is a request for funding to support the 2020 Delta Discovery Voyage Program. The DDV program delivers STEM and environmental education Central County with hands-on science curriculum that 48% Marine 2020 Delta is aligned with Next Generation Science G Science non-profit Discovery Voyage (a) public education $10,000.00 Standards (NGSS) aboard their 90-foot East County Institute Program research vessel on the Sacramento-San 52% Joaquin River Delta. Funds are requested for expendable supplies, MSI instructors' overnight stays in an Antioch motel and fuel for the ship/MSI vehicles and Antioch Marina fee.

This is a request for partial funding of the repair of 16 nesting rafts and to conduct 10 nesting bird surveys in McNabney Marsh. The project would McNabney Marsh protect migratory bird nests, eggs, and Mt. View Nesting Bird Survey (e) habitat chicks from flooding and/or drowning in H Sanitary government Central County $9,400.00 and Raft Repair improvement the Marsh, and help determine impacts District Project from tide gate operations on nesting bird success. Funds are requested for hardware/substrate for each raft, nesting bird surveys, MVSD District Biologist, and MVSD Utility Laborer.

*CDFW requires Department approval of Fish and Wildlife Propagation funds that are requested under California Fish and Game Code Section 13103 (d), (h), (i), (l) and (m).

Page 4 of 11 1/10/2020 Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2020

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

This is a request for partial funding of 18, four hour field trips to Moorhen Marsh. The curriculum is designed in partnership with the Lindsay Wildlife Central County Experience (LWE) in Walnut Creek. The Wetlands Field Trip Mt. View 89% 4-hour, hands-on, outdoor education Program for Contra I Sanitary government (a) public education $9,000.00 program provides instruction on Costa County District West County pollution prevention and water Schools 11% quality, the value of wetland habitats for people and wildlife, and aquatic animal adaptations. Funds requested are to pay for Lindsay Wildlife Experience instructors.

This is a request for funds to develop an outdoor science curriculum to help connect the community to the natural environment. This project is in partnership with the City of San Pablo Wildcat Creek and The Watershed Project. The City of Salesian Monitoring: Cross- (a) public education San Pablo’s Wildcat Creek Restoration J College school Agency Outdoor (e) habitat West County $3,600.00 Project will improve and restore a vital Preparatory Science and Water improvement 800-foot section of Wildcat Creek to Quality Curriculum create a more natural creek habitat. Funds are requested for meters, calibration standards, bioswale monitoring gear and bioswale lab testing fees.

*CDFW requires Department approval of Fish and Wildlife Propagation funds that are requested under California Fish and Game Code Section 13103 (d), (h), (i), (l) and (m).

Page 5 of 11 1/10/2020 Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2020

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

This is a request for funding a children's educational activity at the 2020 Martinez Beaver Festival. “The case of the Missing Salmon” will invite children Mystery at the to become ‘nature detectives’ and solve beaver pond: The a mystery at a beaver pond, learning to K Worth a Dam non-profit (a) public education Central County $1,050.00 Case of the Missing identify the habits and tracks of various Salmon riparian wildlife. Funds will be used for cards, envelopes, magnifying glasses, exhibit location map festival brochure, artist pastels, children's pastels and printing of signs and post tests.

This is a request for funding Arundo Lafayette eradication in the City Lafayette in Government - Creeks Lafayette Arundo collaboration with Walnut Creek Voluntary (e) habitat L Committee, Eradication Project Central County $4,000.00 Watershed Council. Funds are Advisory improvement City of Match requested for Arundo removal and site Committee Lafayette clean-up, plants and irrigation, planting, and site maintenance.

*CDFW requires Department approval of Fish and Wildlife Propagation funds that are requested under California Fish and Game Code Section 13103 (d), (h), (i), (l) and (m).

Page 6 of 11 1/10/2020 Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2020

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

This is a request for funding educational Increasing field trips from local elementary schools educational use of to their Wilkie Creek restoration site as (a) public education Wilkie Creek well as funds to create outreach M SPAWNERS non-profit (e) habitat West County $4,140.00 restoration site by materials. Funds are requested for improvement elementary school restoration, educational and outreach students materials, evaluation and reports, and travel.

This is a request for funding for the implementation of an aggressive invasive species management plan in the Spring of 2020 as a supplement to UC Berkeley, overall coastal terrace prairie Coastal Terrace Office of management at UCB's Richmond Field Prairie Invasive (e) habitat N Environment, school West County $9,500.00 Station. The coastal terrace prairie at Species improvement Health & the RFS is the last remaining ecosystem Management Safety of its kind in the East Bay. Funds are requested for mower and baler rental/service provider, goat transport and support, and landscaping services for invasive island removal.

*CDFW requires Department approval of Fish and Wildlife Propagation funds that are requested under California Fish and Game Code Section 13103 (d), (h), (i), (l) and (m).

Page 7 of 11 1/10/2020 Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2020

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

This is a request for funding an educational program for volunteers, local practitioners and interested public that will increase undertanding, Contra Costa Golden Hour awareness and knowledge around County O Restoration non-profit (a) public education Countywide $2,750.00 restoration ecology and conservation Foundations in Institute efforts within CCC. Funds are requested Restoration Course for instructor honorariums, refereshments, location rental, insurance required for rental space, and course handouts/printing.

This is a request for funding to improve habitat for wildlife, including threatened species, along a sensitive Curry Creek riparian corridor of Curry Creek where Save Mount (e) habitat P non-profit Restoration East County $9,380.00 Valley Oak restoration is scheduled in Diablo improvement Fencing 2020 by installing a wildlife-friendly, livestock-exclusion fence. Funds are requested for 1,340 linear feet of fencing which includes installation.

*CDFW requires Department approval of Fish and Wildlife Propagation funds that are requested under California Fish and Game Code Section 13103 (d), (h), (i), (l) and (m).

Page 8 of 11 1/10/2020 Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2020

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

West County This is a request for funds to support 43% EBRPD's Kids Healthy Outdoors Challenge. This program promotes Kids Healthy Central County outdoor education and play while also Regional Parks Q non-profit Outdoors (a) public education 22% $18,000.00 supporting the delivery of third-grade Foundation Challenge curriculum. Funds are requested for East County bus transportation to regional parks for 35% low-income schools and printing of student booklets.

This is a request for funding to offset costs for birds admitted from Contra Resolving Negative (b) temporary Costa County to IBR's San Francisco Bay- Human-Wildlife emergency International Delta Wildlife Center between April 1 R non-profit Interactions (AKA treatment and care Countywide $12,500.00 Bird Rescue and December 31, 2020. Funds are Urban Wildlife of injured or requested for medication, supplements, Conflicts) orphaned wildlife vitamins, nutrition, and veterinary supplies.

*CDFW requires Department approval of Fish and Wildlife Propagation funds that are requested under California Fish and Game Code Section 13103 (d), (h), (i), (l) and (m).

Page 9 of 11 1/10/2020 Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2020

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

This is a request for funding to provide necessary tools to deepen and expand The California the impact of CUSP's watershed Equipping the Urban Streams restoration programs, and community California Urban (a) public education Partnership, A education on stream restoration. Funds S non-profit Streams (e) habitat Countywide $10,039.00 Project of are requested to purchase a chain saw, Partnership for improvement Earth Island pole saw, coir fabric, fabric staples, pop- Greater Impact Institute up tent, work gloves, hand pruners, truck rental and a five gallon water dispenser.

This is a request for funds for a pilot project to put together place-based curriculum, outdoor experiences and year long projects that support classroom teachers to get students involved in exploring, monitoring and Outside The Schoolwide Creek (a) public education improving their nearby natural spaces. Box 925 and T non-profit Restoration (e) habitat Central County $7,200.00 Outside the Box 925 is an education Friends of the Projects improvement company that is working to connect city Creeks creek groups with their associated schools in Mt Diablo Unified School District. Funds are requested for class trips, class instruction, bus transportation, and teacher training sessions.

*CDFW requires Department approval of Fish and Wildlife Propagation funds that are requested under California Fish and Game Code Section 13103 (d), (h), (i), (l) and (m).

Page 10 of 11 1/10/2020 Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2020

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

This is a request for funding to create a Middle School version of the video "The Cannonball Express" which would cover several scientific principles of Steven P. conservation for CCC students by raising Kennedy & Pat The Cannonball awareness of how conservation efforts Winters Express - Contra can improve habitat, enhance fish and U applying non-profit Costa County (a) public education Countywide $2,000.00 wildlife populations and create through Middle School recreational opportunities for Cutlural Media version sportsmen. Funds are requested for pre- Services production costs, equipment rental, camera operator, drone operation, editing and titling, music scoring, archival rights and insurance.

$162,701.00 $0.00

Total Available Funds as of January 9, 2020 $314,055.47

Remainder $151,354.47 $314,055.47

Percentage of Percentage of Requested Funding Recommended Total Amount Subtotals By Region Total Amount Amount Funding Amount Recommended for Requested Approval East $29,180.00 17.93% West $30,970.00 19.03% Central $59,031.00 36.28% Countywide $43,520.00 26.75% TOTAL $162,701.00 100.00%

*CDFW requires Department approval of Fish and Wildlife Propagation funds that are requested under California Fish and Game Code Section 13103 (d), (h), (i), (l) and (m).

Page 11 of 11 1/10/2020 Percentage of Total Percentage of Recommended Amount Requested Total Amount Funding Recommended for Subtotals by Region Funding Amount Requested Amount Approval East $29,180.00 17.93% West $30,970.00 19.03% Central $59,031.00 36.28% Countywide $43,520.00 26.75%

TOTAL $162,701.00 100.00% East County Requested Recommended

The Regents of the University of California $5,900.00 KIDS for the BAY $2,400.00 Marine Science Institute $5,200.00 Save Mount Diablo $9,380.00 Regional Parks Foundation $6,300.00

TOTAL $29,180.00

West County Requested Recommended

Friends of Pinole Creek Watershed $1,400.00

KIDS for the BAY $3,600.00 Mt. View Sanitary District - Field Trips $990.00

Salesian College Preparatory $3,600.00

SPAWNERS $4,140.00 UC Berkeley - Invasive Species $9,500.00

Regional Parks Foundation $7,740.00

TOTAL $30,970.00 Central County Requested Recommended

Friends of Alhambra Creek $611.00

John Swett Unified School District $20,000.00

Marine Science Institute $4,800.00 Mt. View Sanitary District - Rafts $9,400.00 Mt. View Sanitary District - Field Trips $8,010.00

Worth a Dam $1,050.00

Lafayette Creeks Committee $4,000.00

Regional Parks Foundation $3,960.00 Outside The Box 925 & Friends of Creeks $7,200.00

TOTAL $59,031.00

Countywide Requested Recommended Mills College $16,231.00

Golden Hour Restoration Institute $2,750.00

International Bird Rescue $12,500.00

The California Urban Streams Partnership $10,039.00

Steven P. Kennedy & Pat Winters $2,000.00

TOTAL $43,520.00 !!!For Reference Only!!! 2019 Grant Recommendations !!! For Reference Only!!! Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2019

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

This is a request for funding the sampling of native bees and their flower hosts in urban Brentwood during the main flowering season of 2018 (complete) and 2019 The project meets the (proposed for 2019) (March-Sept.) (a) public requirements of Section 13103 (a) and compare this inventory with education public education and (i) scientific sampled collections from adjacent (i) scientific research. The Committee Ag Brentwood farms.This is a research recommends partial funding in Native Bees in continuation of Professor Frankie's The Regents of the amount of $3,572 to support Urban Brentwood research on California's native A the University of non-profit *CDFW has East County $8,572.00 $3,572.00 Professor Frankie's research on and Agricultural bees and their relationships with California confirmed this native bees and their role in Brentwood flowering plants, and their project is eligible to providing pollination services in pollination role in agricultural, receive funds the Brentwood area. Funds may be ornamental, and natural under FGC Section used only for travel, materials and landscapes. They will also will be 13103 (i) supplies as outlined in the grant sharing their findings application Project Budget. with several audiences. Funds would be used for travel, materials and supplies and a bee taxonomist hired on a contract basis to identify bees.

*CDFW requires Department approval of Fish and Wildlife Propagation funds that are requested under California Fish and Game Code Section 13103 (d), (h), (i), (l) and (m). 4/2/2019 !!!For Reference Only!!! 2019 Grant Recommendations !!! For Reference Only!!! Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2019

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

(a) public education The project meets the (d) by breeding, requirements of Section 13103(a) raising and This is a request for funding a public education and (d) by releasing Sacramento perch restoration breeding, raising and releasing Contra Costa Sacramento perch: Sacramento perch project combined with watershed Sacramento perch. The program Resource from watersheds to B government Countywide $2,895.00 $2,895.00 education for students. Funds provides for restoration of Conservation classrooms, and *CDFW has would be used for supplies for Sacramento perch in the Bay Delta District back! confirmed this aquariums, and supplies for System and will engage project is eligible to spawning and food acclimation. approximately 225 students with receive funds inquiry-based learning, as well as under FGC Section hands-on, experiential learning. 13103 (d)

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

The project meets the requirements of Section (b) Temporary emergency treatment (b) Temporary and care of injured or emergency This is a request for funding to orphaned wildlife and (c) treatment and offset nutrition, medicine, and Temporary treatment and care of Resolving Negative care of injured or veterinary medical supply costs for wildlife confiscated by the Human-Wildlife orphaned wildlife. birds admitted from Contra Costa International Bird department as evidence. IBR is a C non-profit Interactions (AKA (c) Temporary Countywide $12,500.00 $12,500.00 County to the San Francisco Bay- Rescue referral hospital and often treats Urban Wildlife treatment Delta Wildlife Center located in the most challenging cases that Conflicts) and care of wildlife Cordelia, California between April are beyond the capacity or skills of confiscated by the 1 and December 31, 2019. other regional wildlife centers and department as clinics. The goal of the project is to evidence. address known, ongoing Urban Wildlife Conflicts (negative human- wildlife interactions) in CCC in 2019.

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

This is a request for funds to support a learning activity at the The project meets the 12th annual Beaver Festival in requirements of Section 13103 (a) Martinez. Children and parents will Treasure Hunt for public education. The project will (a) public learn the essential benefits of a D Worth a Dam non-profit the 'Lost Key to the Central County $1,025.00 $1,025.00 teach children and parents the education beaver pond with a 'treasure hunt' Waters' essential benefits of a beaver pond theme. Funds are requested for with this fun treasure hunt at the various supplies, directional sign Martinez Beaver Festival. flags, exhibit location map, bronze keys, chalk and soft pastels.

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

The project meets the This is a request for funds to requirements of Section 13103 (a) deliver the Watershed Action public education and (e) habitat Program and to fund eight (8) local improvement. In hands-on science bay and delta field trips (school West County classroom lessons, students and bus transportation) for students 50% teachers will learn about the and teachers from low‐income (a) public ecology of their local watershed; Contra Costa County schools, Watershed Action education Central County on field trips they will learn about E Kids for the Bay non-profit $6,000.00 $6,000.00 which will teach students about Program (e) habitat 25% the diversity of aquatic life in close- the scientific principles of fish and improvement up encounters with nature; use wildlife conservation, as well as East County microscopes, observe and identify help to improve the health of fish 25% local bird species and participate and wildlife habitats in Contra in trash clean-ups to protect the Costa County through wildlife that they learn about Environmental Action Projects and during their classroom lessons and trash clean-ups. field trip.

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

This is a request for funds to design, fabricate and install two interpretive wayside panels in Lafayette community parks near downtown Lafayette. The signage The Committee does not government, Lafayette - Creek will increase awareness of the recommend funding for this City of Lafayette, voluntary (a) public F Interpretation and Central County $4,200.00 $0.00 creeks and their natural values in project because it did not Creeks Committee advisory education Education Signage the downtown area of Lafayette in demonstrate it would provide as committee a way that will inform and much benefit to fish and wildlife as promote projects identified in the other grant applications. Lafayette Downtown Creeks Preservation, Restoration and Development Plan (DCP).

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

This is a request for funds for habitat restoration on City of Richmond property next to the Hoffman Marsh. This site is the gateway to the Greens-at-Work Point Isabel/Hoffman Marsh The project meets the restoration project previously City of Richmond requirements of Section 13103 (e) funded by CCC Fish and Wildlife Greens-at- Adopt-a-Spot habitat improvement. The project (e) habitat Propagation Fund. Work will G Work/Berkeley non-profit Rehabilitation West County $2,022.30 $2,022.30 will enhance, improve, and extend improvement include fencing part of the site to Partners for Parks Project the quality of the habitat on which deter trash from blowing into (Richmond/CA) the plants, animals, birds and Hoffman Marsh, filling in and insects of Hoffman Marsh rely. maintaining native plant vegetation, and conducting public outreach. Funds will be used for bamboo fence panels, steel stakes/rebar, tools + tie wire, native plants, soil and gloves.

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

This is a request for funds to The program meets the replace Samson ropes for mooring requirements of Section 13103 (a) their 90-foot research vessel at the Central County public education. The Committee Antioch Marina, which is used to 2019 Delta 51% recommends funding in the Marine Science (a) public deliver STEM and environmental H non-profit Education $7,733.55 $4,804.82 amount of $4,804.82 for new Institute education education to CCC 5th grade Equipment East County Samson ropes for mooring their students with hands-on science 49% research vessel so the Delta curriculum that is aligned with Discovery Voyages program will Next Generation Science Standards carry on safely and without (NGSS). interruption.

This is a request for funds for their West County Kids Healthy Outdoors Challenge 35% Program. This program promotes The project meets the outdoor education and play while requirements of Section 13103 (a) Kids Healthy Regional Parks (a) public Central County also supporting the delivery of public education. The goal of the I non-profit Outdoors Challenge $10,000.00 $10,000.00 Foundation education 21% third-grade curriculum. Funds program is to connect youth to (KHOC) would be used for bus nature and build future East County transportation, teacher's guide, environmental stewards. 44% student booklets and teacher orientation (supplies and lunches).

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

This is a request for funds to go toward TWP's third year of their county-wide creek monitoring program. They will continue all The project meets the aspects of the monitoring program requirements of Section 13103 (a) while expanding their network, public education and (e) habitat making their data available improvement. The goal of the Water Quality (a) public through California Environmental creek monitoring program is to The Watershed Monitoring in education J non-profit Countywide $21,580.00 $21,580.00 Data Exchange Network (CEDEN), train and engage citizen scientists Project Contra Costa (e) habitat and deploying monitoring loggers on improving water quality in CCC County improvement at certain sites. Funds would be and they will play a role in used for monthly monitoring educating other residents on how equipment, Water Reporter app to to ensure a healthier habitat for publish data, test kits, testing fish. samples at Enthalpy Analytical, ID bug samples and a Water Quality Monitoring Design Course.

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

This is a request for funds to reduce ground squirrel population by removing turf/bare ground, replacing it with native and Mediterranean plants, and installing a pollinator garden, The Committee does not (a) public which will have four interpretative recommend funding for this Mt. View Sanitary MVSD Pollinator education K government Central County $17,180.00 $0.00 panels and a garden brochure to project due to the uncertainty District Garden (e) habitat educate visitors and school that it would reduce the ground improvement students on the importance of squirrel population. pollinators and pollinator habitat conservation. Funds would be used for plants, interpretive panel fabrication and base, and UC Berkeley Bee Lab follow-up study.

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

This is a request for funds to put on a two-day workshop in Contra Costa County. This workshop will provide 30 attendees with a framework to effectively design a Grassland The Committee does not monitoring plan for vegetation Monitoring recommend funding for this California Native and/or wildlife, understand Workshop: workshop because it was not as Grasslands (a) public current protocols and field L non-profit Methods and Countywide $3,014.00 $0.00 competitive with other grant Association education methods, get an introduction to Techniques for applications in the benefit to fish (CNGA) several methods of data analysis, Vegetation and and wildlife or the number of and provide guidelines for how to Wildlife Monitoring people reached. use the results to inform future management decisions. Funds would be used for instructors, food, handouts and field work materials.

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

This is a request for funds to support El Cerrito's volunteer efforts to improve wildife habitat on the portion of the hillside nearest to the El Cerrito Recycling + Environmental Resource Center. They will remove invasive and fire- The project meets the prone plants and add new native requirements of Section 13103 (e) plants to improve pollinator and habitat improvement. The project El Cerrito Recycling City of El Cerrito, other wildlife habitat, prevent will improve the native plant + Environmental Operations + (e) habitat erosion, decrease fire risk, and habitat on the hillside nearest to M government Resource Center - West County $2,867.66 $2,867.66 Environmental improvement increase the overall aesthetics of the El Cerrito Recycling + Hillside Habitat Services Division the site. Interpretive signage will Environmental Resource Center Restoration Project be used to encourage people to benefitting the Bay Area wildlife recognize both invasive and native that depend on the native species plants and understand their role in habitat for food and shelter. the greater ecosystem of the hillside. Funds would be used for landscape staples, weed barrier landscape fabric, plants, compost, seeds, refreshments for volunteers and interpretive signage.

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

Total Available Funds as of January 10, 2019 $175,908.92 $175,908.92

$99,589.51 $67,266.78

Remainder $76,319.41 $108,642.14

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

East $18,261.44 18.34% $11,826.36 17.58% West $11,389.96 11.44% $11,389.96 16.93% Central $29,949.11 30.07% $7,075.46 10.52% Countywide $39,989.00 40.15% $36,975.00 54.97% TOTAL $99,589.51 100.00% $67,266.78 100.00%

*CDFW requires Department approval of Fish and Wildlife Propagation funds that are requested under California Fish and Game Code Section 13103 (d), (h), (i), (l) and (m). 4/2/2019 !!!For Reference Only!!! 2018 Grant Recommendations !!! For Reference Only!!! Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2018

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

The project meets the requirements of Section 13103 (i) scientific research and (m) other expenditures. Long term goals of (i) scientific This is a request for grant funds to the project include: identification of research expand a mountain lion study project important corridors for mountain lion (m) other from two to three key areas in the movement which will inform future land expenditures East Bay. RPF requests funds to acquisition by EBRPD; gain a better purchase 10 additional cameras, train understanding of the challenges that East Bay Regional * CDFW has citizen scientists, and analyze image Regional Parks mountain lions face along a A non-profit Mountain Lion confirmed this East County $20,000.00 $20,000.00 data. The cameras would be located Foundation (RPF) suburban/urban interface; identify areas Project (EBMLP) project is near Mount Diablo at the Morgan of potential human-mountain lion conflict, eligible Territory and Round Valley Regional and develop strategies to mitigate these to receive funds Preserves and monitor mountain conflicts; document mountain lion ecology under FGC lions and other carnivores, track specific to the East Bay; increase public Section 13103 other wildlife and human activity in awareness of the behavior and ecological (i) and (m) the area. role of mountain lions in California; and contribute vital data to CDFW effort to tally the State’s mountain lion population.

Page 1 of 6 4/3/2018 !!!For Reference Only!!! 2018 Grant Recommendations !!! For Reference Only!!! Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2018

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

This is a request for grant funds for bus transportation to regional parks for low-income schools, teacher's The project meets the requirements of West County 60% guides, student booklets and teacher Section 13103 (a) public education. The Regional Parks Kids Healthy East County 23% (a) public orientation supplies and lunches to goal of the program is to connect youth to B Foundation non-profit Outdoors Central County 17% $20,000.00 $20,000.00 education support EBRPD's Kids Healthy nature and build future environmental (RPF) Challenge (KHOC) (data from Outdoors Challenge. This program stewards. school year 16-17) promotes outdoor education and play while also supporting the delivery of third-grade curriculum.

The project meets the requirements of Section 13103 (i) scientific research and (i) scientific (m) other expenditures. The overarching This is a request for grant funds to research goal of this proposal is to systematically conduct an inventory of native bees (m) other sample native bees in urban Brentwood in urban and agricultural expenditures during the main flowering season of 2018 Brentwood. Funds would be used for (and compare this inventory with the 144 The Regents of Native Bees in travel, materials and supplies, and a * CDFW has native bees of 8 Brentwood farms, which the University of Urban Brentwood bee taxonomist who would be hired C non-profit confirmed this East County $8,900.00 $8,900.00 will also be sampled during 2018.) The California and Agricultural on a contract basis to identify the project is year 2018 is an especially good year to Brentwood bees. This project expands on Dr. eligible to monitor the native bees as the entire area Frankie's research over the past few receive funds is beginning to recover from 5 years of years on native bees and their role in under FGC drought. This research will also add providing pollination services in the Section 13103 scientific understanding of drought effects Brentwood area. (i) and (m) on bee populations and their expected recovery, which would be a major contribution to climate science.

Page 2 of 6 4/3/2018 !!!For Reference Only!!! 2018 Grant Recommendations !!! For Reference Only!!! Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2018

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

This is a request for funds to support a learning activity at the 11th annual The project meets the requirements of Beaver Festival in Martinez. The Section 13103 (a) public education. The project will teach children how project is designed to show the impact Build-A-Beaver (a) public D Worth a Dam non-profit Central County $1,030.00 $1,030.00 beavers and their ponds help riparian beavers have above and below the water Pond education systems thrive. Funds are requested surface and demonstrates their for wildlife sticker books, festival importance to the ecosystem and the vital brochures, printed cards and chalk role ponds play in landscape health. pastels.

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 The project meets the requirements of fish keys for Delta Discovery Voyages, Section 13103 (a) public education. The a program that delivers STEM and Delta Discovery Voyages program teaches Marine Science 2018 Delta (a) public Central County 58% E non-profit $7,739.63 $7,739.63 environmental education with hands- science that is unique and relevant to the Institute Education Supplies education East County 42% on science curriculum that is aligned region where the students live, human with Next Generation Science direct effect on Delta ecosystem and why Standards aboard a 90-foot research it is important to protect watersheds. vessel on the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. All funds will benefit Contra Costa County 5th grade science education.

Page 3 of 6 4/3/2018 !!!For Reference Only!!! 2018 Grant Recommendations !!! For Reference Only!!! Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2018

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

A request by the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife for propagation (g) purchase funds to be used to purchase a deer and maintain and turkey decoy and then be gifted materials, This project meets the requirements of to CDFW. CDFW's Enforcement supplies, or Section 13103 (g) by purchasing Division will use the decoys California equipment for equipment for the CDFW's ownership and throughout CCC to target poachers. F Department of government Decoys either the Countywide $3,496.70 $3,496.70 use. The decoys will be placed in areas The primary goals for the use of the Fish and Wildlife department's that have reported problems of deer or decoys are to deter violations, reduce ownership and turkey poaching or are suspected to have illegal hunting and related violations, use or the a poaching problem. reduce the unlawful harvest of deer department's and turkey and reduce the threat of use injury to both the public and property.

This project meets the requirements of This is a request for funds to Section 13103 (e) habitat improvement. construct and install a temporary Partial funding is recommended and may livestock exclusion fence around a only be used for fencing materials and Contra Costa swale and purchase native plant seed. The project will improve special Morgan Territory Resource (e) habitat seeding to promote vegetation status species habitat by ensuring soil G government Pond 7 Project East County $5,100.00 $2,300.00 Conservation improvement establishment to maintain cover and erosion and sedimentation loads are Phase 2 District reduce soil erosion from entering a reduced from entering into an existing seasonal pond known to provide livestock pond improving water quality, breeding habitat for California red- and the breeding and dispersing habitat of legged frog. the California red-legged frog and California tiger salamander.

Page 4 of 6 4/3/2018 !!!For Reference Only!!! 2018 Grant Recommendations !!! For Reference Only!!! Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2018

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

This project meets the requirements of A request for funds to expand their Section 13103 (e) habitat improvement. countywide water quality monitoring The Watershed Project is adding three program in six Contra Costa County new partnering groups, eight new sites, watersheds, which includes stipends one new watershed, and will begin for interns, monitoring equipment Monitoring Water (a) public sampling for benthic macroinvertebrates and supplies, costs for testing of The Watershed Quality in Contra education living in the creek which will provide a H non-profit Countywide $23,135.00 $23,135.00 samples and identification of bug Project Costa County (e) habitat longer perspective on water quality. The samples sent to scientific labs. The Watersheds improvement project will address local water quality goal of their creek monitoring concerns and result in more highly-trained program is to train and engage citizen citizen scientists living in these scientists on improving water quality communities who can work toward in CCC in order to provide suitable improved water quality and habitat for habitat for fish populations. native fish in the years to come.

A request for grant funds to design, This project meets the requirements of fabricate, and install 14 interpretive Section 13103 (a) public education. The The Moorhen panels and purchase four metal bases project will help increase public awareness Marsh, McNabney for three MVSD sites. The goal of this on variety of subjects such as: special Mt. View Sanitary Marsh, and (a) public I government Central County $5,634.00 $5,634.00 project is to provide an effective status wetland species, the Endangered District Wildlife Garden education educational tool to reach County Species Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Interpretive Panels residents about wetland and garden the dangers of pesticides to wildlife, Project habitats and the wildlife dependent wetland management challenges, and the on them. value of clean water to fish and wildlife.

Page 5 of 6 4/3/2018 !!!For Reference Only!!! 2018 Grant Recommendations !!! For Reference Only!!! Grant Applications and Fish and Wildlife Committee Recommendations 2018

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

This project meets the requirements of Section 13103 (e) habitat improvement. Floating Treatment Wetlands (FTW) are a A request for grant funds for useful tool to improve water quality for MVSD Floating materials and supplies to fabricate fish and wildlife. FTWs target excess Mt. View Sanitary Treatment (e) habitat 15, 4' x 10' floating treatment nutrients which are a primary contributor J government Central County $9,120.00 $9,120.00 District Wetlands Project - improvement wetlands (FTW) in Moorhen Marsh to to algae and weed growth in aquatic Pilot Study improve water quality and provide systems. In addition to improving water refuge and nesting habitat. quality, FTWs also provide refuge habitat for birds, macroinvertebrates, and fish, as well as potential nesting habitat for waterfowl and songbirds.

$104,155.33 $101,355.33 Total Available Funds as of January 12, 2018 $227,856.21 Remainder $126,500.88

Percentage of Requested Percentage of Total Recommended Total Amount Subtotals By Region Funding Amount Amount Requested Funding Amount Recommended for Approval East $41,850.64 40.18% $39,050.64 38.53% West $12,000.00 11.52% $12,000.00 11.84% Central $23,672.99 22.73% $23,672.99 23.36% Countywide $26,631.70 25.57% $26,631.70 26.28% TOTAL $104,155.33 100.00% $101,355.33 100.00%

Page 6 of 6 4/3/2018 &RQWUD&RVWD&RXQW\ 2IILFH8VH2QO\ )LVKDQG:LOGOLIH3URSDJDWLRQ)XQG $SSOLFDWLRQ&RYHU3DJH A 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, VFKRRO other (explain) X

Address: 1608 Fourth Street, Suite 220, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94710-1749

Telephone: (510) 642-8120 Fax: (510) 642-8236

E-mail: [email protected]

Name and title of contact person: Jessie Brown, Contract and Grant Officer

A survey of the native bee species and their host flowers in urban One sentence summary of proposal: Brentwood, Contra Costa Co.

Requested grant: $5,900.00

Proposal prepared by (name & title): Dr. Gordon Frankie, Professor, 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 ___10/29/2019______

Clear Form Survey of native bee species and their host flowers in urban Brentwood, Contra Costa Co.

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 renewed 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) and blue orchard bees (Osmia lignaria) have been used to provide crop pollination services. Chaplin-Kramer et al. (2011) estimated that up to 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. Report on this study from 2010- 2017 is published (Frankie et al. (2019) Survey of Native and Honey Bees from Agricultural Brentwood and their Constructed Bee Gardens in Northern California, 2010-2018. Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society 91(4): 310- 331, (3 September 2019)). The overarching goal of this project, which started in 2017, is to systemically sample native bees and their flower hosts in urban Brentwood during the main flowering season of 2018 (complete) and 2019 (March-September) and compare this inventory with sampled collections from adjacent agricultural Brentwood farms. Early findings suggest that native bees may be moving seasonally between agricultural fields and urban areas, and vice versa. We also will be sharing our findings with several audiences.

The project corresponds with the following requirements of Section 13103: a. Public education relating to scientific principles by providing farmers, elementary schools and residents with hands-on workshops and presentations, and printed and online education materials i. Scientific fish and wildlife research conducted by institutions of higher learning, qualified researchers, or governmental agencies, if approved by department

Progress in 2019 from last year’s CCC grant

We sampled bees numerous times in a variety of urban garden environments during 2019 throughout urban Brentwood. The city continues to develop with new housing projects in a patch work of sites where there used to be large vacant lots. Of interest is the fact that many ornamental plantings associated with the developments are plants that are also attractive to native bees. We noted that bee flowers are found widely scattered in gardens within urban Brentwood. This mosaic of bee plants necessitated spending considerable time traveling around the urban area locating gardens and public garden corridors, which we noted for future reference. We also met homeowners who were enthusiastic about our work and the stories we shared. It clear that we have just scratched the surface of the native bee story of urban Brentwood. In 2017 we collected 38 bee species and associated host flower records. In 2018 we added 24 more species for a cumulative 2-year total of 62 species. Also of great interest was the fact that 10 of 62 have only been collected in urban Brentwood compared to the bee species list from Ag Brentwood (where we have collected 144 bee species over an 8-yr period (2010-2018). We are currently processing 867 bee specimens from the 2019 urban Brentwood collections (we expect this number to reach 1200 by the end of the current grant period in March 2020).

1 We have also been sampling native bee species from nearby Mt. Diablo State Park and vicinity from a small grant from "Save Mt. Diablo". We have a state permit to collect at that area. We expect that this coming year we will have enough data for a comparative table of agricultural and urban Brentwood and Mt. Diablo to evaluate the similarities and contrasts in native bee species among the 3 sites, which will give a regional picture of the natives. Based on our cumulative data to date, we expect to present a list of up to 300 bee species. We shared many of our research findings with Brentwood farmers as well as with local residents in Brentwood, directly on a one-on-one basis. We also shared these findings with other audiences in California and beyond through invited presentations (list is available upon request). We have a policy of distributing our research findings to audiences for their general information and also with the hope of learning how the information is viewed through questions and feedback that we receive.

Project schedule

Apr. – Oct. 2020: Monitor bees in urban Brentwood to develop a relatively complete inventory of bees from this environment. Oct. – Nov. 2020: Bee species identification; compare bee inventories for similar and dissimilar bee spp. between urban and agricultural Brentwood Oct. – Mar. 2021: 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, which we regularly work with in the greater SF Bay Area.

Methods

Bee monitoring will be conducted using a standard procedure to assess diversity and abundance. Aerial collecting will be used. In addition to this, 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 (1 tsp. blue Dawn dish soap in 1/2 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. We will also be adding bee plants to some urban gardens to increase attraction of bees.

Project Budget

Expenses Amount in $ Travel Round-trip from Berkeley to Brentwood; 15 trips @ $54.52/trip (0.58 per mile) $817.80 Materials and Supplies Purchase of bee plants $450.00 Insect curating supplies $832.20 Poster, presentation and outreach supplies $1000.00 Personnel Bee taxonomist Jaime Pawelek will be hired on a contract basis to ID bees; $50/hr for $2800.00 56 hrs Total Direct Costs: $5900.00 Total Grant Request: $5900.00

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 for several years in the UC Berkeley Bee Lab, and is one of only about a dozen or so taxonomists in the country that can do species-level bee identifications.

2 We are expecting to collect more bees in 2020 as we have located several more sites for collections. This upcoming year in 2020, we plan to start collections the first week of April.

These bee collections also the include host plant data of each bee species. This is very important information that allows us to make comparisons with the agricultural Brentwood collections. When we know which plants to install to attract the greatest diversity and abundance of bees, we can pass this information to urban residents through the UC Master Gardeners program and through NGOs. Our findings have practical applications; our plant-bee information can be used to guide residents who desire to construct bee habitat gardens that will serve as sources of bee populations.

Dr. Rollin Coville volunteers his time to photograph bees and their host plants, and makes his outstanding photography available to us to use for research publications and for outreach to the public. We also rely on the help of volunteer undergraduate researchers, who do much of the work of pinning and labeling our bee specimens, and assist in the field with bee collections. These specimens are being databased, and will be part of the UC Essig Museum collection, where they will be made available to anyone in the future doing similar research, especially long-term research comparing bee diversity between areas.

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. UC governance consists of three bodies: the President (Mark Yudof), the 26-member Board of Regents, and the Academic Senate (for more information, see: www.universityofcalifornia.edu/aboutuc/governance.html). Affiliated organizations include the National Science Federation, National Institute of Health, Environmental Protection agency, and various state agencies. UC Berkeley's annual budget is approximately $3 billion.

Should this proposal be selected for funding, the University requests terms and conditions which are suitable to a non-profit, educational institution. Such terms musts abide by our Policy Guidelines Governing Openness and Freedom to Publish (more info here: http:/www.spo.berkeley.edu/calmessages/publish.html).

Statement describing qualifications of sponsoring organization and participating individuals

For more than 20 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. See our 2 lay publications on our CA bee work (Frankie et al. 2014; Jadallah et al. 2018). Dr. Gordon Frankie has been a faculty member of the ESPM Department in the College of Natural Resources (CNR) at UC Berkeley since 1976. 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. -Project Supervision: Dr. Gordon Frankie, Principal Investigator -Project Team: Lab Manager: Sara Witt; Bee Taxonomist: Jaime Pawelek

Statement describing the status of permit approvals necessary to perform project

N/A

3 B Mills College: Can wildlife stomach anthropogenic change? – Page 1 of 3

Can wildlife stomach anthropogenic change?: Gut microbiomes of free-living mammals across the lifespan in variable environments (J.E. Smith)

Application Cover Page & Project Description: The project addresses education (a), scientific research (i), and conservation (m) goals of Section 13103.

Benefits of Understanding the Gut Microbiome of Wildlife In a rapidly changing world, anthropogenic modification of wildlife habitat is a key driver of ecological change (1, 2). However, only recently have biologists started to consider the largely hidden effects of habitat change on the microbial world of natural systems and their associated health and welfare implications for native wildlife (3). Genomic approaches are uncovering an astonishingly diverse microbial world. The human body houses trillions of symbiotic micro- organisms and ones in the gut (the “microbiome”) profoundly affect human health (4, 5). We know comparatively little about these effects for wildlife. Although disparate evidence suggests that environmental conditions (9, 10), social factors (11, 12), seasonal variation (13, 14), parasite loads (15), developmental stage (16, 17), sex differences (18) and stress physiology (19) explain microbiome diversity, few studies simultaneously track multiple factors for free-living animals.

Here we propose to capitalize upon one such study. Since 2013, undergraduates from Mills College (a Hispanic-serving women’s college) have monitored the life history traits, behavior, and stress physiology of individually-recognized members of two populations (that differ in levels of habitat modification) of California ground squirrels (Otospermophilus beecheyi) at Briones Regional Park in Contra Costa County. This system offers a valuable model for examining the effects of multiple factors on the microbiome of wildlife across time (20). This work should offer myriad of insights to this burgeoning field (6, 7) by documenting how habitat modification influences an individual’s microbiome and overall health across the lifespan (8).

Previous grants from the Contra Costa Propagation Fund revealed that: (i) social traits influence the potential for parasite transmission (21) and (ii) anthropogenic influences (including habitat modification and disturbance) explain population-level differences in stress physiology, foraging behavior and body condition (22, 23). Should this grant be funded, we aim to investigate the factors contributing to the microbiome diversity and associated consequences for California ground squirrels residing at our two field sites at Briones. Understanding the microbial properties of this wild mammal in Contra Costa County should provide insights into the extent to which anthropogenic alterations to habitat disrupt or otherwise shape microbiota diversity.

Proposed Research Project The specific goals of this project are to: (1) track the health of a wildlife population by monitoring animals from two study populations (e.g. pristine vs. disturbed), (2) characterize the alpha and beta diversity of the microbiomes for free-living mammals across developmental stages and time, and (3) elucidate the fitness consequences of the gut microbiome. California ground squirrels residing at Briones Regional Park will be used to test the hypotheses that: (1) microbiome diversity and composition vary: a) between populations that vary in their habitat modification, b) across life stages and with reproductive state, c) among individuals experiencing various social and ecological conditions, and d) within and among years and (2) microbiome traits influence the survival and reproduction of wild animals. We therefore seek to understand how the microbiota and reproductive outcomes vary between (e.g., degree of habitat alteration) and within populations by age, sex, reproductive status, and social traits.

Mills College: Can wildlife stomach anthropogenic change? – Page 2 of 3

Completed Work & Proposed Methods for New Project Testing these hypotheses will require an integrated approach. Since June 2013, members of the Smith Lab of Mills College (“Team Squirrel”) have monitored 100 – 200 individually- recognizable squirrels each year. As part of the Briones Long-term Study of California Ground Squirrels, we regularly live-trap, mark [e.g., unique symbol with Nyanzol cattle dye, Monel ear tag, Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT tags)], release and observe these animals. Each summer, most subjects are trapped twice every two weeks. Since 2015, we have collected paired samples from the same individuals for each week of trapping: (i) ectoparasites and fecal samples for analysis of (ii) stress hormones and (iii) microbiome. All fecal samples are collected in a Ziploc bag and kept on ice until moved to a -80℃ freezer prior to analysis. Thus, this sampling regime allows us to collect paired samples of parasite loads, baseline stress, and the microbiome for the same individuals across time. For microbiome analysis, we will extract DNA extraction using a PowerSoil DNA Isolation kit. 16S rRNA sequencing will reveal the relative abundance of each genera (e.g., Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, Firmicutes and Tenericutes) and diversity (alpha and beta) using a validated method for our study species and system.

Timeline for Project Completion From June 2020 to May 2021, we would use the requested funds to collect (new samples in 2020) and analyze fecal samples (stored in -80℃ freezer since 2015) from California ground squirrels residing in Contra Costa County. This would allow for microbial analysis of fecal samples collected across our multi-year study (2015-2020) at Briones Regional Park. “Team Squirrel” has now collected thousands of fecal samples for which the identity of the squirrel and its environmental conditions are known. Although we currently possess the necessary equipment for this work and funds to support undergraduate training for this project, we currently lack funds for microbiome research. Your support would therefore crucially allow for us to document microbiome profiles across the entire lives of these animals (~ 3-5 years) for two wildlife populations in Contra Costa County.

Advancing Knowledge and Informing Wildlife Management Techniques The study will provide scientific insights about wildlife in Contra Costa County. First, we will establish a database documenting variation in the microbiome for wild vertebrates. These results will contribute to multiple research papers. This project will benefit the wildlife of Contra Costa County by documenting the diversity and stability of the microbiota for free- living mammals living in disturbed and pristine habitats. This work will also support studies on how the microbiome shapes behavioral phenotypes (24, 25) [e.g., risk-taking (16)] and social behavior (26) [e.g., kin-biased cooperation (27, 28)]. Because habitat modification is often suggested as a viable management technique, we will also report our findings for this native mammal to various agencies and to the Vertebrate Pest Conference to support their goals of advancing environmentally safe Vertebrate Pest Management methodologies.

Educational Training of a Diverse Group of Women This project will educate the next generation of scientists by preparing local women, including ethnic minorities native to Contra Costa County, to break through potential barriers to their success in science. Because women continue to be underrepresented in the sciences, training female scientists is extremely important. Female undergraduates will be central to this research, receiving important training in how to trap animals, take samples, perform assays, author manuscripts, and present their findings at symposia. This project will also contribute to the dissertation research of, Erin Person, a female doctoral student at the University of California Berkeley. The principal investigator (J.E. Smith) and her students will also share their results at professional meetings and with lay audiences. Mills College: Can wildlife stomach anthropogenic change? – Page 3 of 3

Public Education in Contra Costa County: Our team will continue to share the results of our long-term project with members of Contra Costa County community. We regularly interact with members of the public and educational programs (e.g., Tinkergarten) at Briones Regional Park. We also host learning activities at venues such as Lindsey Wildlife’s EcoFest, the Bay Area Science Festival, and local high schools. We educate the public about the benefits of animal welfare and conservation as well as about the biological principles of backyard wildlife. We also aim to share our results at the Annual Fish and Wildlife Committee Fall Forum. This project will train women to become stewards of the wildlife in Contra Costa County and beyond. Without your support, the valuable insights and educational training of this project will be impossible.

4) Project Budget 16s Ribosomal RNA Sequencing at Microbiome Insights: 250 samples * $60 each (after negotiated 10% educational discount) = $15,000 $15,000 DNeasy PowerSoil Kit from Qiagen; Cat No.:12888: 200 samples*100 samples/kit = 2 kits @ $593.22 each + 50 samples*50 samples/kit = 1 kit @ $322.80 each (includes shipping) $916 Pipette Tips: 20ul pipette tips (960 each): USA Scientific Catalog #: 1123-1810, Sterile TipOne filter tips = $64.20*2 = $128.40, 100ul pipette tips (960): USA Scientific Catalog #: 1126-7810, Sterile TipOne filter tip = $76.85, 2 boxes of 100 latex gloves = $53.29 $259 Ace Hardware: 2*20 lb. Bags of Sunflower Seeds (for bait) $37 Ziploc snack bags for newly collected fecal samples from live-trapped squirrels (500 count) $19 TOTAL BUDGET (including taxes, educational discounts, and shipping, as appropriate) $16,231

5-7) Institution: Mills College is a Hispanic-serving liberal arts college in Oakland, CA with an operating budget of roughly $81.3 million. Our undergraduate student body is comprised entirely of women; 43% are first-generation college students, 63% are women of color, 98% depend on financial aid. Katie Sanborn chairs the Board of Trustees (https://www.mills.edu/uniquely- mills/leadership-team/board-of-trustees/index.php). The Jill Barrett Research Program in Biology at Mills College (www.mills.edu/academics/undergraduate/bio/Barrett-Research- Program.php), with an annual budget of $90,000 to provide undergraduates women with stipends to conduct the proposed research field research and educational training in Contra Costa County.

8) Participants & Qualifications: Dr. Jennifer E. Smith will be the principal investigator and undergraduate mentor for the project. She is a tenured Associate Professor of Biology and Department Chair, and Barrett Program Director at Mills College. She is internationally recognized for her research on the behavioral ecology of mammals, and her more than 20-year record includes long-term field studies of free-living mammals. Her C.V. and information about her research, mentoring, teaching and publications are on-line: www.JenniferElaineSmith.com.

9) Permits: My Scientific Collecting Permit (SC121450) is valid through 2021 and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed the project’s eligibility to receive funds.

Literature cited 1. Fischer et al., Glob. Ecol. Biogeogr. 16 (2007), 265–280. 2. Hammond, T.T., Ortiz-Jimenez, C.A., Smith, J. E., Integr. Comp. Biol. (2020). 3. Teyssier et al., Sci. Total Environ. 612, 1276–1286 (2018). 4. Bäckhed et al., Cell Host Microbe. 12, 611 622 (2012). 5. Ubeda et al., Trends Immunol. 33 (2012), 459–466. 6. Ezenwa et al., Science 338 (2012), 198–199. 7. McFall Ngai et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 110 (2013), 3229–3236. 8. Rosshart et al., Cell. 171, 1015-1028 (2017). 9. Guan et al., AMB Express. 6, 98 (2016). 10. Guan et al., AMB Express. 7, 212 (2017). 11. Grieneisen et al., Integr. Comp. Biol. 57, 770–785 (2017). 12. Tung et al., Elife (2015), doi: 10.7554/eLife. 05224.001. 13. Orkin et al., ISME J. 13, 183–196 (2019). 14. Maurice et al., ISME J. 9, 2423–2434 (2015). 15. Kreisinger et al., Philos. Trans. R. Soc. B Biol. Sci. 370, 20140295 (2015). 16. Heijtz et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 108, 3047–3052 (2011). 17. Arrieta et al., The intestinal microbiome in early life: Health and disease. Front. Immunol. 5 (2014), p. 427. 18. Sylvia et al., Brain. Behav. Immun. 60, 51–62 (2017). 19. Stothart et al., Biol. Lett. 12, 20150875 (2016). 20. Smith, J.E. et al. Mamm. Species. 48, 91–108 (2016). 21. Smith, J.E. et al., Philos. Trans. R. Soc. B Biol. Sci. 373, 20170249 (2018). 22. Ortiz, E. L. Pendleton, K. L. Newcomb, Smith, J. E., Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 73, 42 (2019). 23. Hammond et al….Smith, J. E., J. Mammal. 100, 1928-1940 (2019). 24. Archie et al., Anim. Behav. 82, 425–436 (2011). 25. Ezenwa et al., BioEssays. 36, 847–854 (2014). 26. Smith, J.E. et al., Anim. Behav. 92, 291–304 (2014). 27. Archie et al., Curr. Opin. Behav.

Sci. 6, 28–34 (2015). 28. Lizé et al., Trends Ecol. Evol. 28, 325–326 (2013). Office Use Only: Contra Costa County 2020 Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund Application Cover Page Final report C Project title: Alhambra Native Plant Trail

Organization/Individual applying: Friends of Alhambra Creek (FOAC)

Organization type: other (explain) X Group of citizen volunteers for the betterment of the Alhambra Creek Watershed Fiscal Sponsor: Contra Costa County Resource Conservation District Tax ID 94-255-0002 The CCRCD is a 170 © 1 Contact Information: Heidi Petty, Watershed Coordinator 5552 Clayton Rd, Concord, CA 94521, (925) 672-6522 x 107

Address: Friends of Alhambra Creek, c/o Elaine Jackson, 3311 Estudillo St., Martinez CA 94553

Telephone: 925.372.0687

Email: [email protected]

Name and title of contact person: Elaine Jackson

One sentence summary of proposal: We are requesting funding to add additional native plants and garden enhancements for our existing gardens. Perhaps future new gardens may come into play, and the printing cost of our Alhambra Native Plant Trail brochure

Requested grant: $611

Proposal prepared by: Elaine Jackson

Signature Signed on 11 05 2019 Alhambra Native Plant Trail

1. Signed Application Cover Page (attached) 2. Description: We are requesting $611 to purchase additional native plants, plant identification signs, & soil enhancements to our existing sites & possibly future new sites on the Alhambra Native Plant Trail and the printing of our brochure that we offer at several local environmental events. Having the brochure available to visitors may encourage them to visit our gardens, want to find out more about the beneficial use of native plants and possibly learn about biological adaptations and the interdependence of native plants and wildlife. 2a. How this project will benefit the fish and wildlife of Contra Costa County This ongoing project has direct benefits to wildlife and creates an opportunity to teach volunteers and visitors about the importance of native plants and wildlife. Because native plants have evolved alongside native fauna organisms, they have developed resistances to pests and are less likely to be affected by them, eliminating the need for artificial herbicides and pesticides. Direct benefits to wildlife are provision of forage, cover, and nesting areas for insects, local birds, and small mammals. 2b. This project meets the requirements of Section 13103 of the Fish and Game Code: “(e) Improvement of fish and wildlife habitat, including…. Planting trees and other vegetation management.”, and “ (a) Public education relating to the scientific principles of fish and wildlife conservation...”

PROJECT BACKGROUND: Since 2010 Friends of Alhambra Creek has worked with schools, homeowners, businesses, non-profits and government entities to create a mosaic of small habitat plots of native plant communities along a meandering walking/biking route 3.5 miles from the Martinez Intermodal/Amtrak station to the John Muir National Historic Site. The goal is to educate residents about our native flora and to create a wildlife corridor throughout Martinez to attract birds, butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects. With these gardens, we seek to: • provide demonstration sites of native plant communities to encourage home plantings, • heighten awareness and appreciation of Alhambra Creek, and • engage downtown business & residential property owners in contributing to local habitat improvement.

In 2010, this project was awarded a technical assistance grant from the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program. In 2012, the Contra Costa Fish &Wildlife Committee provided $1,060. Those funds purchased plants, soil amendment, and signs. Since that time the name of the project has been changed from the Creek Botanical Trail to the Alhambra Native Plant Trail. In 2015-16 the Contra Costa Fish & Wildlife again provided us the funding of $1090 for same, purchases of plant, soil amendment, and signage and again in 2018 $980 to keep our gardens going.

We have 13 public and 7 (not all listed) private gardens. 2 School gardens, hoping to add a 3rd. The private gardens are sidewalk border plantings, some visible to pedestrians. The more public sites are:

DOWNTOWN MARTINEZ GARDENS: • Martinez Senior Center, 818 Green St. • Martinez Chamber/Amtrak Office, 603 Marina Vista Ave. • Ward St. Garden parking lot 800 block of Ward St. • I’ve Been Framed Shop & Gallery, 411 Ferry St.(pots) • Arlington Way Round, Arlington Way (needs refreshing) • Native Garden at Castro & Escobar Streets • Kiwanis Club of Martinez 750 Allen St. • Southport Land Co 610 Court Street. • 2 pots at the Martinez Museum (always need a refresh) • Martinez Library, 740 Court St, in the Reading Garden • 2 small private gardens on Green St. (needs refreshing) • Private garden on Brown St.

ALHAMBRA AVENUE GARDENS: • Les Schwab Tire Center, 3800 Alhambra Ave. • Alhambra Avenue & E Street (north of Alhambra High • John Muir National Historic Site Visitor Center, 4202 School) Alhambra

SCHOOL GARDENS: • John Swett School 4955 Alhambra Valley Rd. • Las Juntas School 4105 Pacheco Blvd. • In transition John Muir School 205 Vista Way * *Hope to add new garden when new school is built. Working with the City on a native garden in the park next to John Muir School. With funding from the CCF&W in 2020-21 we will be able to maintain these gardens

3. Project Schedule: The overall project is ongoing started in 2010. This grant will provide money for the 2021 year to purchase new plants, signage, and print more brochures.

4. Project Budget This proposal requests funds for purchasing. 33 1 gal plants, 6 bags of soil amendment, plant labels/garden signs, & trail brochures. Plants will be purchased from Native Here Nursery or from other qualified sources. Price ea. With Quantity tax Total

Soil amendment, per bag 6 $8.00 48

Plant labels and garden signs 100

Brochure printing 100 PLANTS New garden plants in 1-gallon containers: Variety of native shrubs/forbes, some grasses 33 $11.00 363

TOTAL GRANT REQUEST 611

5. Annual budget for the applying organization (Not itemized). $0 The Friends of Alhambra Creek is an informal organization with no official tax status and no membership dues. We accomplish work through partnerships, donations, volunteer labor and occasional grants managed by our fiscal sponsor the Contra Costa RCD.

6. Statement describing the applying organization, listing the Board of Directors, and officers of the organization, and listing all affiliated organizations.

While there are no Board of Directors or officers, organizations affiliated with the Friends of Alhambra Creek include the National Park Service, City of Martinez, California Native Plant Society, Martinez Chamber of Commerce, John Swett Elementary (Martinez Unified School District), John Muir Association, Contra Costa Resource Conservation District and the Alhambra Watershed Council.

7. Statement describing the qualifications of the sponsoring organization and participating individuals for completing the project.

Friends of Alhambra Creek (FOAC) was formed in the mid-1990s by Kathy Radke. The organization has a positive track record for projects all around the City of Martinez and the Alhambra Watershed. FOAC was instrumental in implementing the Strentzel Meadow enhancement project since 2000. FOAC has also been instrumental in the creating of the Native Habitat Garden at the John Muir NHS Visitor Center, which was created in 2007. Working with the City and the Water Board, we hope to enhance some creek banks. The stretch would start at the Railroad tracks and go to the Jr. High School.

Alhambra Native Plant Trail PROJECT PARTNERS: • Friends of Alhambra Creek provides project leadership and organization; conducts community outreach to promote the project, and coordinates all the partners. • The National Park Service maintains the largest of the gardens; works with volunteers, and students participating in garden design, site preparation and plant installation. • City of Martinez provides irrigation and some maintenance on city-owned plots. • California Native Plant Society (East Bay Chapter) provides information for outreach materials.

8. List individuals responsible for performing project and of individuals responsible of overseeing project. Performing and overseeing is handled by our core team, FOAC members Elaine Jackson, Lisa Gorrell, Diane Viera, Vickie Dawes, Cheryl Able, Diane Coventry, Muir volunteers Mary Wolkenhauer, Jeannine Gender, Dorrie Langley & Brenda Miguel

9. Statement describing the status of permit approvals necessary to perform project (if Applicable) N/A D

2) Description of the project for which funding is requested: The Friends of Pinole Creek Watershed (FoPCW) request $1,400.00 to purchase local native plants and gardening supplies for the Pinole Library Native Plant Garden and other highly visible sites along the banks of Pinole Creek. Public outreach and education are important goals of this project. Pinole Library is an ideal site for public outreach because it is adjacent to the banks of Pinole Creek and serves as a vital community center. In conjunction with the Pinole Library Native Plant Garden workdays, FoPCW will distribute information about Pinole Creek Watershed’s native fish, wildlife, and plants and urge the community to join us in protecting these treasured natural resources.

PROJECT BACKGROUND: FoPCW established the Pinole Library Native Plant Garden in 2003 with a grant award from the Contra Costa County Fish & Wildlife Committee (CCCF&WC). Recognizing the need for a major overhaul at the garden, we held two workdays in 2019. In May, thirty volunteers sheet-mulched more than 1,000 sq. ft. of non-native grasses. In November, we planted a first round of native plants to supplement well-established native perennials from the original planting.

We collaborated with Earth Team’s Sustainable Youth Internship Program at Pinole Valley High School. Earth Team is a nonprofit organization that promotes student leadership and environmental awareness.

The first step for both FoPCW and Earth Team students was to organize information about local native plant communities. Earth Team interns presented their research to FoPCW and we provided feedback. Ultimately, the students chose which plants to add to the garden. On the day of the planting, students gave a presentation about their investigations to the assembled volunteers.

In March, 2019, Earth Team led a community service day at Pinole Valley Community Church, next to the library on the opposite bank of Pinole Creek. Volunteers planted native plants along the creek adjacent to the sidewalk on well-traveled Pinole Valley Road.

With funding from the CCF&W Wildlife Propagation Fund, we will be able to expand these programs in 2020-21, as we further FoPCW’s mission: To assure the return of Pinole Creek to a natural riparian environment that can sustain native riparian wildlife including anadromous fish, water fowl, and migratory bird species. At every garden workday we will provide information about Pinole Creek Watershed’s native fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats.

2a. How this project will benefit the fish and wildlife of Contra Costa County: The proposed project has direct benefits to wildlife and creates an opportunity to teach the public about the importance of native plants and wildlife. Native plants provide forage, cover, and nesting areas for pollinators and other native insects, birds, and mammals. Because native plants have evolved alongside native fauna, they have developed resistance to pests, eliminating the need for artificial herbicides and pesticides.

2 2b. This project meets the requirements of Section 13103 of the Fish and Game Code: This project meets the requirements of Section 13103 of the Fish & Game Code, section (e) “Improvement of fish and wildlife habitat, including…. Planting trees and other vegetation management.”, and (a) “Public education relating to the scientific principles of fish and wildlife conservation...”

2c. Acknowledgement for Fish & Wildlife Committee funding An interpretive sign at the Pinole Library Native Plant Garden acknowledges the CCCF&WC’s past financial support. FoPCW will acknowledge new financial contributions in our newsletter and at events.

3) Project schedule - The project must be completed within a year from the date you receive notification of funding (by Spring/Summer 2021).

FoPCW will use awarded funds to purchase plants, gardening supplies, and outreach materials for four or more workdays. At least three events will be held at the Pinole Library Native Plant Garden: Spring 2020, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021. We will also collaborate with Earth Team for at least one student-led community service day event at the Pinole Library or another site accessible to the public. Our first workday is planned for May 2020 in conjunction with Pinole’s Community Service Day.

4) Project budget (itemized). SUPPLIES and SERVICES Quantity Price ea. with tax Delivery Total Mulch, cu. yd. 5 $30.00 $70.00 $220.00 Galvanized rolled chicken wire, 50ft 2 $25.90 $51.80 Landscaping field stone for trail, tons 1 $180.00 $70.00 $250.00 Work gloves for volunteers, pack of 12 2 $27.50 $55.00 Hand trowels for volunteers 10 $6.50 $65.00 Hori Hori Soil knife 1 $30.00 $30.00 Plant labels 20 $4.50 $90.00 Paper and printing $100.00 PLANTS 1-gallon or larger, up to $12 wo tax 6 $13.20 $79.20 D-40s up to $7.50 wo tax 4 $8.25 $33.00 D-16s up to $6.00 wo tax 20 $6.60 $132.00 3" and 4" container, up to $7.00 wo tax 20 $7.70 $154.00 FISCAL SPONSER FEE $140.00 TOTAL GRANT REQUEST $1,400.00 1-gallon or larger: Iris douglasiana (Douglas iris) or similar D-40 containers: Salvia mellifera (Black sage), Symphoricarpus alba (Snowberry), Ceanothus varieties, Ribes aureum (Golden currant) or similar D-16 containers: Achillea millefolium (Yarrow), Erigeron glaucus (seaside daisy), Penstemon heterophyllus (Beardtongue penstemon), Phacelia, Salvia mellifera (Black sage), Scrophularia californica (California bee plant) or similar 3” and 4” container: Fragaria vesca (Woodland strawberry; 4"), Mimulus cardinalis (Scarlet monkeyflower; 4"), Sidalcea malviflora (checker mallow [checkerbloom]; 4"), Stachys picnantha (shortspike hedgenettle; 4"), Oenotera elta spp. Hookeri (Hooker's evening primrose; 3"), Eriogonum (any bucket spp.; 3") or similar

3 5) Annual budget for the applying organization (not itemized). The Friends of Pinole Creek Watershed is a grassroots community organization with no official tax status or membership dues. As of November 2019 our fiscal resources are $5,567. Our fiscal sponsor, The Watershed Project, manages grant awards and retains 10% of income.

The contact for The Watershed Project is Juliana Gonzalez, Executive Director Email: [email protected] Phone: (510) 665-3430

6) Statement describing the applying organization, listing the Board of Directors and officers of the organization, and listing all affiliated organizations. FoPCW’s board of directors have expertise with local wildlife, native plants, and education:

FOPCW DIRECTOR EXPERTISE and AFFILIATIONS Carol Arnold Resource Conservation; FoPCW co-founder Tim McDonough Civil Engineering; Contra Costa Master Gardner Ann Moriarty Science Curricula at Lawrence Hall of Science; Pinole Planning Commission Bert Mulchaey Biologist, East Bay Municipal Utilities District Carol Thompson Preschool Director; Pinole Planning Commission Bill Voigt Research Biologist; GIS Analyst Contra Costa Resource Conservation District (CCRCD) provides staff support to FoPCW’s volunteer board of directors. While the non-profit Earth Team is not formally affiliated with FoPCW, the two groups have a long history of successful collaboration based on a shared commitment to providing opportunities for youth leadership. 7) Statement describing the qualifications of the sponsoring organization and participating individuals for completing the project. Since 2001, FoPCW has promoted the recovery of federally protected steelhead trout, wildlife, and native plants, and has championed restorations throughout the watershed. Pinole Creek has regional significance as one of a few viable steelhead runs within San Francisco and San Pablo Bays. The Pinole Creek Fish Passage Project, completed in October 2016, makes an important contribution to the recovery of native steelhead trout populations.

Director Tim McDonough led the installation and maintenance of the original Pinole Valley Library Garden. All FoPCW directors took part in building public support for the Fish Passage Project and other restoration projects such as the Pavon Creeks restoration in the upper watershed and the Pinole Creek Demonstration Project at the mouth of the creek. FoPCW has organized annual clean-ups and other volunteer events for almost twenty years.

8) List of individuals responsible for performing project and of individuals responsible for overseeing project. The FoPCW volunteer board members listed above share responsibility for project planning and implementation. In addition, FoPCW has a small core group of volunteers who consistently contribute to the success of FoPCW events. CCRCD provides watershed coordinator services for FoPCW.

9) No permits are required. 10) NO REQUEST for an exception to the grant funding cost reimbursement requirement.

4 E

FISH AND WILDLIFE PROPAGATION FUND GRANT APPLICATION JOHN SWETT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Requested Amount: $20,000

Background The John Swett Unified School District has two adjacent school sites in the town of Crockett in Contra Costa County. Our middle and high school sit at the bottom of a major watershed that conveys water from the Cummings Skyway, down the hillside forming Edwards Creek, into an underground culvert that passes under our two schools, through the lower part of Crockett and the C & H Sugar Factory, and empties into the Carquinez Strait. This waterway passes through the Crockett Hills Regional Park that is part of the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD). Located outside of the town of Crockett, the 1,939 acres of Crockett Hills Regional Park were likely hunting and gathering grounds for Native Americans, later were nineteenth century ranch-lands, and more recently were part of the industrial history of the region. The original ranch barn, milk-house, and corrals can still be seen in the Crockett Ranch staging and picnic area. The park ranges in elevation from 150-800 feet, offering views of San Pablo Bay, the Delta, Mount Tamalpais, and Mount Diablo. Trails include a 4.5-mile segment of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. The park's grasslands provide habitat to western meadowlark, horned lark, house finch, western bluebird, and American goldfinch. Valley oaks offer perches and nest sites for the red-tailed hawk, American kestrel, golden eagle, northern harrier, great horned owl, and barn owl. Cooper's hawks depend on the riparian ravines for nesting and for providing cover for ambushing prey. Mammals include the gray fox, mule deer, raccoon, eastern fox squirrel, Botta's pocket gopher, and other species. Small rodents are prey to gopher snakes, sharp-tailed snakes, and western garter snakes. In addition, this area is also part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. The Bay Area Ridge Trail is a planned 550-mile multi-use trail along the hill and mountain ridgelines ringing the San Francisco Bay Area, in Northern California. When complete, the trail will connect over 75 parks and open spaces. This is a valued and cherished area that serves families throughout our school district community.

Current Project The John Swett Unified School District has embarked on an ambitious building plan to replace our decaying middle school building and to refurbish our high school. This plan includes a brand new building, new parking and playfields, and new athletic facilities. In addition, we are partnering with the Bay Area Ridge Trail to help complete the loop by providing a safe route through our campus and facilities. As part of our projects, we are also rehabilitating our underground culvert that conveys water from the watershed to the Bay. This rehabilitation includes concrete repairs, new inlets, and the installation of a debris rack to keep trash and unwanted debris out of our underground culvert and ultimately the Carquinez Strait. The funds requested in this proposal will help us pay for and install the debris rack.

Rationale and Benefits to Fish and Wildlife Each year trash and debris finds its way into our underground culvert. In most cases this debris flows through our facility and lands in the Carquinez strait which poses potential harm to fish and wildlife. In some cases the trash and debris gets lodged in the banks Edwards Creek that flows into and out of our culvert. Again, we see this as detrimental to local habitat and detracts from the natural beauty of the area surrounding our school sites. As part of our facility project, we have designed a debris rack that will capture this unwanted trash and debris, allowing cleaning crews from the East Bay Regional Park to be better able to remove the accumulated garbage. Working with EBRPD, we will install this debris rack at the mouth of our culvert which is located on the edge of Crockett Hills Community Park. Our trash and debris rack design has already been approved by the Division of State Architects (DSA). While we have some jurisdictional issues to work out with the East Bay Regional Park, we would like to get this trash and debris rack installed earlier than later.

Use of Funds Our facility projects are extensive and expensive, and our funds are going to be stretched in order to complete all aspects of the project. As such, we are exploring every funding source possible. The funds from this grant will be used to purchase three sections of galvanized pipe, 3 feet in length, concrete for footings that are four feet deep and twenty inches wide, and the associated installation of these materials. In addition, our plans call for the installation of a chain link fence to keep people away from the mouth of our culvert and from disturbing this section of Edwards Creek.

Anticipated Itemized Costs (Overaa Construction to Install) and Schedule: Construction Materials (Pipe, Concrete, Fencing, Braced Line Posts Wooden Forms): $15,000 Installation (including operating in creek area and diverting water temporarily): $60,000 Installation to occur in August of 2020, when water flow in Edward’s Creek is low Persons Responsible: Mike Conrad, Project Direct and Charles Miller, Superintendent Permit approvals to be coordinated with EBRPD if applicable.

Governing Board: Barbara Vargen-Kotchevar, Deborah Brandon, Marina Ramos, Shane Reinhart, Jerry Parsons JSUSD Annual Budget: $18M

Conclusion In the critical analysis, the funds from this grant will result in significant improvements in the habitat for fish and wildlife in the area and enhance our community. Thank you for your consideration.

Office Use Only: Contra Costa County 2020 Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund Application Cover Page F Project title: Watershed Action Program

Organization/Individual applying: KIDS for the BAY (Organization type: non-profit)

Address: 1771 Alcatraz Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94703

Telephone: 510-985-1602 Fax: 510-547-4259

E-mail: [email protected]

Name and title of contact person: Asha Bucklin, Communications Manager

One sentence summary of proposal: KIDS for the BAY is seeking a $6,000 grant to deliver the Watershed Action Program and to fund eight bay and delta Field Trips for students and teachers from low-income Contra Costa County schools, which will teach students about the scientific 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.

Requested grant: $6,000

Proposal prepared by (name & title): Asha Bucklin, Development and Communications Manager

Signature:

Date: 12/17/2019 KIDS for the BAY Funding Request to the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund

KIDS for the BAY (KftB) is requesting a $6,000 grant from the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund to support our Watershed Action Program (WAP). Funding will be used to support eight bay and delta Field Trips for low-income third, fourth, and fifth grade classes in El Cerrito, Pittsburg, Antioch, Hercules, and Richmond. Outreach to target schools will begin in August 2020 and will be finalized by October 2020. The WAP uses multiple ways to teach students about fish and wildlife conservation including hands-on science lessons that support Next Generation Science Standards, and fostering environmental stewardship of the local watershed in Contra Costa County through Environmental Action Projects and trash clean-ups.

Project Description Our WAP directly benefits and empowers classes of elementary school students and their teachers in interactive Classroom Lessons that stimulate critical thinking through hands-on environmental science activities. Students and teachers plan and implement empowering, place-based Environmental Action Projects that foster environmental stewardship. They participate in engaging, nature-based creek, bay and delta Field Trips that connect students and teachers to their local watershed. KftB’s experiential, in-depth Teacher Training Model ensures that teachers are confident and well-equipped to continue teaching our programs year after year. KIDS for the BAY is committed to equitable access to environmental education for all children and to restoring a healthy environment for all communities. WAP goals for the 2020 – 2021 school year for our partner schools:  200 students will increase their knowledge of watershed science in the classroom and in the field and became stewards of their local watershed  Eight teachers will increase their confidence in using the local watershed as an educational resource and in empowering students to become environmental stewards  The WAP will be integrated into the curricula and culture of partner schools and engage the school principals, teachers, students, and their families in environmental science education and stewardship.

Students served in CCC

80 120

West County (El Cerrito, Hercules, and Richmond) East County (Pittsburg, Antioch)

The WAP meets two requirements of California Fish and Game Code Section 13103:  Section 13103a. The WAP planned curriculum will provide 200 students with an opportunity to learn about the scientific principles of fish and wildlife conservation.  Section 13103e. Through trash clean-ups on Field Trips and Environmental Action and Stewardship Projects, eight classes will improve the quality of life for fish and wildlife in Contra Costa County.

The WAP for each class includes: • Four two-hour Classroom Lessons at the school site with preparation and follow-up activities for the teacher to complete with his/her students • A Field Trip to a local creek, bay, or delta habitat • An Environmental Action Stewardship Project • Professional development and professional-level academic credit units for teachers, who learn to teach the WAP alongside their students and continue to teach it themselves to new classes. The hands-on science Classroom Lessons are a base for students to understand and engage with the ecology of local watershed fish and wildlife. Students learn how fish and wildlife systems can be described in terms of components and their interactions and they observe local flora and fauna during these lessons. Students are given the opportunity to handle and observe seaweed, striped bass fish, and Dungeness crabs during their food chain lesson and identify anatomical characteristics and adaptations that help bay life survive. During their third lesson students also complete a campus trash clean-up project which demonstrates how students can make a positive impact on fish and wildlife on a local scale!

Once students have a base knowledge of San Francisco Bay fish and wildlife, each class attends a Field Trip in Contra Costa County. During the 2020-21 school year students will take part in bay, creek, or delta Field Trips to Brannan Island, Cerrito Creek, Martinez Marina, or Wildcat Creek. The Field Trips solidify existing understanding of the watershed environment and encourage exploration and curiosity. Using field microscopes, students will identify and observe aquatic invertebrates and plankton, and the environments in which they live and will examine adaptations that help these organisms survive and traits that could be affected by the environment. Students will observe and identify local bird species, investigate wildlife on rocky shorelines, and participate in trash clean-ups to protect the wildlife they have learned about.

After the Field Trip and Classroom Lessons each class will also develop their leadership skills by completing an Environmental Action Stewardship Project in their local watershed environment. The Action Projects are crucial because by planning and implementing their own project, students are empowered to become environmentalists. Students will make a positive impact on their local bay fish and wildlife in the following Action Projects:  clean up and restore local urban creeks by removing trash and planting trees and shrubs  monitor water quality, assess creek health and share findings  teach family members and peer students how to safely prepare and cook fish from the San Francisco Bay and the delta to reduce the intake of toxins  create environmentally friendly pesticides to replace toxic pesticides for use in school gardens  Lead schoolwide Assemblies to educate entire school communities about the importance of not littering and packing Zero-Waste School Lunches to reduce the impacts of plastic pollution in local waterways.

Project Budget The current annual organizational budget for KIDS for the BAY is $481,700. The project budget for the eight WAP classes is $82,427. The $6,000 grant from Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund will be an important part of that budget, and the funds will be spent on providing transportation to outdoor Field Trips in Contra Costa County for WAP students and teachers.

2020 – 2021 Expenses Amount Field Trip Transportation Costs for Students $6,000 Eight school buses ~$750/bus Total Project Budget $6,000 Matching funding is committed from the San Francisco Foundation.

Project Schedule Month Tasks February 2020  Purchase educational materials and plan Environmental Action Projects March – June 2020  Teach Classroom Lessons  Conduct Environmental Action Projects  Lead Field Trips

Organizational Overview

Background: Since 1992, KftB has provided environmental education programs to 91,130 students and 3,694 teachers in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. KftB programs provide professional development for teachers and academic enrichment for students using the local environment as a living laboratory for learning and for environmental action. At least 70% of our students are low-income, students of color in urban schools. KftB is a project of Earth Island Institute, our fiscal sponsor.

KftB has received local and national recognition, including Parents Press BEST of the Bay Awards in 2016, 2018 and 2019, the John Muir Association’s Environmental Education Award in 2011, the California Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award in 2009 and the Contra Costa County Watershed Forum’s Watershed Education Project of the Year Award in 2007.

KftB Advisory Board Members: Leilani Alo, Advisory Board President – Senior Philanthropic Advisor, Marin Community Foundation Kimberly Aguilar – Second Grade Teacher, Oakland Unified School District Kate Gallagher– Environmental educator and consultant for the FOSS science curriculum, Oakland USD Tiffany Grandstaff - Director of Communications, University of California, Berkeley Library Shefali Shah – Consultant in Environmental Education and Environmental Justice Sheela Shankar – Development Director, The Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment

KftB Staff Overseeing Project: Mandi Billinge, Executive Director/Founder of KftB – Mandi has directed program development and organization expansion for the past 27 years. Mandi has a B.S. Honors Degree in Biology from Hull University in England, a Teaching Credential from Leeds University in England, and a Development Director's Certificate from the University of San Francisco.

Laurel Sebastian, Watershed Action Program Manager – Laurel manages the WAP, collaborates with the Program Staff team, teaches student participants and trains partner teachers. Before joining KftB, Laurel taught environmental education and conducted field research with Mountain Studies Institute for two years in Colorado. She has also researched plants in Mount Rainer and Yosemite National Parks, and loves identifying plants and animals in her free time. Laurel has a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science from Colorado College and speaks conversational Spanish.

KftB Staff Involved in Project: Mandi Billinge, Executive Director/Founder Laurel Sebastian, Lead Program Manager Asha Bucklin, Development and Communications Sienna Kuykendall, Program Manager Manager Jim Cartan, Program Manager

Marine Science Institute Proposal for Funding Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund Grant

Date: January 6, 2020 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: $2,047,000 Title of Program: 2020 Delta Discovery Voyage Program

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.

We are asking the Contra Costa County FWC to fund the 2020 DDV program (specifically Supplies, Travel, Fuel, and Marina Fees) with a grant of $10,000 so that Delta wildlife and water education will carry on without interruption.

DDV Program Description: MSI's Delta Discovery Voyage Program addresses both education and environmental needs of Contra Costa County (CCC). The scheduling of schools for the 2020 DDV program is nearly done, and most ship manifests have been received. We expect to educate 3,800 CCC 5th graders this year. Among the students we will educate this year, approximately 1,824 (48%) will come from schools in Central CCC, and 1,976 (52%) will come from schools in East CCC. While the DDV program does not serve schools in West CCC, our San Francisco Bay Discovery Voyage education program is available to them when our ship comes to the Richmond Marina for 3 weeks in October and November each year. (The Richmond- based education is different than the DDV program in that it focuses on the life in the brackish water ecosystem of the Bay vs the fresh water ecosystem of the Delta. Additionally, the Richmond program’s budget is separate from the DDV program. The Richmond program is, therefore, not included in this proposal.) The breakdown of specific schools that will be served by the DDV program this year is available upon request.

An average of 46% of 5th grade students from the Contra Costa County schools served by the DDV program 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 THRILLING for the students, and unique and relevant to the special region in which they live. Delta Discovery Voyages support Contra Costa County teachers by providing curriculum and activities that help them meet the new NGSS that began 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 they know very little about their own 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, and Delta wildlife will thrive.

Anticipated outcomes of this program include: Through the instructional voyage on the Delta aboard the R/V Robert G. Brownlee and the completion of the Water Patrol Activity, students will learn these key concepts: • Drinking water comes from the Delta; all residents of the Delta region have a special responsibility to help keep the water/habitat clean (stewardship).

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

• A watershed is an area of land that drains water, sediment, and dissolved minerals to a common outlet; the Delta’s watershed boundaries are quite large and cover urban, rural, and unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County. • Water that enters storm drains is not treated before entering the environment. Contaminates need to be kept out of storm drains. • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) needs to be taken to special disposal facilities; • Mercury, a significant Delta contaminant, is sourced from fluorescent lightbulbs and other Household Hazardous Waste products. • Recycled water is a way in which we conserve water.

The 2020 Delta Discovery Voyage Program 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 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 statement, if funding is granted: “Delta Discovery Voyage equipment is funded in part by the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee.”

Project Schedule: Dates Task Name Description 1/8 - 2/28/2020 Teach programs 5th grade students from Contra Costa County schools participate in DDVs. 1/8 - 2/28/2020 Inform DDV funders Host Delta Donor Voyage on 1/25/20. Host funders, as requested, on Delta Discovery Voyage instructional programs. Attend meetings hosted by funders. March-May 2020 Evaluate and report Evaluate all teacher surveys; compare outcomes to objectives. Create and submit funder report. Host funder teleconference. 12/31/2020 Additional reports Submit additional reports to funders, as requested.

Project Budget: 2019-2020 CCCFWC Expenses DDV Budget Project Budget Description Payroll and Benefits $116,280 Outside Services $1,700 Supplies and Operating Expenses $7,004 $400 Expendable supplies MSI instructors' over-night stays in Antioch motel and Travel and Fuel $13,804 $8,300 fuel for the ship/MSI vehicles Occupancy $68 Insurance, Repairs, Other $17,612 $1,300 Antioch Marina fee Depreciation $30,532 Total Expense $187,000 $10,000

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

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

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: Victoria Whitehill, Board Chair; Project Manager, Genentech Norman Chen, Board Vice-Chair; Co-Founder/Director DeltaHealth China, Ltd. Clark Morey, Board Secretary; Application Sales, Oracle James Roberts, Board Treasurer; Financial Consultant, Perceptive Insights Lisa Becker, Member at Large; Animal Care Manager, National Marine Life Center Teesta Kaur, Member at Large; Sales Director; Tipalti Julian Osinski, Member at Large; Principal, Opticalogic Advisors Randy Reyes, Member at Large; Contract Administration Manager, NGM Biopharmaceuticals Reema Shah, Member at Large; Financial Professional Jack Spallino, Member at Large; Principal, J. Spallino & Associates Commercial Real Estate

Other Funders: Agencies, foundations and corporations who fund the Delta Discovery Voyage program include Contra Costa Water District, Delta Diablo, Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, Mt. View Sanitary District, Golden State Water Co, Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation, Corteva and Marathon Petroleum.

Qualifications of Marine Science Institute: We are celebrating our 50th anniversary this year! 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. In addition, we hold annual workshops for teachers to support their implementation of the 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 the Delta Discovery Voyage program and qualifications: Marilou Seiff, Executive Director: Marilou has been with the Marine Science Institute since November 1996, and became 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 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 H MVSD – McNabney Marsh Nesting Survey and Raft Repair Project – January 2020 - Page 1 of 3

“McNabney Marsh Nesting Bird Survey and Raft Repair Project” Mt. View Sanitary District January 2020

1. Project Description The 2016 McNabney Marsh Nesting Raft Project, which was partially funded by the Contra Costa Fish and Wildlife Committee (CCFWC), enabled the Mt. View Sanitary District (MVSD), in partnership with Mount Diablo Audubon Society, to provide additional nesting habitat for ground nesting birds in the 138-acre McNabney Marsh (Marsh). Much of the shoreline and island habitat has been lost since the Marsh was reopened to tidal influence in 2009. Originally a tidal wetland, the Marsh was converted to a seasonal wetland when development in the early 20th century cut off its connection with the Carquinez Strait. Since the early 1990s, treated effluent from MVSD was its primary water source. However, in June 2009, Eco Services began operating tide gates on Peyton Slough, allowing water from the Carquinez Strait to flow into the Marsh for the first time in more than a century. MVSD was hopeful that reintroduced tidal action would resolve several habitat issues: low oxygen and pH levels in the water, the relentless spread of cattails, and a plethora of non-native fish. However, managing the Marsh since 2009 has proven to be quite problematic. MVSD has discovered that when the tide gates are open, the marsh fills up during high tides but does not drain during low tides, creating a “pumping up” effect and drowning much of the ground nesting habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds in the Marsh.

To increase benefits to ground nesting birds, MVSD constructed and deployed sixteen (16), 4’x10’ rafts to attract nesting waterfowl and shorebirds in 2015 and 2016. These floating structures are immune to tide gate operations and fluctuating water levels. A variety of substrates (vegetation and sand) were added to the rafts. Observations have confirmed that shorebirds used the sand substrate rafts successfully, including Black- necked Stilt and American Avocet. However, many of the rafts have incurred damage over the last 4-5 years. To ensure they continue to function properly, the rafts must be brought in to shore, assessed, repaired and new substrate added to ensure the structures continue to provide benefits to nesting birds.

Additionally, MVSD would like to use trained field ornithologists to conduct 10 nesting bird surveys in McNabney Marsh to assess use of the Marsh and the nesting rafts during the 2020 nesting season as well as document nest flooding and other impacts from tide gate operations. Between 2011 and 2019 MVSD funded these surveys but can no longer do so. Without outside funding, nesting surveys in McNabney Marsh will stop.

Benefits to Fish and Wildlife

The McNabney Marsh Nesting Bird Survey and Raft Repair Project will: • protect migratory bird nests, eggs, and chicks from flooding and/or drowning in the Marsh, and • help determine impacts from tide gate operations on nesting bird success

Section 13703 Eligibility This project is eligible for the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund under item 13103 (e).

2. Project Schedule The following is an anticipated project schedule: February 2020 – March 2020 Assess and repair 16, 4’x10’ rafts in McNabney Marsh to offset lost habitat for ground nesting birds due to tide gate operations on Peyton Slough. March – July 2020 Conduct 10 nesting bird surveys in McNabney Marsh

MVSD – McNabney Marsh Nesting Survey and Raft Repair Project – January 2020 - Page 2 of 3

3. Project Budget Requested $9,400.00 Match from MVSD: $4,185.00

Project Total: $13,585.00 Budget Detail We estimate approximately $150 in hardware/substrate is needed for each raft ($150 x 16 rafts) $2,400.00

We estimate approximately $700 per nesting bird survey $7,000.00 MVSD District Biologist to administer the project $945.00 MVSD Utility Laborer to retrieve, assess, repair and re-deploy 16 rafts $3,240.00 Total for Project $13,585.00

TOTAL Request for Funding $9,400.00

4. Annual Budget for Applying Organization MVSD’s annual operating budget for FY 2019/2020 is: $6,696,750.00

5. Description of Applying Organization, Board of Directors, and Affiliate Organization MVSD is a Special District that collects and treats an average of 1.3 million gallons of wastewater per day for about 22,000 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. MVSD is dedicated to educating the public on environmental issues through its award-winning Wetlands Field Trip Program, public newsletters, public workshops and classes, and its Website and Facebook page. The current Governing Board of Directors for MVSD is:

• Gregory T. Pyka – President • Elmer “Al” J. Schaal – Vice President • David P. Maggi – Director • Stanley R. Caldwell – Director • Brian A. Danley - Director

6. Statement of Qualifications MVSD has been awarded 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 through cooperation with multiple agencies, organizations, and businesses.

7. Responsible Individuals Kelly Davidson has been MVSD’s District Biologist since November 2010. She holds an MS degree in Education from Cal State East Bay and a Master of Natural Resources degree and a Graduate Certificate in Wildlife Ecology from Oregon State University.

8. Permits No permits are required for this project.

MVSD – McNabney Marsh Nesting Survey and Raft Repair Project – January 2020 - Page 3 of 3

A nesting American Avocet (green circle) and a pair of nesting Black-necked Stilts (violet circle) on a raft in McNabney Marsh in 2016.

A Black-necked Stilt nesting on a raft in McNabney Marsh in May 2015.

I MVSD – Wetlands Field Trip Program for Contra Costa County Schools – January 2020 - Page 1 of 3

“Wetlands Field Trip Program for Contra Costa County Schools” Mt. View Sanitary District January 2020

1. Project Description The Wetlands Field Trip Program for Contra Costa County Schools will enable the Mt. View Sanitary District (MVSD) to continue offering this award-winning program to all students in Contra Costa County. Currently, MVSD provides funds for participating schools in MVSD’s service area: Martinez, CA. In past years, outside contributions from corporations such as Shell Martinez refinery, Valero, Clear Channel Inc., and agencies like the Contra Costa County Flood Control District have provided the necessary funds to allow students from outside MVSD’s service area (but inside Contra Costa County) to participate in this very popular environmental education program. MVSD’s service area includes parts of incorporated and unincorporated Martinez.

The Wetlands Field Trip Program started in 1996 for Martinez Elementary schools. Today, thanks to outside funding, students from schools throughout Contra Costa County take advantage of this complimentary field trip experience. The curriculum is designed in partnership with the Lindsay Wildlife Experience (LWE) in Walnut Creek. The 4-hour, hands-on, outdoor education program provides instruction on pollution prevention and water quality, the value of wetland habitats for people and wildlife, and aquatic animal adaptations.

During their exploration of Moorhen Marsh, students have the opportunity to view and appreciate great blue herons, green herons, pied-billed grebes, Canada geese, cinnamon teal, muskrat, river otter, black-tailed deer, western pond turtles, and gopher snakes, among other wildlife species. Dip-netting activities allow for close-up inspection of a variety of fish and invertebrates including three-spined stickleback, Sacramento Perch, dragonfly nymph, and crayfish, while “take-home” materials help teachers to reinforce the pollution prevention and wetland habitat conservation messages back in the classroom.

MVSD currently budgets $31,600 per school year for the Wetlands Field Trip Program (this does not include time and costs for administering the program). The budget includes $3,000 for educational materials and supplies and $28,600 towards instruction provided by the LWE. The LWE charges $500 per 4-hour field trip with 3 instructors and $600 for a 4-hour program with 4 instructors. The number of instructors depends on the number of students scheduled per program, which can vary from 15 - 40. For the current school year, MVSD has received no outside funding for the $31,600 Wetlands Field Trip Program to fund school participation from outside of the Martinez Unified School District.

MVSD is requesting $9,000 from the FWC to sponsor 18 field trips (with three LWE Instructors) for schools in Contra Costa County but outside of MVSD’s service area for the 2019-2020 school year. MVSD will continue to fund all field trips for schools in Martinez.

Grant dollars would be used solely for direct program costs: to fund instruction for 18 field trips. MVSD will provide a match to grant funding through staff time for administering the Wetlands Field Trip Program, instruction for all participating Martinez schools, funds to purchase necessary equipment and supplies, and any additional funding from outside sources.

Benefits to Fish and Wildlife Stewardship of habitat and wildlife starts with a basic understanding and appreciation of these critical resources. When this appreciation begins in childhood, it is much more likely to take root and flourish, especially if the child is exposed to multiple and ongoing environmental education opportunities. Environmental education increases public awareness and knowledge about environmental issues. In doing so, it provides the public with the necessary skills to make informed decisions and take responsible action as adults. Many professionals believe that high quality environmental education opportunities are fundamental to the achievement of sustainable development, which is necessary if wildlife resources are to thrive into and beyond the 21st century. This program will benefit the fish and wildlife of Contra Costa County by increasing awareness, appreciation, and a better understanding of the functions and values of wetland habitats and the wildlife they support.

MVSD – Wetlands Field Trip Program for Contra Costa County Schools – January 2020 - Page 2 of 3

Section 13703 Eligibility This project is eligible for the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund under item 13103 (a).

2. Project Schedule The following is an anticipated project schedule: March – May 2020 Provide approximately 18, 4-hour Wetlands Field Trip programs for schools in Contra Costa County cities outside of Martinez, including: Lafayette, Orinda, Pleasant Hill, Rodeo and Walnut Creek. These 18, 4-hour field trips are already scheduled but need funding sponsors.

3. Project Budget Requested: $9,000.00 Match: $22,600.00 Project total: $31,600.00

Budget Detail Provide 18 field trips to schools in Contra Costa County, outside MVSD service area $9,000.00 Provide field trips to schools in the MVSD service area (matching funds) $4,600.00 Provide additional field trips to schools in Contra Costa County (matching funds) $15,000.00 Materials and Supplies (matching funds) $3,000.00 TOTAL for Program $31,600.00 TOTAL Request for Funding $9,000.00

4. Annual Budget for Applying Organization MVSD’s annual operating budget for FY 2019/2020 is: $6,696,750.00

• Gregory T. Pyka – President • Elmer “Al” J. Schaal – Vice President • David P. Maggi – Director • Stanley R. Caldwell – Director • Brian A. Danley - Director

MVSD – Wetlands Field Trip Program for Contra Costa County Schools – January 2020 - Page 3 of 3

8. Permits No permits are required for this project.

Students participating in the Wetlands Field Trip Program – April 2019

J 1. Cover sheet

2. Description of the project for which funding is requested In August 2017, with generous funding from the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee, The Watershed Project began a county-wide creek monitoring program in partnership with 5 local watershed groups. By using protocols and quality assurance measures from the California Waterboards’ Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program, the Watershed Project made sure data was useful to multiple agencies as well as the volunteer groups involved. In the second year of the program, the Watershed Project added first flush and BMI monitoring; and also published data through Water Reporter, an online platform (https://api.waterreporter.org/v2/map/459de41c), as well as through their partner groups’ websites, newsletters, and outreach events, with the goal of educating the community about water quality issues and how we can work together to reduce them. The City of San Pablo’s Wildcat Creek Restoration Project will improve and restore a vital 800-foot section of Wildcat Creek to create a more natural creek habitat. The in-stream benefits of this project include potential refuge areas for trout, a modified floodplain to accommodate larger flow volumes, soil bioengineering applications to develop long term stream bank stability, planting of live willow cuttings, and additional native riparian plants on the restored bank. The Project is also intended to connect an urban community to the natural environment. In partnership with the City of San Pablo and the Watershed Project, Salesian College Preparatory is developing an outdoor science curriculum for students in grades 9-12 and will use the restored creek as an ‘outdoor science lab’ to assess water quality, provide counts of local wildlife, measure the growth of newly planted trees/shrubs, and become stewards of the creek through trash pick-ups and peer education.

Through the partnership with the Watershed Project, Salesian College Preparatory will assist with the monitoring program while expanding the cross-agency network, making data available through the California Environmental Data Exchange Network (CEDEN), and deploying monitoring loggers at certain sites. We are requesting $3,600 to support this water quality monitoring program for the 2020-2021 year.

Funds for the water quality monitoring program will go toward purchasing monitoring supplies, repairing and replacing parts for monitoring equipment, and sending a subset of our samples to scientific labs for processing. Monitoring will be conducted once per month at Vale Road, San Pablo; and other areas in the watershed project.

We will measure at least four different parameters monthly to investigate the health of these creeks, including water temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and pH, with additional parameters such as nutrients or turbidity that come directly from watershed planning documents such as the San Pablo Creek Watershed Plan. Along with Salesian students, volunteers from watershed groups will also collect water samples during the first rain of the 2020- 2021 water year (called the “first flush”) and we will test the samples for specific pollutants such as heavy metals and pesticides that tend to build up during the dry season. Some parameters such as copper will be tested in-house, while other parameters such as pesticides will be tested at a professional lab.

Benefit to fish and wildlife of Contra Costa County The goal of our creek monitoring program is to train and engage citizen scientists on improving water quality in Contra Costa County in order to provide suitable habitat for fish populations. Citizen scientists will learn how to monitor the health of our creeks and play a role in educating other residents on how to ensure a healthier habitat for fish. By funding this program for an additional year, the Fish and Wildlife Committee can ensure we build on the data set and that fish and wildlife reap the benefits of a healthier habitat in years to come.

Requirements of Fish and Game Code The project promotes public education relating to fish and wildlife conservation as indicated in Section 13103(a) of the Fish and Game Code, as well as and improves fish and wildlife habitat as indicated in Section 13103(e). 3. and 4. Project Schedule and Budget Project Schedule Task Timeline Purchase supplies listed below as needed Test water quality at creek sites once a month Enter monitoring data once a month Coordinate first flush monitoring Fall 2020 Analyze and summarize data for watershed scorecards by July 2021 Outreach to groups and community members regarding results by July 2021 Enter data into CA Environmental Data Exchange Network by July 2021

Project Budget Item Cost Meters $1,432.84 Calibration Standards $1,042.96 Bioswale monitoring gear $162.56 Bioswale lab testing fees $920.00 Total Cost $3,558.36

5. Annual budget for applying organization Salesian College Preparatory’s organizational budget for fiscal year 2019-2020 is $6,868,947.

6. Statement describing organization, Board of Directors, and affiliated organizations Salesian College Preparatory Salesian High School was opened in 1960 to educate young men of West Contra Costa County. In 1989, Salesian High School opened its doors to young women and became one of the few co-educational Catholic, college preparatory high schools in the East Bay. In 2014, on the 50th anniversary of the first graduating class, the school rebranded itself as Salesian College Preparatory reflecting that virtually each one of its students is accepted to a college.

The 2018-2019 Demographics were as follows - Enrollment 423; Students receiving need-based assistance: 352; Gender: 54% male; 46% female; Ethnicity: 26% African American/Black; 25% Latino/Hispanic; 20% Multi-Racial; 20% Asian/Pacific Islander; 9% Caucasian/White

Salesian College Preparatory’s Board of Directors includes Sam Berde – Partner, RBSM, LLP; Timothy Chambers – Retired, Salesian College Preparatory, President, Principal; Gregory Ginsburg – Vice President of Product Supply Services, The Clorox Company; Rick Hartnell – Salesian College Preparatory, Chief Financial Officer; David Hultman – Secretary and Treasurer of the Board, Vice President, Bank of the West; Daniel Hutson ’02 – Senior Accounts Manager, MacKenzie Communications; Fr. John Itzaina, SDB – Salesian College Preparatory, School Director; John Kunzweiler – Chairman of the Board, Former Global Managing Director at Accenture; Helen Nichols – Retired, Realtor, Better Homes & Gardens- Mason McDuffie Real Estate – Housing Finance Supervisor, City of Richmond; Stephen Pezzola ’74 – Vice Chairman of the Board, Salesian College Preparatory, President; Marthaa Torres – Chief Learning and Innovation Officer, Making Waves Academy; Kenneth Willers – Associate Superintendent: Leadership for Innovation & Growth, Diocese of Oakland

The Watershed Project The Watershed Project began in 1987 as the education department of the San Francisco Estuary Institute, before becoming its own 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 1997. Based in Richmond, our mission is to inspire San Francisco Bay communities to understand, appreciate and protect our local watersheds. The Watershed Project’s goals include increasing awareness and stewardship of natural resources, increasing capacity for grassroots groups, and building greater biodiversity and healthier habitats in the San Francisco Bay Area. We strive to inspire residents to get involved in ensuring cleaner water in the future, and to thereby improve water quality for fish and wildlife. 7. Statement describing qualifications of sponsoring organization and participating individuals Salesian Salesian College Preparatory is fully accredited by the Western Catholic Educational Association and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and is a 501 (c)(3) educational institution.

Salesian College Preparatory curriculum exceeds the A-G subject requirements necessary to apply for acceptance to UC and CSU schools. To ensure students are competitive with other UC and CSU applicants, additional academic programs, enrichment and support are provided, including:

• 19 Advance Placement (AP) and Honors courses • Academic Success Program (ASP) for freshmen in need of extra academic support • Study Skills for sophomores, juniors and seniors in need of extra academic support • Wrap around services including academic, college, and personal counseling • Student service learning projects within Richmond and surrounding communities

Elizabeth Coscia joined the faculty as the Environmental Science and Biology curriculum teacher at Salesian College Preparatory in 2008. Dr. Coscia earned her BA from Washington University, studied wolves at Dalhousie University for her MSc and PhD, and conducted endocrinological research with UC Berkeley's Hyena Project prior to joining Salesian in 2008.

The Watershed Project The Watershed Project has won many awards for our work over the last 20 years, including the 2015 Contra Costa Watershed Forum Project of the Year for our Wildcat Daylighting Project, and the2010 California State Parks Foundation’s State Parks Grassroots Champion Award. Since its inception, The Watershed Project has provided watershed education training for over 500 K-12 teachers (lessons that have reached over 100,000 students); engaged over 30,000 community members in creek and wetlands restoration efforts; and fostered the work of over 40 grassroots community creek groups, which have taken ownership of and responsibility for restoring local watersheds. Our actions have helped to educate thousands of community members about water quality issues and how to make critical behavior changes in order to create a healthier watershed, which will help improve water quality and enhance habitat for native fish and wildlife.

Helen Fitanides was hired to manage creek and oyster monitoring programs at The Watershed Project in 2015. Helen holds a B.S. in Biological Sciences from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and worked in scientific research before moving to the Bay Area in 2013. She is passionate about cultivating citizen scientists, and believes that it is the best way to make ecosystem monitoring and assessment more affordable, with the added benefit of educating communities about important watershed processes. Helen maintains relationships with 15 Bay Area groups and heads the Contra Costa Watershed Forum’s Creek Monitoring Subcommittee, where she facilitates the exchange of technical expertise and monitoring equipment and promotes data quality control measures. Helen has experience in grant administration, program development and evaluation, community outreach, environmental education, and volunteer coordination, in addition to aquatic biology.

8. Responsible individuals • Helen Fitanides will provide coordination and oversight of the entire project’s completion. • Dr. Elizabeth Coscia will provide the coordination and oversight of the Outdoor Science Curriculum which will assist in the monitoring of Wildcat Creek

9. Permits Helen Fitanides holds a Scientific Collection Permit (SC-13053) from California Department of Fish and Wildlife to conduct Benthic Macro invertebrate monitoring. K Nature Detectives: The Case of the Missing Salmon

Nature finds a way of avoiding us. Whether it’s a fox crossing the road in the wee hours or squirrels making their commute on telephone wires, urban nature works hard to stay out of our path. It can be difficult for children to catch a glimpse of what is going on all around them. Research confirms that a positive experience with nature in childhood is more important to future stewardship than a wealth of biology lessons or academic lectures1. Such opportunities are associated with intrinsic learning, social connections and lower stress levels. We are less likely to understand what we don’t see.

Teaching children to look for the clues our wild neighbors leave (rather than the animals themselves) is a great way to get around barriers. Looking for scat, pellets or footprints can teach children about the unseen residents of their lives and make them keen observers of the natural world. Learning about the complex ecological systems at a beaver pond helps introduce species interdependence. “The case of the Missing Salmon” will invite children to become ‘nature detectives’ and solve a mystery at a beaver pond, learning to identify the habits and tracks of various riparian wildlife.

The beaver pond makes an ideal setting for the ‘Mystery’ since it supports so many other visitors (suspects) and is an ecosystem unto itself. In particular, this project reminds participants (and their parents) of the important role such ponds play in the lives of salmon, as well as helping them think through the natural habits of visitors to the pond. Did the salmon become supper for the blue heron or the river otter? Or is there another explanation for its disappearance? Solving the mystery will require learning to identify the tracks of frequent pond visitors as well as gaining a better understanding of their lifecycles. This will help children attune to detail, think critically and become better citizen scientists in their future dealings with nature.

The Case of the Missing Salmon will provide a fun way to learn about the essential benefits of a beaver pond using a playful ‘mystery’ theme. Participants will be the first 100 children attending the 13th annual Beaver Festival in Martinez, CA on June 28th, 2020. Last year this event had an attendance of 1000, with over 50 participating environmental groups and 100 children finishing the activity. To begin, children will receive an envelope containing a “top secret suspect list” that includes footprints of the 6 likely culprits at the pond. They will be instructed to solve the crime and then return to the beginning to report their answer and collect their prize. To do this they will visit participating displays representing those six species and learn about them to collect a clue. These clues can be combined to rule out suspects and learn the ‘solution’ to the mystery. (The missing salmon swam to sea.)

Participating groups will be designated on the map and by a sign at the booth showing the animals and its tracks. When a child successfully matches the track card with a species they will be given an alibi card, showing the animal, its track and its innocence. On the back will be a part of a sentence giving the solution. When all six cards are collected, children will be helped to combine them and learn the answer. They can then return to the beginning and collect their prize for solving the mystery: an ornamental magnifying glass they can keep. They will then be invited to take a post quiz matching the tracks they have recently learned with the wildlife species in question.

Exhibitors will be selected for their knowledge of the topic and willingness to participate. They will be considered ‘sponsors’ of the activity. Sponsor stations will be designated with a sign showing the animal and its tracks. “Alibi” cards and signs will be distributed to sponsors on the morning of the festival by the California Core Watershed Steward Interns, Arianna Topbjerg and Ellen Mills, who will also review the activity with exhibitors.

Amy G. Hall will be simultaneously illustrating a 10 foot square in the plaza with chalk the day before and day of the festival - showing the beaver pond and the wildlife it sustains. 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 enjoyed her participation so much last year that she has agreed to do this two-day piece without fee provided Worth A Dam pays for needed materials. Susana Park is an ideal venue for this event, and provides an excellent way for exhibitors to spread comfortably around the focal point of Amy’s artwork. Children will be encouraged to draw their own illustrations in the plaza margin, so that by the end of the event attendees will be surrounded by beaver ponds at every level.

After solving the mystery, participants will be invited to complete a short quiz about 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 proudly during this period. 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 planning: Heidi Perryman. Map distribution: Cheryl Reynolds Beaver pond art: Amy G Hall Signs & clue card distribution: California Core Watershed Steward Interns Map Exhibitors: to be chosen 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 G. Hall two day artwork. Magnifying glasses were offered at a 60% reduced rate from Solid Oak LLC in Rhode Island.

6 alibi cards for suspects x 100 participants 100.00 6 footprint suspect cards x 100 100.00 Top secret envelopes x 100 50.00 Magnifying glasses x 100 300.00 Exhibit location map festival brochure x 500 ` 350.00 5 artist quality 48 Koss soft chalk pastels @ 16.00 ea 90.00 3 pks of children’s 12 soft pastels @ 8.00 ea 30.00 Printing of signs & post tests 30.00

Total cost for project: 1050.00 Eligibility for Grant Requirements: The Case of the Missing Salmon 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. In solving the mystery children will learn information and wildlife tracks for various species, as well as life cycle information for salmon. While solving this puzzle, Amy’s artwork unfolding ‘under their feet’, will connect them personally to the story of the watershed and its residents. This will be a reminder for all in attendance about the vital role beavers play for salmon.

“The Case of the missing salmon” uses a playful framework to cheerfully illustrate the many species that depend on a beaver pond and how their lives are related. Participating exhibits will be the following: US Forest Service Marine Mammal Rescue NOAA Fisheries Mt Diablo Audubon River Otter Ecology Project East Bay Regional Parks

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. The beaver festival has an annual budget of $5000.00. In addition to holding the yearly festival and providing presentations and training on beavers throughout the year, we maintain an internationally visited website, with daily updates on beaver news and research from around the world. Our members are:

Heidi Perryman - President Lory Bruno - Donations Cheryl Reynolds - Vice President Igor Skaredoff - Watershed Jon Ridler - Treasurer Kimberly Robertson - Wildlife Frogard Schmidt – Art Leslie Mills – children’s activity

1 Kuo M, Barnes M and Jordan C (2019) Do Experiences With Nature Promote Learning? Converging Evidence of a Cause- and-Effect Relationship. Front. Psychol. 10:305. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg. 2019.00305 L Lafayette Arundo Eradication Project Match

1) Project Narrative The Walnut Creek Watershed Council (WCWC) has recognized Arundo donax as one of the main threats to the health of the Walnut Creek watershed, and as such, has created a working group, the Arundo Removal and Replacement Team (ARRT) to battle this invasive plant. The WCWC is coordinating eradication efforts with the county Resource Conservation District and the Flood Control District, and provides an avenue for local Creeks groups, like the Lafayette Creeks Committee, to obtain funding for Arundo eradication in the greater Walnut Creek Watershed. This proposal requests $4,000 in funding from the CCC Fish and Wildlife Fund to act a match for money available for Arundo removal from ARRT via the WCWC.

Arundo is a fast-growing grass that invades riparian areas and can rapidly dominate streamside vegetation. This difficult to eradicate plant grows in thick stands that eliminate native habitat, use large amount of water and are fire hazards. Arundo does not generate fertile seeds, but spreads downstream by water transport of live stems and roots. Thus, eradication at upstream locations in a watershed is critical to its downstream control.

The City of Lafayette and Lafayette Creeks Committee has a long and successful history of volunteer supports removal of invasive plants and replanting with native plants, spanning back nearly 20 years to work done at Leigh Creekside Park. In 2017, the City approved the Downtown Creeks Restoration, Preservation and Development Plan (DCP) with one of the key recommendations to remove non-native plants and replace them with native plants in the downtown riparian zones on both public and private property. In 2019, the Creeks Committee participated in the WCWC Arundo mapping program and identified five priority sites for removal on public property (see table below). Later in 2019, the City committed $4,000 as a fund match for one of the first ARRT sponsored eradication efforts at a highly visible priority site on Lafayette Creek near 3725 Mt. Diablo Blvd. That approximately 1,000 sf patch of Arundo, plus some additional area of invasive ivy, was removed by ARRT contractors in late November 2019. Replanting of this area with native plants using volunteer community members is scheduled for January 2020. In addition, the Creeks Committee has worked with Girl Scout and other community volunteers in 2019 to remove Arundo and other invasive plants from the 3550 Brook Street site. Replanting by Girl Scout volunteers is planned for late January 2020.

Priority Arundo removal sites in Lafayette listed on ARRT CA Fish & Wildlife permit in 2019

1. 3725 Mt. Diablo Blvd. (Lafayette Creek) 2. 913 Hough Ave. (Lafayette Creek) 3. 3550 Brook St. (Lafayette Creek) 4. 3425 Mt. Diablo Blvd. (multiple patches near confluence of Lafayette and Las Trampas creeks) 5. Lafayette-Moraga Trail between Reliez Station Rd. and Pleasant Hill Rd. (multiple patches on Las Trampas Creek)

The Lafayette Creeks Committee has an established background in invasive plant removal and wishes to continue Arundo eradication efforts at other priority sites in 2020. The $4,000 requested in this proposal will allow us to leverage additional matching funds available through the WCWC and ARRT to make major progress in the removal of Arundo in the upper reaches of Walnut Creek Watershed where the removal of this invasive plant is critical to keep it from returning to eradication project sites downstream.

How the project meets the requirements of Section 13103 Section 13103 (e): Arundo is an invasive, non-native plant that grows in thick stands that eliminate all other native plants and the wildlife habitats and values associated with them. Arundo reduces the stability of creek banks and can lead to bank failure and increased sediment loads in the creeks, potentially affecting fish, other aquatic life and the associated ecosystems. Arundo also uses large amounts of water even during drought times, reducing water available for fish and other aquatic life. Removal of Arundo from upper watershed areas like Lafayette not only provides improved habitat for the removal sites, but also reduces the likelihood for Arundo to become established at downstream sites through water transport of live stems and roots.

2) Project schedule Summer-Fall 2020: Work with ARRT to identify a priority site from the list above, create an eradication plan and bring in a team to remove the Arundo. Winter 2020-21: Retreat remaining or returning Arundo at site and plant native species when rains supply adequate water. Create a means of irrigating the native plants, if needed, before they are well enough established to survive on their own.

3) Project budget ARRT and WCWC expects a 40% to 50% match for their Arundo eradication funding. The Creeks Committee is willing to commit $1,000.00 from its 2020-21 annual funding from the City of Lafayette. This grant proposal asks for an addition $4,000.00 in match money to complete a $10,000.00 eradication project ($6,000 WCWC grant, $4,000 CCC Fish & Wildlife Propagation grant, $1,000 City of Lafayette). In addition, up to 30 volunteers organized by the City will spend 3 hours replanting the eradication site ($1,080 in-kind equivalent).

Costs 1. Arundo Removal & Site Cleanup $7,000.00 ARRT contracted crew 2. Plants & Irrigation $1,000.00 trees and shrubs @ $15 each plus irrigation @ $500.00 3. Planting Volunteer Labor (up to 90 person hours) 4. Site Maintenance $2,000.00 ARRT contracted crew One pre-emergent spray over the entire site and follow-up spot sprays for weeds 5. Contingency $1,000.00

Total $11,000.00

4) Annual budget of the organization The Lafayette Creeks Committee’s annual budget in the 2019-20 fiscal year is $2,500. The budget is determined and allocated annually by the City Council. The Creek Committee is willing to commit up to $1,000 to augment this project. In previous years the Creeks Committee’s budget has been used to assist with a variety of creek-related activities including funding an annual Creek Day event in Lafayette, Arundo eradication, room rental for a Contra Costa Watershed Forum meeting, on-going creek maintenance projects, sponsorship of the Quadrennial Creeks and Watershed Symposium, and development and publication of educational pamphlets including local watershed maps.

5) Statement describing the applying organization The City of Lafayette is in the Walnut Creek Watershed. The city has an elected City Council and small staff. The City depends on a variety of volunteer committees to advise it on issues. The Lafayette Creeks Committee advises the Council and City staff on creek-, water quality- and flood control-related issues. This committee has seven members with a range of experience related to creeks, hydrology, applicable regulation, local government, and riparian resource management. The Creeks Committee has worked with the City’s Public Works Department to develop this proposal. Members of the Lafayette Creeks Committee are: Will Elder (chair), Jeff Gilman (vice-chair), Austin Payne, Philip Bradley, David Clark, Ron Hufft, and Peter Norton. 6) Statement describing the qualifications of the sponsoring organization and participating individuals Will Elder - Will has been a volunteer member of the Lafayette Creeks committee for 20 years. As long- time chair of the Committee, he has helped spearhead the DCP, obtain grant funding for creekside restoration projects, and conducted community surveys and City-wide creek awareness campaigns utilizing outreach materials developed by the committee. Professionally, Will is a visual media specialist with the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and has over 20 years of experience developing interpretive exhibits and signage for the National Park Service.

7) List of individuals responsible for performing the project and individuals responsible for overseeing the project Mike Moran, City of Lafayette Director of Engineering and Public Works, will oversee the project Jeff Gilman, Vice-Chair, Lafayette Creeks Committee, will coordinate with ARRT to perform the project

8) Statement of permits needed In 2018, the WCWC applied for and received permits from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to treat many of the Arundo 260 stands mapped in the ARRT mapping project in which Lafayette participated. The five priority sites listed above are included in the permits obtained from CDFW by the ARRT program. ______

Arundo eradication project along Lafayette Creek near 3725 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Conducted in collaboration with ARRT and WCWC in 2019.

Arundo stand before work started

Arundo stand after removal in November 2019 M 1. Cover sheet

2. Description of the project for which funding is requested SPAWNERS initiated an environmental restoration and education project along Wilkie Creek in Richmond in 2010. The site at Wilkie Creek (a tributary of San Pablo Creek) behind De Anza High School consists of approximately 150 linear feet of creek bank. Over the past decade we have completed extensive restoration, replacing much of the invasive and non-native vegetation with native trees, shrubs, and flowers to help stabilize the bank and improve fish and wildlife habitat. Additionally, we have installed a circular sitting area with benches and a log-lined pathway, creating an “outdoor classroom” for students at De Anza High School and surrounding schools and community to use. With generous support from the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee over the last decade, we were also able to install an interpretive sign, a modern irrigation system, and bee boxes, as well as purchase restoration materials and water quality monitoring equipment to use at the site. Thank you for supporting this community-focused site! Last year SPAWNERS accepted a new member to our Steering Committee, Mairead Owens, who had recently retired from a career teaching children. With her leadership we are expanding our educational programming, both our in-class lessons as well as our service learning field trips to the Wilkie Creek restoration site. We will be focusing our education efforts on nearby elementary schools, which are close enough to walk to our site and thus buses will not be needed. However, we want to have plenty of restoration supplies on hand that are child-appropriate, including gloves, plants, and tools for the students to use. This will enable them to participate in more of the restoration activities that occur at the site, providing hands-on experience and knowledge about how native riparian ecosystems are supposed to function. We also discuss why these areas often struggle in urban areas, and what community members such as themselves can do to help our creeks get healthy. We would also like to purchase materials for educational projects, including water monitoring kits that are age-appropriate for elementary school students. With these kits students will be able to explore the creek for themselves, collecting data that they will bring back to the group for discussion and interpretation. These kits will help students understand the parameters such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH that are crucial to how a creek supports aquatic life. This year, SPAWNERS celebrates its 20th birthday. We gathered our first work party on Earth Day in 2000, and we will gather another on Earth Day 2020. We would like to commemorate the occasion by producing 20th anniversary t-shirts and mugs, using the nature artwork of Rachel Diaz-Bastin, SPAWNERS Steering Committee member Donald Bastin’s daughter. These items will help spread the word about the work that we do and the volunteer opportunities we provide in the unincorporated area of El Sobrante. To build our educational programs and celebrate our 20th year restoring the San Pablo Creek Watershed, we request $4,140 from the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee.

Benefit to fish and wildlife of Contra Costa County One of the primary goals of all of our projects is to improve water quality throughout San Pablo watershed in order to provide suitable habitat for native fish populations. Naturally this will also improve the quality of water flowing into San Pablo Bay. We will educate citizens and students about how human actions affect water quality, local riparian ecosystems, and fish habitat. We expect to heighten awareness and respect for fish and wildlife habitat and the vital ecosystems in which we live.

Requirements of Fish and Game Code The project promotes public education relating to scientific principles of fish and wildlife conservation as indicated in Section 313103(a) of the Fish and Game Code. The project also improves fish and wildlife habitat as indicated in Section 13103(e) of the Fish and Game Code.

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3. & 4. Project schedule and budget

Project Estimated CC Fish & Task Description Timeline Cost Wildlife Match Restoration materials (plants, mulch forks, kids gloves, weed bags, flags, landscape staples, hand picks, rakes) Fall 2020 $1,280 $1,280 $0 Educational materials (pencils, seed paper, water monitoring kits) Fall 2020 $1,250 $1,250 $0 Outreach materials (shirts, mugs, logo Spring stamp) 2020 $1,610 $1,610 $0 Winter Evaluation and Reports 2020 $400 $0 $400 Travel Ongoing $300 $0 $300 TOTAL $4,840 $4,140 $700

5. Annual budget for applying organization The projected annual budget for SPAWNERS for the current fiscal year is $25,000. For FY 2018-2019 the annual budget was $22,020.

6. Statement describing organization, Board of Directors, and affiliated organizations The San Pablo Watershed Neighbors Education and Restoration Society (SPAWNERS) is an award- winning grassroots, volunteer organization whose mission is to protect the San Pablo Creek Watershed and inspire community appreciation and stewardship through advocacy, education, and habitat restoration. SPAWNERS is led by a volunteer Steering Committee composed of five watershed residents with skills in landscaping with native plants, exotic species removal, civic service, program management, environmental planning, environmental education, and volunteer coordination. Members of the Steering Committee have been involved for at least ten years with the exception of our newest member, Mairead Owens, and all reside in El Sobrante. The members of the steering committee are: Donald Bastin, Martha Berthelsen, Gudrun Kleist, Judy Ward, and Mairead Owens. SPAWNERS is a fiscally-sponsored project of The Watershed Project, a certified 501(c) 3 non-profit organization based in Richmond, California. Additionally, we leverage our abilities through an extensive network of partners, including the El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce, the East Bay Regional Parks Department, East Bay Municipal Utility District, Earth Team Environmental Network, and De Anza High. We are active members of the Wildcat-San Pablo Watershed Council and Contra Costa Watershed Forum.

7. Statement describing qualifications of sponsoring organization The San Pablo Watershed Neighbors Education and Restoration Society (SPAWNERS) is one of the longest running creek protection groups in Contra Costa County. Over the course of two decades, we have developed a reputation for consistent and effective grassroots action to protect the San Pablo Creek Watershed and inspire community appreciation and stewardship through advocacy, education, and habitat restoration. SPAWNERS began on Earth Day 2000 when over ninety volunteers came together to remove invasive ivy, blackberry, and garbage from the grounds of the El Sobrante Library bordering San Pablo Creek. This effort evolved into native plant demonstration gardens and a large-scale streamside re-vegetation project at the El Sobrante Library, both of which have attracted hundreds of volunteers each year. We have consistently grown our geographic and programmatic scope in order to offer numerous and varied opportunities for citizens to get involved in watershed awareness and protection activities. Page 2 of 3

SPAWNERS’ efforts have been recognized by local residents, and the group has received numerous awards from the County and elected officials. Most recently, we received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for outstanding and invaluable service to the community. Our accomplishments include the development of a comprehensive management plan for the lower San Pablo Creek watershed, leadership of GPS, BMI and trash surveys in collaboration with the County, and extensive riparian habitat restoration of public access creek sites at the El Sobrante Library, former Boys and Girls Club, and De Anza High.

8. Responsible individuals Program Coordinator Helen Fitanides will provide general oversight for the project. Helen has been with SPAWNERS for over five years and has a strong academic background in watershed issues and extensive experience in community outreach, project management, and environmental education. Mairead Owens, a former teacher, will take the lead on lesson plans and activities, while the Steering Committee will guide, support, and offer technical expertise regarding riparian restoration practice.

9. Permits We do not anticipate needing any permits for the proposed projects.

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Contra Costa County Office Use Only: 2020 Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund Application Cover Page N Project title:

Organization/Individual applying:

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

Address:

Telephone: Fax:

E-mail:

Name and title of contact person:

One sentence summary of proposal:

Requested grant:

Proposal prepared by (name & title):

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

______Signed on ______1/6/2020 1 Signed Application Cover Page See first page.

2 Description of Project The University of California Berkeley Office of Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) is seeking funding from the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund for the protection and conservation of wildlife through the implementation of aggressive invasive species management plan in the spring of 2020 as a supplement to the overall Coastal Terrace Prairie (CTP) management at the Richmond Field Station (RFS). 2.1 Location The CTP and interconnected Western Stege Marsh is located on the RFS on the edge of San Francisco Bay in Richmond, CA. A 2013 evaluation of the prairie concluded that there are a total of 22 acres of high quality CTP grassland habitat at the RFS that stretches from the original shoreline to approximately a quarter of a mile inland.1 This prairie is a rare asset in Contra Costa County given the total species distribution and special-status species and communities present, as well as the connection to nine acres of marsh and ecotone habitat. The CTP at the RFS is the last remaining ecosystem of its kind; only four remnant patches of coastal prairie still exist in the East Bay, with the RFS patch being the only one on lowland clay soil.2 The CTP contains a rich array of vegetation assemblages including wet meadow and fresh water seeps and rich assortment of perennial grasses, depending on the location, soil type and the moisture regimen. Plant species include iris-leaved rush (Juncus phaeocephalus), western rush (Juncus occidentalis), spreading rush (J. patens), slender rush (J. tenuis congestus), wood rush (Luzula comosa), foothill sedge (Carex tumulicola), meadow barley (Hordeum brachyantherum), squirreltail (Elymus multisetus), purple needlegrass (Stipa pulchra), and slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus). 3 The presence of the slender wheatgrass at this site was a significant botanical discovery as lowland ecotypes of slender wheatgrass are very rare.4 The grassland also supports 23 locally rare grassland species; and more than 50 local native plant species. Powell identified a diversity of butterflies and invertebrates supported by the prairie vegetation, and other studies have noted that the grassland provides important foraging habitat for a diversity of raptors including red-tailed, red-shouldered and Coopers hawks.5,6 The CTP is located adjacent to tidally influenced, Western Stege Marsh, Meeker Slough, and Meeker Creek. These habitats along with the connection to the prairie support a diversity of wildlife species, including the Ridgway’s rail and many migratory birds. The federally endangered Ridgway’s rail (Rallus obsoletus) is a tidal- marsh dependent bird whose distribution is restricted entirely to the San Francisco Bay estuary. 2.2 Coastal Terrace Prairie Invasive Species Management As part of the 2014 long range development planning process, UC completed an Environmental Impact Report, including Appendix G: The Coastal Terrace Prairie Management Plan.7 This plan built on past successful multi-

1 Wildlife Research Associates, Jane Valerius Environmental Consulting. "Final Richmond Field Station Grassland Constraint Analysis." 2013 (https://rfs-env.berkeley.edu/publications) 2 David Amme Associates. “Environmental Impact Report: Existing Conditions of Grassland Resources.” 1993 (https://rfs- env.berkeley.edu/publications) 3 URS. “Final Report Botanical Survey Report” 2007 (https://rfs-env.berkeley.edu/publications) 4 David Amme. “UC Richmond Field Station’s Remnant Coastal Terrace Grassland.” 2005 (https://rfs- env.berkeley.edu/publications) 5 Jerry A. Powell. “Richmond Field Station Lepidoptera.” 1994 (https://rfs-env.berkeley.edu/publications) 6 Tetra Tech. “Environmental Impact Report: Richmond Bay Campus Long Range Development Plan.” 2014 (https://berkeley.app.box.com/s/yib7n4ktfjgmyu7po1mr5cv5hldyngz5) 7 Ibid. partner efforts to restore locally rare habitat, administer education programs, and develop the University’s stewardship program. One of the plan’s goals is to restore and manage approximately 15 acres of contiguous relict coastal grasslands on the RFS campus. Today the ongoing focus of management and stewardship actions has been (1) the mapping and control of targeted invasive plant infestations, particularly Harding grass (Phalaris aquatica; which has significantly altered the prairie’s ecological integrity) and Picris echioides, (2) planting native wetland and grassland species, (3) delineating wetland features, (4) determining local variations in groundwater depth, and (4) and monitoring the grassland for locally rare plants. The focus of this proposal is to enhance ongoing efforts in item (1). The primary management activity prescribed in the CTP Management Plan for invasives management is mowing. However, in practice, mowing has been shown to not sufficiently prevent further invasion of Phalaris aquatica into the core prairie. This proposal aims to supplement existing mowing practices with the following strategies:

• Removal of thatch after mowing to allow lower native bunch grass species to grow • Pilot and examine success of goats as a Phalaris aquatica control tool • Targeted removal of Phalaris aquatica island patches in the core area through a combination of removal and targeted herbicide treatment. This multi-pronged strategy has been developed in consultation with UC Berkeley faculty and staff. 2.3 Benefit to Wildlife of Contra Costa County This project directly addresses the goals of the Committee through (1) tidal marsh and upland habitat creation and restoration, and (2) protection of rare coastal terrace prairie habitat. Ecotones and uplands near wetlands are tremendously valuable to waterfowl and shorebirds for cover, foraging and nesting habitat. Continued restoration efforts enhance wildlife habitat in the upland coastal prairie areas. A diversity of raptors (including red-tailed, red-shouldered, Cooper’s hawks, peregrine falcons, and kestrels) have been observed feeding in the coastal terrace prairie areas (Farrell, 2008). Additionally, species including the Western burrowing owl, Short-eared owl and salt marsh common yellowthroat (special status wildlife species) have the potential to occur within the areas adjacent to Stege marsh, benefiting from restoration actions. Lastly, the grassland habitat supports a diversity of locally rare plant species, including the Oregon timwort. 2.4 Requirements of Fish and Game Code This project satisfies one component of Fish and Game Code #13103 for expenditures of the fish and wildlife propagation fund: section (e), improvement of fish and wildlife habitat through vegetation management.

3 Project Schedule Winter 2020: 1. Prepare scope of work for the Management Strategy and begin procurement of equipment 2. Identify landscaping services firm to provide specialized weed management of islands in prairie core 3. Delineate extent of core prairie with wood stakes and tape 4. Train maintenance and contractor crews to initiate spring weed control mowing and spot treatment 5. Pilot use of goats as Phalaris aquatica control Spring-Summer 2020: 1. Complete Management Strategy 2. Implement mowing with thatch collection equipment 3. Conducted specialized weed removal and treatment (repeated as necessary) in prairie core 4. Implement goat regime if pilot proves successful

4 Project Budget

Mower and Baler Rental/Service provider ($250/acre*6.7 acres*3 times) $5,000 Goat transport and support $1,500 Landscaping Services for invasive island removal $3,000 Total $9,500

5 Annual Budget for the Applying Organization Office of Environment, Health & Safety annual budget: $9.5M

6 Statement Describing the Applying Organization The Office of Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) provides provides safety and regulatory compliance enforcement services to all UC Berkeley campus units. Within EH&S, the Environmental Protection Team coordinates, monitors and reports compliance with environmental regulations related to air emissions, water quality, ground contamination, and creek habitat.

7 Statement Describing the Qualifications of the Sponsoring Organization and Participating Individuals for Completing the Project The EH&S Environmental Protection team is staffed by Environmental Specialists with experience in native California restoration, including previous prairie work at the Richmond Field Station, and restoration projects along the Codornices and Strawberry Creeks. The Environmental Protection team will be responsible for overseeing the invasive management program, to include procurement of goods and services, guidance in the field, and training of Richmond Field Station staff. This team has guided invasive species removal in the CTP for the last 13 years.

8 List of Individuals Responsible for Performing Project and Of Individuals Responsible for Overseeing Project Alicia Bihler will provide oversight for all components of the Coastal Terrace Prairie Invasive Species Management. Specific project components will be contracted out to or performed by the RFS facilities staff.

9 Statement Describing the Status of Permit Approvals Necessary to Perform Project No permits are required to perform this project. Contra Costa County Office Use Only: 2020 Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund Application Cover Page O Project title: Contra Costa County Foundations in Restoration Course

Organization /Individual applying: Golden Hour Restoration Institute (organization type: please circle one — government, non-profit, for-profit, other (explain) Address: Golden Hour Restoration Institute 2930 Domingo Ave. Suite #179 Berkeley, CA 94705

Telephone: 714 660 8223 or 510-495-5885 E-mail: [email protected]

Name and title of contact person: Wyllie Clayson, Project Coordinator

One Sentence Summary of proposal: The Contra Costa County Foundations in Restoration Course is a professionally taught educational program for volunteers, local practitioners, and interested public that will increase understanding, awareness and knowledge around restoration ecology and conservation efforts within Contra Costa County.

Requested grant: $2,750

Proposal prepared by (name & title): Wyllie Clayson, Project Coordinator

Signature:

Signed on: 1-5-20 Please review and follow the instructions below. Plan your submission accordingly in addition to the Application Cover Page, please submit the following information 1. Description of the project for which funding is requested. Please include an explanation of: How this project will benefit the fish and wildlife of Contra Costa County Our organization has three years of experience organizing successful and enriching Foundations in Restoration (FIR) courses. The presentations are given by professionals who have designed, implemented or overseen the work and have interest in helping train the next generation of stewards. The goal is to encourage active learning, discussions and healthy conversation between the participants and the instructors. We have had great success creating this environment with small groups (up to 15 participants). We organize one presentation per week, on Wednesday from 5-7pm, and work with instructors to create meaningful and effective instruction. The course meets for 8 weeks, so often our participants form strong bonds and a restoration cohort that shares ideas for many years into the future. Past presenters include industry, agency and consulting professionals from over 20 different organizations. Matthew Bettelheim, a Senior Wildlife Biologist with AECOM, who talked on Western Pond Turtle restoration and pond design with the turtles and other native species in mind. The talk included an overview of current practices and successes, while challenging the class to draw their own designs using their knowledge, and then as an open critique going through them and talking about what aspects of the classes designs work, which could be improved upon, and comparing them to his own design in a case study. Another presenter, Brian Petersen of Audubon Canyon Ranch presented on Fire ecology and post-fire surveys in the Mount Diablo area and how citizen scientists can collect important data. Sasha Gennet of The Nature Conservancy has presented on community restoration in the Parajo Watershed including teaching the principles of their “Climate Smart Restoration” technique and what it means in constructing a planting palette. The openness and uniqueness of the discussion-based design we implement seems to allow each participant to get what they need out of the class while also challenging them to think beyond their comfort level. This allows for enriched application and critical thinking to be implemented on any projects they themselves are involved in and also gives them professional contacts that can lead to more successful projects and outcomes. Another key aspect of the course is bringing the participants closer to the professionals working in their communities and keeping them informed or introducing them to local projects and knowledge that allow them to ask those specific questions, or get access to the resources that allows them to find the answer. The building of a professional but local network, not only from the speakers, but from the other class participants is a defining feature that leads to more awareness and project success. The Contra Costa County Foundations in Restoration project will benefit the fish and wildlife of Contra Costa County by providing an educational opportunity that is so often overlooked: training our volunteer, community and junior stewards on germane techniques that will improve their work efficacy. By bringing in local organizations of Contra Costa County, it will bring more awareness to the problems faced and the work going on in the county at large, and help develop a deeper relationship with those attending and their local environment. The course will also consist of required fieldwork and volunteer opportunities in which members will be able to work on local projects to become more connected to and invested in the Contra Costa County communities and cities in which they live and work. Please see our 2019 FIR application and information PDF: https://goldenhour.org/wp- content/uploads/2019/07/Foundations-in-Restoration-Certificate-info-and-application-2019.pdf

2. How this project meets the requirements of Section 13103 of the Fish & Game Code (attached) which defines the eligibility requirements for projects requesting funding from the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund. Indicate which letter(s) of the Section 13103 is/are satisfied. Our Contra Costa County Foundations in Restoration course will satisfy letter A of Section 13103. This project meets section A as this project will provide a publicly available course, consisting of an eight-week planned, formal lecture series centered around Contra Costa County. This course will be led by professionals and leaders in the field who create meaningful and impactful restoration projects. Audio recordings will also be made available to those interested as to provide members of the course as well as interested parties access to the meaningful discussions and lectures provided by the class. 3. Project schedule – The course runs 8 successive weeks, with a tentative start date of September 9th, 2020. Presentations are on Wednesday from 5-7pm at a location that is accessible by public transportation. Date Agency Proposed Topic of Discussion Sept. 9th San Francisco Estuary Institute Eastern Contra Costa County Historical Ecology Study Sept. 16th Save Mt. Diablo How to create a property monitoring and land stewardship plan. Sept. 23rd Contra Costa County Resource Conservation Rodeo Creek Watershed Vision District Plan Sept. 30th East Bay Regional Parks District Management and protection of rare plants at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve Oct. 7th Friends of Marsh Creek/ Restoration Design Group Three Creeks Parkway Project to restore a channel into a natural and sustainable floodway, and an enhanced park experience. Oct. 14th Eastern Contra Costa Habitat Conservation Plan Eastern Contra Costa Habitat Association Conservation Plan focusing on vernal pool and pond restoration. Oct. 21st Moraga-Orinda Fire District /Contra Costa Berkeley to Orinda Fuel Break Project Oct. 28th California Invasive Plant Council Invasive Weed Management

Note on Schedule: The final course syllabus is dependent upon instructor availability. The schedule and speakers are not final. We would encourage the Contra Costa Fish and Wildlife Commission to provide us with project suggestions.

4. Project budget (itemized). The Fish and Game Commission generally does not recommend funding for operating costs and overhead. Examples for these may include benefit such as health insurance, and operation cost such as electricity to run an office. If an hourly rate is listed, overhead cost needs to be itemized separately. The Committee generally gives preferences to funding material expenses (e.g. purchase of equipment). Because we have been running this program for 3 years now, we recognize the costs. Previously we have asked participants to fund the Program but we still often end up a short by 20-40% of total project costs. Your support will help ensure that the cost of this program is not a barrier to attendance.

GRANT REQUEST Item cost Quantity Total Cost Honorariums for 150 8 1200 instructors Refreshments 50 8 400 Location rental (library) 110 8 880 fee estimate Insurance (additional on 1 120 120 policy) required for rental space Course handouts/printing 1 150 150 Sum Requested 2750 MATCHING Staff hours Lech 27.5 20 550 Wyllie 18.5 40 740 SUM Matching 1290 Notes on budget: We expect to charge $100 tuition for the course while having three limited income or “free” spaces, with a total of 15 students. We attempt to offer spaces to everyone with a completed application regardless of ability to pay. The course fees will cover our staff time as our student match, and additionally, we have found, fees increase regular attendance and participation.

5. Annual budget for the applying organization (NOT itemized). Our annual budget for FY2018 was $85,180. Our FY2019 is not fully reviewed/audited but is estimated to be $77,827 +/- 10%. 6. Statement describing the applying organization, listing the Board of Directors and officers of the organization, and listing all affiliated organizations.

Statement: Golden Hour Restoration Institute prides itself on being a dynamic, inspiring field-based restoration ecology institute driven by community. Our mission is to provide engaging science-based instruction and project leadership in order to conserve and restore native species and habitats. Our strategy is to bring small groups of people into the outdoors and complete projects with professional instruction seeded in sound science. Since 2007 we have been helping land managers, park agency staff, NGO’s, consultants, and community groups create ecologically meaningful projects in their own communities. Golden Hour has partnered with over 25 different organizations in the past 10 years. Golden Hour Restoration has been a partner in many successful projects including, but not limited to: Mt. Umunhum summit restoration, Serpentine Prairie (Oakland) Restoration, various federally-endangered Pallid Manzanita restoration projects and plans, Mission Blue Butterfly restoration, and prioritization of significant plant species for restoration with the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department Natural Areas Program, and more. Board List: Ryan Branciforte, Treasurer, is the CEO of Trailhead Labs and a former conservation planner in the Bay Area. Sasha Gennet, Chair of Organizational Development, is currently a regional ecologist with The Nature Conservancy, California office. Andy Toebben is a partner and member of the Executive Committee of his Bay Area law firm, VLP Law Group. Lech Naumovich works as the Executive Director for Golden Hour Restoration Institute. Liz Rumsey, Vice President, works as an environmental lawyer for the California Attorney General’s office. Affiliated Organizations: Our affiliated organizations include the US Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the East Bay Regional Park District, San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department (Natural Areas Program), Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space District as well as citizen, research, and advocacy groups such as Bay Nature Institute, Golden Gate Audubon Society, Citizens for a Sustainable Point Molate, California Native Plant Society, California Native Grasslands Association, the University of California Berkeley, and Dominican University. 7. Statement describing the qualifications of the sponsoring organization and participating individuals for completing the project. Lech Naumovich started this course 3 years ago. He is a regionally recognized restoration ecologist with many publications and reports for partners and agencies who works towards building awareness and technical skills around restoration ecology. He is a co-author of the Annotated Flora of the East Bay and has 17 years of restoration ecology experience in California. He has a Master’s Degree in Restoration and Landscape Ecology from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Science. 8. List of individuals responsible for performing project and of individuals responsible for overseeing project. Individuals performing work and program oversight would include: Lech Naumovich, Executive Director and Wyllie Clayson, Staff Biologist 9. Statement describing the status of permit approvals necessary to perform project (if applicable) (Permit must be in place prior to requesting funds) None.

Request for an exception to the grant funding cost reimbursement due to financial hardship or an exception for a small project under $1,000. No exception required. Contra Costa County Office Use Only: 2020 Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund Application Cover Page

Project title: P Curry Creek Restoration Fencing

Organization/Individual applying: (Organization type: please check one – government, non-profit, for-profit, other (explain) Save Mount Diablo

Address: 1901 Olympic Boulevard, Suite 320 Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Telephone: Fax: (925) 947-3535 (925) 947-0642

E-mail: [email protected]

Name and title of contact person: Kathy Chamberlin, Grant Writer

One sentence summary of proposal: Save Mount Diablo proposes to improve habitat for wildlife, including threatened species, along a sensitive riparian corridor of Curry Creek by installing a wildlife-friendly, livestock-exclusion fence.

Requested grant: $9,380

Proposal prepared by (name & title) Kathy Chamberlin, Grant Writer

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

______Signed on ____1/6/20______

Page 1 of 4 • Description of the project for which funding is requested.

Section 13103 requirements The proposed project meets the requirements of Section 13103(e) of the Fish and Game Code, specifically, “… fencing; planting trees and other vegetation management…”.

Project Summary Save Mount Diablo respectfully requests a grant of $9,800 to cover the cost of wildlife-friendly livestock-exclusion fencing to protect a sensitive, quarter-mile section of Curry Creek where Valley Oak restoration is scheduled in 2020.

Background Valley Oak habitat along sections of Curry Creek is in decline. Natural re-vegetation of these areas of flood plain has been disrupted by years of cattle grazing, and oak seedlings have been unable to take hold. Save Mount Diablo has scheduled restoration of these areas in 2020, with plans to plant, cage and maintain young Valley Oaks and associated native vegetation so that the affected flood plains can support wildlife and help maintain stream health. One key restoration site, located adjacent to Save Mount Diablo’s new Field Research Station at Curry Canyon Ranch, is subject to damage by cattle during the summer when the herd seeks water from Curry Creek. We have developed alternative water sources for the herd away from the creek, but livestock continue to damage the stream bed and pollute the stream. Young plants are grazed in spite of caging; Valley Oaks in particular have difficulty regenerating.

Importance of the Project to Contra Costa County’s Fish and Wildlife Curry Creek is an important fresh waterway in Contra Costa County. Nearly six miles in length, Curry Creek drains into the upper Marsh Creek Watershed on the eastern slopes of Mount Diablo, directly impacting Marsh Creek’s immediate and long-term health. Marsh Creek is the second longest and least disturbed creek in Contra Costa County. The riparian habitat supported by Curry Creek serves as a vital wildlife corridor, supporting foraging, migration, and reproduction.

Species that utilize the Creek include the Alameda whipsnake and California red legged frog, both designated as threatened. For the Alameda whipsnake, the area provides especially optimal habitat. As noted in the federal designation of critical habitat for the species (which includes part of Curry Canyon Ranch and nearby public lands on Mount Diablo), Curry Canyon provides “some of the very highest quality and largest contiguous blocks of habitat within the range of the subspecies, as well as some of its most robust populations.” The threatened California red-legged frog also depends upon the habitat provided by Curry Creek. With lands designated as critical habitat for this species reduced in 2010 (but no change in its threatened status), together with impacts of prolonged drought, it is crucial to support the integrity of the species’ current range. Other amphibians supported by the creek include Western Pond Turtles, which like to stage themselves on boulders and logs in the semi pooled or stagnant water found in the creek, and California Tiger Salamanders, which seek out the vernal pools that appear when summer heat shrinks the stream.

Page 2 of 4 The proposed fencing project will be a key step toward protecting these species and other wildlife that thrive in Curry Creek’s riparian habitat. According to the US Department of Agriculture, the benefits of livestock exclusion may include reduced soil erosion, sedimentation, pathogen contamination and pollution from dissolved, particulate, and sediment-attached substances. As the targeted area of habitat recovers, regrowth of the creek’s riparian canopy will serve to reduce evaporation and creek temperature, which is important to the health of the species that live there.

Work Plan This is a straightforward project that has three steps: (1) Secure final bids from three fencing contractors to install 1,340 feet of wildlife-friendly, livestock-exclusion fence to protect new plantings in the Curry Creek flood plain adjacent to Save Mount Diablo’s new Field Research Station, (2) oversee contractor during the installation process, and (3) review the finished project and complete reporting and paperwork. Preliminary pricing is at $7.00 per linear foot of installed fence (three smooth wires and two barbed wires at top and bottom). Work will be completed before plantings are installed in fall, 2020.

• Project budget (itemized).

Project Expenses: $9,380 Fencing, installed, 1,340 linear feet at $7.00 per foot.

• Annual budget for the applying organization (not itemized).

Save Mount Diablo’s operating budget for fiscal year April 1, 2019 – March 31, 2020 is $2,922,154.

• Statement describing the applying organization, listing the Board of Directors and officers of the organization, and listing all affiliated organizations completing the project.

Mission / Programs / Accomplishments. Save Mount Diablo’s mission is to forever preserve the remaining 60,000 acres of natural lands around Mount Diablo through a conservation approach that integrates perpetual land preservation, advocacy, stewardship, land use planning, and education programs. We work to preserve Mount Diablo’s peaks, surrounding foothills, and watersheds through land acquisition and preservation strategies designed to protect the mountain’s natural beauty, biological diversity, and historical and agricultural heritage; enhance our area’s quality of life, and provide recreational opportunities consistent with the protection of natural resources.

To accomplish our mission we (1) preserve natural lands through direct acquisition, easements, and cooperative efforts with public agencies, other land conservation organizations and private landowners, (2) defend Mount Diablo and its foothills from threats of development through land- use planning and policy work, (3) restore habitat on lands we acquire and manage through a range of stewardship activities, and (4) educate and provide the public with recreational opportunities. Together with partners and allies, Save Mount Diablo has increased and stewarded the amount of protected land on and around Mount Diablo from 6,788 acres in 1971 to more than 110,000 acres in 2019. Save Mount Diablo is accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.

Page 3 of 4 Board of Directors • Keith Alley, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, UC Merced (ret.) • Burt Bassler, Treasurer, Independent Management Consultant • Jim Felton, Senior Biomedical Scientist (ret.), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory • John Gallagher, Veterinarian (ret.) • Joe Garaventa, President, Hall Sports Ventures • Garrett Girvan, MBA, Chief Financial Officer (ret.) • Liz Harvey-Roberts, Chief Development Officer, The Nature Conservancy (CA Chapter) • Claudia Hein, Vice President/Secretary, Professor of Chemistry, Diablo Valley College • Scott Hein, Ph.D., Founding Principal, Diablo Analytical, Inc. • Giselle Jurkanin, J.D., Real Estate Development Attorney (ret.) • Margaret Kruse, School District Administrator (ret.) • Carol Lane, Registered Nurse (ret.) • Frank Martens, Founder and CEO, Peninsula Engineering Solutions • Bob Marx, Principle, Marx Associates, Inc., Owner, Summit Ranch Equine Center, LLC • Robert Phelps, Ph.D., Associate Professor of History & Executive Director, California State University East Bay, Concord Campus • Malcolm Sproul, Ph.D., President, Principal/Biologist, LSA Associates • Jeff Stone, J.D., Asset and Project Manager, Diamond Construction

• List of individuals responsible for performing project and of individuals responsible for overseeing project.

The project will be overseen by Peter Townley, Save Mount Diablo’s Land Stewardship Manager. Peter, who joined Save Mount Diablo in January 2020, has extensive experience in restoration project management. Earlier in his career Peter served as Executive Director of the Guadalupe- Coyote Resource Conservation District. He also led restoration projects in the Klamath Basin Watershed as a Resource Conservationist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Peter will supervise staff working on the project, manage the budget, and ensure accurate and timely reporting.

The project will be implemented by Roxana Lucero, Land Stewardship Associate. Roxana joined Save Mount Diablo in 2017, having attended San Francisco State and earned her B.S. in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Natural Resource Management and Conservation. For the proposed project, Roxana will ensure the fence is completed according to contract.

No support is requested for Mr. Townley’s or Ms. Lucero’s time.

• Statement describing the status of permit approvals necessary to perform project (if applicable).

No permit approvals are necessary for this project.

Page 4 of 4

1. Project Description The 2013 East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) Master Plan highlights the importance of connecting youth to nature and building future environmental stewards. Unfortunately, over the past several decades, being 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 contact with the natural environment they are missing key opportunities for physical activity, stress reduction, attention restoration, and healthy development (Committee on Environmental Health, 2009). And as equally as important, this “Nature Deficit” also weakens ecological literacy and stewardship of the natural world (Louv, 2006). By not going outside to play in the natural world kids miss out on these great health improvement opportunities and can grow up without an understanding of basic ecological principles and what they can do to be good stewards of our environment.

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, exploring nature, and learning to follow a trail. These themes are the basis for KHOC which includes 10 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 is done, 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 generous support of organizations such as the Contra Costa County 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 stew • Promote health, well-being, & life-long parks use

Kids Healthy Outdoors Challenge SY 18-19 KHOC CCC Students Invited Teachers 2012-2019 Breakdown by Supervisorial District 200 Dist I 150 35% Dist III 43% 100 Dist IV

50 Dist V

0 20% 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 2% Participating School Districts & Schools One of the goals of KHOC is to introduce kids to the East Bay Contra Costa County School Year 18-19 Regional Park District parks that are right in their backyard. For many kids, they have never visited these local parks nor do their • Bay Point – Rio Vista & Shores Acres families know about the Park system. The field trip, which is typically • Concord – Ayers, Meadow Homes, Sun done in the spring, is very popular with teachers and kids alike. Terrace, & Sunrise Teacher evaluations reveal that kids love the parks so much that they • El Cerrito – Fairmont & Harding often return to the parks with their families over the weekend. • El Sobrante – Olinda • Hercules – Lupine Hills Some parks are closer and more accessible than others, and the • Mt Diablo – Shores Acres most popular are typically the parks where a naturalist guide is • Oakley – Oakley Elementary available to help with the field trip. In the 2018-19 school year these parks were visited: Coyote Hills (21%), Tilden Nature Area (21%), • Pinole – Collins & Shannon Elementary Black Diamond Mines (16%), Crab Cove (11%), Martinez Shoreline • Pittsburg – Willow Cove Elementary (7%), Del Valle (6%), Garin (4%), Big Break (4%), Redwood (3%), • Richmond – Grant, Nystrom, Richmond, Ardenwood (1%), Other parks (6%). College Prep, & Washington Elementary • Rodeo – Rodeo Hills Elementary The cost of providing transportation continues to remain very low at • San Pablo – Edward M. Downer & approximately $12.00 per bus passenger and on average the buses Montalvin Elementary carried 60 people. This year we are requesting $15,000 to help cover

*These are the schools we worked with during the cost of transportation, and $3,000 to help pay for the cost of the 18-19 School Year and anticipate printing the teacher and student booklets. These funds will only be welcoming back most, if not all, for the 19-20 used for the schools in Contra Costa County. Based on the numbers school year. If awarded funding, money will listed above, an award of $15,000 will cover approximately 1,250 strictly be spent on CCC schools. kids in Contra Costa County.

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) - $3,990,090 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.

Executive Team General Membership Lisa Baldinger Amber Miksza President - Jess Brown East Bay Regional Park District REI, Inc Pacific Gas and Electric Patricia Deutsche Holly Potter Marathon Petroleum Company Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Vice President - Peter Liu Audree Jones-Taylor Taj Tashombe Clean Energy Advantage Partners City of Oakland Parks & Recreation Oakland Athletics Renee Kemp Jack Uhalde Treasurer - Helane Morrison Media/Communications Consultant NBC Bay Area Hall Capital Partners Bruce Kern Keith White Economic Consultant Gap, Inc Secretary - Les Hausrath John Martin Geoffrey Zimmerman Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean, Drake’s Brewing Company Wealth Planner LLP Thomas Meier

Kaiser Foundation Health Plan

4. Statement describing the qualifications of the sponsoring organization and participating individuals for completing the project For 85 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 4 – Applications due to Park District (teachers must apply each year to be part of the program • October 16 – Selected classrooms announced • November 2019 (4 dates) – Teacher orientation – Required for all • December 2 – Due date for naturalist guided field trip requests (optional) • March 2, 2020 – Transportation request forms due – for the field trip to an East Bay Regional Park • May 8, 2020 – Last day to complete curriculum and field trips • Late May 2020 – End of year teacher survey

8. Project Budget

Kids Healthy Outdoors Challenge Item & Description Cost Propagation Fund Request Bus Transportation - Fieldtrips to Regional Parks for $55,000 $15,000 low-income schools (Average $12.00 per child) Personnel $16,000 Contract - Program Coordinator for teacher outreach, $10,925 assessments, and evaluation KHOC Teacher's Guide - Print $1,600 KHOC Student Booklets - Print $9,270 $3,000 Teacher Orientation - Supplies & Lunches $2,500 Park Specific Activity Kits $250 School Outreach $500 Total $90,600 $18,000 *If awarded a grant, funds will exclusively support schools located in Contra Costa County

At the Regional Parks Foundation we believe that connections with nature are critical for a healthy and balanced life, and that these benefits should not just be available to some, but to everyone. We hope you will consider supporting your Regional Parks!

Grant&Proposal&to&the&Contra&Costa&County&Fish&and&Wildlife&Committee&& ! Resolving*Negative*Human1Wildlife*Interactions*(AKA*Urban*Wildlife* Conflicts)*in*Contra*Costa*County*1*2020* ! & Funding&Request&and&Project&Description& International!Bird!Rescue!respectfully!requests!renewed!support!from!the!Contra!Costa!County!Fish!and!Wildlife! Committee.!The!goal!of!this!project!is!to!address!known,!ongoing!Urban!Wildlife!Conflicts!(negative!human(wildlife! interactions)!in!Contra!Costa!County!in!2020.!It!will!benefit!Contra!Costa!wildlife!by!giving!aquatic!birds!that!have! been!harmed!by!human!impact!a!second!chance!at!a!normal!life.!The!grant’s!purpose!is!to!offset!nutrition,!medicine,! and!veterinary!medical!supply!costs!for!birds!admitted!from!Contra!Costa!County!to!our!San!Francisco!Bay(Delta! Wildlife!Center!between!April!1!and!December!31,!2020.! ! Our!San!Francisco!Bay(Delta!Wildlife!Center!in!Cordelia,!CA!admits!approximately!3,000!local!aquatic!birds!annually,! and!releases!them!back!into!the!wild!once!they!are!successfully!rehabilitated.!We!receive!an!average!of!175!birds! annually!from!Contra!Costa!County.!As!a!"referral!hospital,"!we!are!the!hospital!of!last!resort:!often!treating!the!most! challenging!cases!that!are!beyond!the!capacity!or!skills!of!other!regional!wildlife!centers!and!clinics,!including!our! partners!at!Lindsay!Wildlife!Experience,!among!many!others. ! Unlike!traditional!veterinary!clinics,!our!patients!come!to!us!with!no!funding,!no!insurance,!and!no!one!responsible! for!paying!the!bill.!Birds!injured!by!human!impact!(as!the!majority!of!our!cases!are)!require!capable,!specially!skilled! hands!and!large!volumes!of!food!and!vitamins!in!order!to!be!rehabilitated!successfully!and!returned!to!the! environment.!Only!with!philanthropic!support!from!concerned!citizens,!foundations,!corporations,!and!municipal! agencies!are!we!able!to!meet!the!demand!for!our!services.!! ! Organizational&Overview&–&Qualifications,&Partners,&Permits,&and&Personnel& We!were!founded!in!1971!in!response!to!a!massive!oil!spill!that!covered!50!miles!of!coastline!on!all!sides!of!the! Golden!Gate!Bridge,!effecting!between!7,000!and!15,000!birds.!Since!then,!we!have!become!a!global&leader!in! addressing!man(made!disasters!affecting!marine!wildlife,!such!as!oil!spills!and!debris,!and!have!pioneered!life(saving! techniques!to!address!ongoing!human!impacts!on!aquatic!birds.!We&pursue&our&mission&to&inspire&people&to&act& toward&balance&with&the&natural&world&rescuing&waterbirds&in&crisis&through&four&core&programs:!! ! •! Wildlife&Rescue&and&Rehabilitation:!Not!counting!oil!spills,!millions!of!birds!die!every!year!due!to!injury!from! fishing!(hooks,!nets,!and!lines),!human!cruelty!(illegal!shootings),!habitat!disruption,!starvation,!pollution,!and!climate! change(induced!hazards!including!algae!blooms!and!domoic!acid!toxicity.!Our!two!specialty!hospitals!in!LA!and!near! San!Francisco!treat!4,500!native!aquatic!birds!annually!and!release!them!back!into!the!wild.!This!ongoing!work! maintains!our!staff!and!volunteers’!skills!and!facilities!to!respond!rapidly!to!crisis!events!when!they!occur.!Each!case! we!treat!is!a!step!towards!restoring!balance!to!our!global!ecosystem.! ! •! Wildlife&Emergency&Response&and&Preparedness&Services:!We!provide!wildlife!capture,!rehabilitation,!and! documentation!for!oil!spills!and!other!marine!emergencies.!Since!1971,!we!have!led!wildlife!rescue!efforts!in!over! 225!incidents!on!six!of!the!seven!continents,!and!have!treated!over!120,000!wild!lives.! ! •! Research&and&Innovation:!We!continually!evaluate!techniques!and!protocols!to!improve!animal!care!and! professional!emergency!response,!conduct!clinical!trials,!and!publish!post(release!studies.! ! •! Outreach&and&Education:!Education!of!the!public,!of!energy!industry!workers,!and!of!wildlife!first!responders!is!an! essential!component!of!our!work!to!protect!and!restore!wildlife!populations.!

! ! www.Bird(Rescue.org!0!San!Francisco!Bay!0!Los!Angeles!0!Anchorage!0!grants@bird(rescue.org! !

! Throughout!a!bird's!time!with!us,!from!their!initial!triage!assessment!to!their!release,!we!record!data!and!track!their! progress!using!RaptorMed!software.!In!addition,!treated!birds!are!banded!so!that!other!scientists,!volunteers,!and! enthusiasts!can!track!them!in!the!wild,!and!in!case!a!treated!bird!returns!to!us!for!further!care.!We!are!one!of!the!few! organizations!that!possess!the!federal!permit!to!band!birds.!! ! The!data!generated!by!the!banding!effort,!as!well!as!our!internal!data,!is!analyzed!by!our!veterinary!care!team!as!part! of!ongoing!research,!and!the!results!shared!at!professional!conferences!and!with!our!partners!in!the!Global!Oiled! Wildlife!Response!System,!a!consortium!of!leading!experts!solving!the!challenges!of!oiled!wildlife!globally.! ! International!Bird!Rescue!is!a!founding!partner!in!the!State!of!California's!Oiled!Wildlife!Care!Network!(OWCN),!as! well!as!a!member!of!the!Global!Oiled!Wildlife!Response!System!(GOWRS),!a!consortium!of!leading!experts!trying!to! solve!the!challenges!of!oiled!wildlife.!Other!partners!include!local,!state!and!federal!Fish!and!Wildlife!departments,! multiple!Audubon!Society!chapters,!and!local!Animal!Control!agencies.! ! Executive!Director!JD!Bergeron!manages!a!professional!staff!of!29.!Our!staff!have!literally!"written!the!book"!on!wild! animal!care,!contributing!to!"Merck!Veterinary!Manual"!and!“Medical!Management!of!Wildlife!Species:!A!Guide!for! Practitioners,”!among!many!others.!Senior!personnel!responsible!for!the!San!Francisco!Bay(Delta!Wildlife!Center! include:!! (!Rebecca!Duerr!DVM!PMVM!PhD,!Clinical!Veterinarian!and!Research!Director! (!Julie!Skoglund,!Program!Operations!Manager!! (!Isabel!Luevano,!San!Francisco!Bay(Delta!Wildlife!Center!Manager!! ! Our!nine(member!Board!of!Directors!includes:!! (!Ron!Morris,!Chair;!Captain,!U.S.!Coast!Guard!(retired)! (!Toni!Arkoosh!Pinsky,!Vice!Chair;!Community!Leader! (!John!Sifling,!Treasurer;!Principal,!Broad!Reach!Maritime! (!Jodi!Benassi,!Secretary;!Associate,!McDermott!Will!&!Emery!LLP! (!Carmine!Dulisse,!President!and!CEO,!Marine!Spill!Response!Corporation! (!Maria!Hartley;!Global!Technical!Lead,!Chevron!Center!for!Emergency!Preparedness!and!Response! (!Ian!Robinson!DVM;!VP!of!Programs!and!International!Operations,!International!Fund!for!Animal!Welfare!(retired)! (!Beth!Slatkin;!Director!of!Marketing!and!Outreach,!Bay!Nature!Institute! (!JD!Bergeron;!Executive!Director,!International!Bird!Rescue! ! Meeting&the&Requirements&of&Section&13103&of&the&Fish&&&Game&Code&& The!work!of!International!Bird!Rescue!addresses!multiple!elements!of!the!California!Fish!and!Wildlife!Code,!especially! in!Section!13103.! ! The!proposed!project!is!a!direct!expression!of!13103(b):!“Temporary!emergency!treatment!and!care!of!injured!or! orphaned!wildlife."!The!individual!animals!we!return!to!the!wild!are!then!able!to!propagate!future!generations.! Working!with!Animal!Control!Officers!and!Game!Wardens,!we!also!address!element!13103(c):!“Temporary!treatment! and!care!of!wildlife!confiscated!by!the!department!as!evidence.”!!! ! Additionally,!through!our!Wildlife!Rescue!and!Rehabilitation!work!and!our!Wildlife!Emergency!Response!and! Preparedness!Services,!we!protect!and!restore!local!wildlife!populations,!especially!when!human!impact!has! negatively!affected!those!populations!and!individual!animals.!Though!not!the!primary!focus!of!this!grant,!our!ongoing! Research!leads!to!innovations!and!new!standards!in!wild!animal!care!(13103(i)),!and!our!public!education!efforts! reach!over!100,000!people!annually!through!numerous!social!media!channels!and!real(time!events!(13103(a)).! &

! !

Project&Schedule&and&Budget& Throughout!the!year,!concerned!Contra!Costa!County!residents!and!local!Animal!Control!officers!bring!us!wild,! injured!birds!collected!from!dense!urban!areas,!and!from!the!local!shores!and!waterways!of!San!Pablo!Bay,!Alhambra! Creek,!and!others.!Over!our!long!history!serving!northern!California!(and!emergencies!and!incidents! notwithstanding),!there!are!two!"peak!seasons"!for!our!San!Francisco!Bay(Delta!Wildlife!Center:!"Baby!Bird!Season"! from!April!to!August,!and!"Migratory!Bird!Season"!from!October!to!February.!! ! A!$12,500!grant!from!the!Contra!Costa!County!Fish!and!Wildlife!Committee!will!enable!us!to!treat!and!rehabilitate! approximately!80(85!wild!avian!Contra!Costa!patients!admitted!after!April!1,!2020.!Committee!funds!would!be!used! to!pay!for!costs!of!animal!nutrition,!medicine,!and!medical!supplies:! (!$10:!average!cost!per!bird!for!a!day's!worth!of!animal!nutrition,!medicine,!vitamins,!dietary!supplements!and! veterinary!supplies!(such!as!vet!wrap,!sutures,!surgical!supplies,!etc.)! (!15:!average!length!of!days!of!stay!for!a!bird!in!care! (!80(85:!approximate!#!of!birds!supported!by!a!$12,500!grant!in!2020! ! Our!plan!to!meet!the!demand!for!our!services!during!these!peak!times!involves!having!sufficient!staff,!volunteers,! supplies,!and!financial!resources!on!hand.!With!nearly!50!years!of!experience!treating!sick!and!injured!wild!aquatic! birds,!we!are!well!suited!to!address!these!ongoing!Urban!Wildlife!Conflicts.! ! However,!International!Bird!Rescue!must!secure!philanthropic!support!from!the!residents!and!municipalities!where! these!birds!are!found!and!released!in!order!to!keep!our!operations!sustainable.!In!the!past,!when!philanthropic! support!did!not!match!the!scope!of!work!presented!to!us,!organizational!reserves!have!been!used!to!support!the!San! Francisco!Bay(Delta!Wildlife!Center.!This!is,!understandably,!not!a!sustainable!solution.!The!plan!to!address!this! financial!imbalance!includes!an!organizational!investment!in!greater!fundraising!resources,!increased!outreach!to! local!communities!and!citizens,!and!additional!requests!made!to!granting!organizations!like!the!Contra!Costa!County! Fish!and!Wildlife!Committee.!In!fact,!support!last!year!from!this!Committee!was!leveraged!to!secure!first(time! support!from!Fish!and!Wildlife!Commissions!in!Alameda,!Napa,!Sonoma,!Los!Angeles,!and!Santa!Barbara.!! ! A!$12,500!grant!from!the!Contra!Costa!County!Fish!and!Wildlife!Committee!will!ensure!our!ability!to!provide! appropriate!nutrition!and!medicine!to!meet!the!demand!for!services!in!2020,!and!help!propagate!future!generations! of!local!wildlife.!Our!research!shows!that!rehabilitated!animals!achieve!successful,!long(term!outcomes,!including! (but!not!limited!to)!completing!average!life!expectancies,!producing!and!rearing!their!own!offspring,!and!serving!as! nutrition!for!other!animals.!Each!of!these!outcomes!is!an!important!component!of!a!healthy,!balanced!ecosystem.!!

Annual&Organizational&Budget& International!Bird!Rescue!operates!two!specialty!wildlife!hospitals!in!California!and!an!emergency!response!center!in! Alaska!on!a!balanced!$2.74M!annual!cash!budget.!! ! Total!annual!operating!expenses!for!the!San!Francisco!Bay(Delta!Wildlife!Center!are!approximately!$465,000.!Major! expenses!of!this!Center!include!$272,000!for!personnel!(birds!don’t!heal!or!treat!themselves),!approximately!$77,000! for!utilities!to!provide!clean!and!stable!wildlife!rehabilitation!enclosures!(as!opposed!to!utilities!for!office!uses),! including!tens!of!thousands!of!gallons!of!clean!and!temperature(controlled!water,!and!$61,000!for!clinical!and! medical!supplies!directly!related!to!animal!care.!! ! However,!as!much!as!personnel!and!energy!are!critical!to!our!work,!this!grant!request!focuses!on!necessary! expendable!materials:!medicine,!surgical!supplies,!rehabilitation!supplies,!and!nutrition!(such!as!food!and!vitamins)! for!the!wild!patients!in!our!care.! ! Previous!support!from!the!Committee!has!been,!and!continues!to!be,!recognized!on!our!website:!https://bird( rescue.org.!! ! International*Bird*Rescue Bird*Care*Costs*Analysis:*Nutrition*(food),*medicine,*vitamins,*supplements,*and*veterinary*supplies Dietary* Medication Suppleme Vitamins Nutrition Veterinary*Supplies

Typical* Night* Total* Weight* IverD* PraziD* Auklet* Smelt* HematoD* Cost/* Bird*Type (kg) Itra mectin quantel Baytril LactuDlose Carafate Panacur Meta Tabs Vitamin*E Vitamin*D Calcium Emeraid (fish) Needles crit*Tubes bird/*day

1.*Ducks/* Geese/* Loons 1.5 $0.23 $0.03 $3.28 $0.74 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.23 $0.06 $0.24 $0.00 $0.00 $3.37 $6.06 $0.06 $0.07 $14.37

2.* Herons/* Egrets 0.8 $0.12 $0.02 $1.75 $0.37 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.12 $0.03 $0.00 $0.13 $0.02 $1.80 $2.47 $0.06 $0.07 $6.96

3.*Gulls/* Western* Grebes 1 $0.15 $0.02 $2.19 $0.46 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.15 $0.04 $0.16 $0.00 $0.00 $2.25 $4.04 $0.06 $0.07 $9.59

Average $0.17 $0.02 $2.41 $0.52 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.17 $0.04 $0.13 $0.04 $0.01 $2.47 $4.19 $0.06 $0.07 $10.31

Most*prevalent*species*rescued,*rehabilitated,*and*released*in*Contra*Costa*County*are:* Cost*analysis*shows*minimum*daily*values*for*birds*accepted*for*care. 1.*ducks*(Mallard,*Wood),*geese*(Canada), 2.*herons*(Green,*BlackDcrowned),*egrets*(Snowy),*and Not*shown,*but*typically*used*are*additional*veterinary*supplies,*including: 3.*and*gulls*(Western,*California). autoclave*pouches,*xDray*film,*sterile*fluids,*sterile*syringes,* sterile*needles,*Tegaderm,*vet*wrap,*and*paper*tape.* Loons*and*grebes*also*are*found*in*numbers,* and*have*similar*requirements*to*the*most*prevalent*species*we*treat.* Birds*needing*surgery*also*require*sutures*(minimum*cost*=*$7/bird).

Although*species*are*shown*in*order*of*prevalence,*for*simplicity,* OVERALL,FINANICAL,IMPACT:,CONTRA,COSTA,COUNTY calculations*presume*equal*numbers*of*birds*in*each*category. Cost/bird/dayDofD Average*lengthDofD #*of*grantD care stay/bird supported*birds Total*cost $10.31 15 175 $27,051.50

GRANT,APPLICATION:,CONTRA,COSTA,COUNTY,FISH,AND,WILDLIFE,COMMISSION Cost/bird/dayDofD Average*lengthDofD #*of*grantD care stay/bird supported*birds Total*cost $10.31 15 81 $12,520.98

GRANT,REQUEST,= $12,500.00 S

Grant Project Title: Equipping the California Urban Streams Partnership for Greater Impact Project Description: At the California Urban Streams Partnership, we work at the intersection of watershed restoration and public education. We focus on bringing high-quality, effective, and low-cost solutions to common issues in urban streams, and making those solutions accessible to the public. We work to accomplish this goal through our programming: The Streamside Management Program for Landowners (SMPL) in partnership with Contra Costa County; our public workshop series; and supporting restoration projects throughout California. Working with property owners, we prevent large scale negative impacts on the watershed by intercepting badly designed homeowner projects with soil bioengineering, to protect fish habitat, in compliance with CA Fish and Game Code Section 13102(a) and (e). The county refers landowners who are experiencing issues with streams on their property to CUSP for free consultations and restoration assistance. The program was coordinated with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and San Francisco Bay Water Quality Control Board (WB) so that property owners who follow the SMPL report recommendations for stabilizing their stream banks and reducing flood damages can be exempt from full state permit requirements. Additionally, property owners with serious bank erosion problems are provided assistance by CUSP with soil bioengineering installations. The most common issues we address are bank erosion and lack of slope stability, leading to decreased water quality and loss of viable fish habitat in streams. The solutions we bring to the table are drawn from the science of soil bioengineering. Soil bioengineering is a biotechnical technique that uses a combination of plant materials and soil to control erosion and improve water quality and habitat. It combines structural and ecological methods recommended in federal engineering manuals, providing a cost-effective solution that provides long term stability, improves riparian habitat and is highly encouraged by the regulatory community. CUSP’s approach to soil bioengineering techniques is overseen by Dr. Ann Riley, a stream management expert. In 2020, CUSP will continue the existing tasks under the SMPL program to provide property visits in which we respond to referrals from the county, RCD, watershed councils, friends of creek organizations and cities which are publicizing the program. The property visits will result in reports for each property owner which are then forwarded to state regulatory agencies and the county. CUSP will assist up to four property owners each year to respond to requests for assistance to implement soil bioengineering projects. Each project is insured separately and hold harmless agreements signed by property owners for both the CUSP and RCD are required to receive assistance. The property owners will continue to be required to participate with CUSP in the work on their property so that any project is a joint venture. CUSP’s staff currently consists of three employees and the crucial volunteer work of Dr. Ann Riley to support our programs. We use willow for our soil bioengineering practices in all of our programming, the harvest and processing of which requires a great deal of labor and time. We operate on a small budget and with very few tools. Currently, all of our tools for willow harvest and installation are manual, including saws and loppers. With the addition of the requested tools, including the ability to rent a vehicle, the scale of our impact on the watersheds in our county will greatly increase. The use of electric tools would allow us to decrease the time we spend harvesting willows by more than half, allowing our limited staff hours to be focused on the heart of our work- working with people to better our watersheds and habitat. Access to a rental vehicle for our work days would provide us with a consistent means to transport all of our plant material and tools for our installations, workshops and restoration projects. Currently, we rely on volunteers for access to trucks. At times, we have had to put our work on hold, or reschedule, because we have been unable to secure a truck to transport the plant material for our work. Equipping our organization with a means of transportation and adequate tools would expand our scope of work and allow us to use our time and resources more effectively. Additionally, our urban stream protection and restoration work will be able to reach more populations and forge new partnerships throughout the county. Project Schedule: Year Round SMPL Visits – Average of 10-15 visits per month in Contra Costa County Year Round SMPL Soil Bioengineering Installations, as Needed (average 12 per year) March 2020 – Soil Bioengineering Workshop for CDFW Yountville (being scheduled) April 2020 – Soil Bioengineering Workshop for CSU East Bay Hayward and Friends of Creeks Groups December 2020 – Soil Bioengineering Workshop for City of Hayward October 2020 – January 2021- Codornices Creek Restoration, Kains St Berkely March 2021 – Soil Bioengineering Workshop with Watershed Stewards Program

Applying Organization Annual Budget: The California Urban Streams Partnership (CUSP) is a project of Earth Island Institute (EII). Annual Budget for CUSP: $33,196.70 Annual Budget of Earth Island Institute: $19,973,821

Applying Organization Statement: CUSP’s Advisory Board: Rachel Kamman, Claire Elliott, Michael Gregory, Matt Graul, Mike Vukman, Jessica Hall, Michael Wellborn, Rick Frickman, Gregg Bates, Eric Bernsten, Paul Kibel, Kevil Jefferson III, Heidi Perryman, Rob Hutsel, A.L. Riley, Chris Kroll, Lisa Owens, Roger Leventhal, Brian Trautwein Mitch Avalon, Setenay Bozkurt Frucht, Judy Neuhauser, Rich Walkling, Jane and Tom Kelly, Diane Jacobs, Mark Spencier and David Larson.

CUSP Staff: Joshua Bradt, Director Emanuel Peterson, Program Manager Jackie Van Der Hout, Education and Outreach Director

Sponsoring Organization Statement: N/A

Individuals responsible for performing project and overseeing project: Joshua Bradt, Emanuel Peterson, A.L. Riley, and Jackie Van Der Hout

Status of permit approvals necessary to perform project (if applicable): Permissions have been obtained from CDFW to harvest willows in Martinez, CA for soil bioengineering projects. The work of the SMPL program is done in coordination and compliance with the Water Board and CDFW regulations.

Project Budget: Requested Itemized Expenses Item Purpose Number Needed Cost Each Cost Sum (Link embedded when applicable) Chain Saw Willow harvest and 1 $199.99 $199.99 preparation Pole Saw Willow Harvest and 1 $399 $399 preparation Coir Fabric Bank stabilization 1 $85.50 $85.50 (soil bioengineering) Fabric Staples Bank stabilization 1 $39.98 $39.98 (soil bioengineering) Pop-Up Tent Volunteer and work 1 $89.19 $89.19 shelter Work Gloves Volunteer safety 2 $23.91 $47.82 Hand Pruners Willow harvest and 6 $9.98 $59.88 preparation Truck Rental for Transportation of 50 days $150 per day $7,500 the next year tools, willows and (estimate from (estimated 50 days staff Enterprise) of use) 5 Gallon Water Water for volunteers 1 $27.97 $27.97 Dispenser Total Cost: $8,449.33

Total Cost with Tax: $9,209.77

Total Cost with Earth Island Institute Overhead: $10,039

T This is a pilot project to put together place-based curriculum, outdoor experiences and year long projects that support classroom teachers to get students involved in exploring, monitoring and improving their nearby natural spaces. Visits from local education groups, including Outside The Box 925 and Friends of C reeks, will bring in supportive information and activities aligned with the national science standards and California’s environmental principles and concepts. These lessons will be supplemented with direct math and language applications to demonstrate student growth in these areas during school visits, field experiences and during the period the unit is taught. Each site will also decide on a school project they can carry out that demonstrates an application of the information they have learned. For instance, if the students have noticed more trash in one creek versus another, they can investigate the cause and implement a solution. If the number and types of macroinvertebrates differs from site to site, they may want to focus on other differences in the habitat and whether changes should be made. This is a crucial time to encourage students to realize that the content learned in their classroom is directly applicable to real world issues around them. In the long run, we want to ensure that all students, including those from Title 1 schools, are able to experience all aspects of creek restoration projects both at their schools and at nearby field sites. This type of exposure is more feasible when we support strong relationships between public school teachers in the Mt. Diablo School District and their local Creek Friends groups as well as other neighboring public and private nature education programs. This initial pilot project will focus on schools in the Mt Diablo School District in the Ygnacio Valley-Northgate High, Foothill Middle, W alnut Acres and Bancroft Elementary. These schools have already been able to work together as a vertically aligned collaborative team to inform their community about the importance of reducing waste by composting, reducing single use plastics and refusing unnecessary items, like straws, and using alternatives. Friends of Creeks also has a history of working with the middle and high school level students to teach them how to appreciate and restore Walnut Creek. Outside the Box 925, OTB925 an education company, is working to connect city creek groups with their associated schools in Mt Diablo Unified School District. OTB925 is a new company that provides teacher professional development and adult and child wetland education classes. They are also spearheading an effort at the county level to bring Environmental Literacy Programs into Mt Diablo Unified and Antioch Unified School Districts. These funds will help support a well established network of schools in Mt. Diablo Unified to connect with their local creek group, Friends of Creeks, and then serve as a model for other schools and creek groups throughout the district. We recommend school teachers first seek out locally available free programs such as those from Lindsay Wildlife Wetland Wildlife Program or East Bay Regional Parks class visits or field tours. Unfortunately, these programs are limited to lotteries or are offered on a first come, first served basis. OTB925 and FOC are willing to provide similar classes aligned to NGSS and California’s Environmental Principles and Concepts (EPCs) for a fee for supplies, travel and updated lessons provided, The Timeline f or a pilot project this Spring and Schoolwide grade level projects next Spring: Focus grades: 3rd grade at Walnut Acres and Bancroft Elementary Schools 6th grade a t Foothill Middle School 9th grade N orthgate High School ● Summer 2020-Teacher PD to evaluate and adjust pilot program to implement in 2020-21 . ● Jan/Feb 2020 and 2021-Friends of Creeks community planting and planning ● Jan start planning Ygnacio Valley schools’ trips and visits and look for busing and supply funds ● February-Middle and High School teacher PD in MDUSD: OTB925 demonstration on creek conservation using Next Generation Science Standards and Environmental Principles and Concepts ● February-All Teacher PD at Ed Tech Symposium in Valley View Middle: OTB925 extends the Middle school demonstration to elementary school teachers ● February and March-class visits and school trips to nearby creeks, the Bay and Lime Ridge Open Space, Grade level project ideas are started ● March-Elementary School teacher PD in MDUSD: OTB925 demonstration on creek conservation using Next Generation Science Standards and Environmental Principles and Concepts ● April and May-class visits and school trips to nearby creeks, the Bay and Lime Ridge and project ideas evaluated The Budget needed to carry out these tasks: OTB925 and FOC will coordinate with grade level lead teachers to schedule: ● Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline Park includes Field and Class visit OR Native Plants, Aquatic Insects and Water Monitoring, prices range from $250 to $390 ● Martinez Marsh Restoration or Chaparral Nature Trek, (a pplication available Jan 2, 2020) OR The Lindsay’s Wetland School Program (2-5th grade), both FREE ● Native Plants O R Mobile Visitor Center’s Animal Life Cycles or Watersheds, FREE to $150 (MVC’s visits are only one trip per school and chosen by lottery) ● Matter & Motion-Water (3 rd grade), FREE ● MDUSD Teacher Professional Development (February and March), $150 each session ● Follow-up Teacher PD at each school site for a second session, $150 Cost-T h ree 6th grade visits and trips, four 3rd grade trips per school (2 per school) and three 9th grade trips $250-$390 per class trip for 10 trips up to $2,500 $150 per class instruction (supplemental up to 4) $600 $200 per bus for 10 buses (60 students/bus) $2,000 . Yearly funding for Ygnacio Valley schools- $5,100 Curricular units to implement visits, trips and lessons: PLTW (depends on school site), EEI Social Science & Science (FREE), FOSS ($300) and Project WET ($100) Cost-C urriculum, PD sessions, $300 per site for supplies (4 sites) $1200 $150 per teacher training session (for instructors & supplies) (6 total, including 3 site PDs) $900 . $2,100 Total $7,200 The annual income- Friends of Creeks is $1,700 . Outside the Box 925 is projected to be $ 2,000. OTB925 Mission: Nature, energy and the sustainability of natural resources are the foci of our lessons which are taught through a STEM lens. In an era where science and technology are used regularly, we emphasize how these impact both our quality of life and the environment. We prioritize bringing STEM activities to underserved communities with education programs that are tailored and designed for teachers by teachers. Officers: Tascha Barnes, President Devin Jackson, Vice-President Karen Cevallos, Treasurer Additional Board Member: Mike Souza, CEO ValleyTronics

FOC Mission: O ur mission is to clean up and restore the creeks in the Walnut Creek area and reestablish habitat for wildlife within the creek corridors. We advocate for creek-friendly policies and projects that not only enhance the natural ecosystem functions of the riparian corridor but also create enjoyable amenities for the public. Officers: L esley Hunt, President James Hale, Vice President Daniel Schoenholz, Treasurer

Affiliated Organizations: MDUSD, CCRCD and The Restoration Trust The CCRCD and the Restoration Trust work together regularly with the City Creeks groups to facilitate creek monitoring and restoration year round. The new company OTB925 is working with MDUSD to bring students out to the creeks to help educate them about local environmental topics and to teach them how to get involved in monitoring and restoration.

Individuals responsible for performing project and individuals responsible for overseeing project: Friends of Creeks has been working to restore and preserve the creeks in Walnut Creek for over 25 years. They will ensure that the students are informed of how to appreciate and care for these precious habitats. We want to build on these relationships to bring consistent year round creek programming at each grade level. The Outside the Box 925 president has two years of experience providing outdoor experiences for students in Mt Diablo Unified. Last year, she was able to offer an outdoor experience to all elementary schools in the district in her role as education manager at the Gardens at Heather Farm. OTB925 has also offered a number of professional development courses for teachers throughout Contra Costa County as well as across the state of California. OTB925’s education consultant and president will oversee the project and ensure that teachers and students get the hands-on experience involved with guest speakers, field experiences and teacher support to implement the projects on their own. OTB925 will also prepare materials that help strengthen student math and language skills as part of the creek curriculum and evaluate student progress throughout the time the program is being taught. These results will be presented to the superintendent and board of MDUSD in hopes of implementing the same creek education program, field experiences and projects throughout the district. This project benefits our city’s creeks because students will be trained to decipher the difference between native and non-native plant and animal species. They will learn how to connect their daily behavior and habits with the health of the creeks. They will be directly engaged in monitoring the restoration projects in their neighboring creeks and on the bay. OTB925 will purchase equipment needed for monitoring and restoring creeks and/or loan them from affiliated groups. Both OTB925 and FOC will search out local education groups that may offer education sessions free of charge, but if unavailable, both groups can provide classes for a fee. This project will also require funding for busing to local field sites for students to compare the results with from their own local creek sites to sites further away. We will offer teachers and districts a variety of curricular resources to choose from in their professional development sessions and will need funds to support this and curricular resources for each site. Attached Coversheet U

Allan D. Fisch, MA

May 15, 2019

To whom it may concern;

It is my pleasure to recommend the proposed forest safety video entitled The Cannonball Express as a valuable learning tool for K-8 learning. As an elementary educator, there is a definite need for learning tools that can be filled by integrating audio/visual media such as this project. By incorporating science and ecology standards, this multi-disciplinary project also would function as a public service tool.

Given the recent history of calamitous and devastating wildfires in California, coupled with the phenomena of climate change, our students of today will ultimately be on the front lines of fire prevention in the coming future. Students who live in high risk areas would benefit by learning, in depth, about their local environment. This opens numerous possibilities for integrated learning experiences in the discussion and study of local flora and fauna and well as forest conservation.

Mr. Kennedy is well versed in the above subjects, having been a firefighter and a lifelong ecologist and naturalist.

I would be glad to use the finished project in my classroom.

Sincerely,

Allan D. Fisch

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