CConservationonservation AAlmanaclmanac Trinity County Resource Conservation District Quarterly Newsletter Winter 20-21 Vol. XXVIIII No. 4 RRestoringestoring TTrinityrinity BBristleristle SSnailnail HHabitatabitat Since 2016, Trinity County RCD’s Revegeta on Program has been in agreement with the California Department of Transporta on to reestablish na ve vegeta on for the Collins Bar Curve Improvement Project near Burnt Ranch, CA. This project is within the known range of the rare and threatened Trinity bristle snail, Monadenia infumata setosa. This terrestrial snail is named for the ny bristles on its shell, which endearingly give it a fuzzy, dirty appearance as it gathers bits of moss and soil. It is endemic to Northwest Trinity County, meaning it is only found in this region, mostly inhabi ng riparian corridors with dense deciduous forests. The Trinity bristle snail eats soŌ vegetaƟ on and lichens Trinity bristle snail prefers to eat so vegeta on such as Photo credit: Len Mazur the stems of violets and lichens that grow on leaf li er and more, to create the dense deciduous forest habitat these organic detritus. This li le gastropod, the class of animals snails prefer. Species planted for this project include: big including snails and slugs, is nocturnal and goes dormant leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum), deer brush (Ceanothus in summer and winter. The Trinity bristle snail has a life integerrimus), mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus betuloides), span of 15-20 years, reaching maturity at 10 years of age! ¹ Douglas fi r (Pseudotsuga menziesii), Oregon ash (Fraxinus When the Collins Bar project area was disturbed due to road laƟ folia), choke cherry (Prunus virginiana), canyon live oak safety improvements and slide repair, the Trinity bristle snail (Quercus chrysolepis), black oak (Quercus kelloggii), and red- became the most cri cal species impacted. Restoring the fl owering currant (Ribes sanguineum). Now in its fourth year deciduous forest to this area will provide cri cal habitat for of implementa on, some trees such as the fast-growing big the Trinity bristle snail, that relies on the accumula on of leaf maple are over 6 feet tall! leaves on the forest fl oor. Our revegeta on staff have worked relessly to revegetate the completely denuded project area with na ve deciduous trees. In some areas of this project, trees are spaced 6 feet apart, as compared to the standard spacing of 10 feet or The Trinity bristle snail prefers cool, wet, shaded areas, specifi cally in the leaf liƩ er of dense deciduous forests A healthy big leaf maple growing on the project site Photo credit: Daniel Palmer Con nued on page 2... RRestoringestoring TTrinityrinity BBristleristle SSnailnail HHabitat,abitat, CCont.ont. The Trinity County RCD’s Revegeta on Program is also our Collins Bar project site. Exis ng rip-shredded madrone very proud to announce that we are now plan ng Pacifi c mulch piles were chosen as preferred plan ng sites. The madrone (Arbutus menziesii) at this site, which was part organic ma er content of mulch promotes the growth of of the dominant vegeta on present prior to disturbance. microorganisms benefi cial to plant growth and some research In the past, nursery stock of this species was not easy to shows that madrone may be highly dependent on these obtain due to the overall diffi culty with its propaga on and fungal rela onships for survival.3 transplan ng. However, Caltrans has generously funded As conserva onists, it is always a thrill and a privilege to work in-house propaga on eff orts for the Trinity County RCD, and towards ecological restora on, especially projects which for the fi rst me on record, we have been able to transplant help improve cri cal habitat for endemic and threatened gallon-sized nursery stock of Pacifi c madrone. species. Our technicians and program leaders are extremely In November of 2020, twelve Pacifi c madrone trees, grown mo vated to achieve success for the revegeta on goals of from seed and approximately two years old, were placed at this project. References 1. “California Gastropods: Trinity Bristle Snail.” Date With the Dodo, 4 Dec. 2012, datewithadodo.wordpress. com/2012/12/04/california-gastropods-trinity-bristle-snail/. 2. Roth, B and Pressley, P. 1986. Observa ons on the range and natural history of Monadenia setosa (Gastropota: Pulmonata) in the Klamath Mountains, California, and the taxonomy of some related species. The Veliger 29(2): 169- 182. 3. Trudell, Steven A. Cline, Erica T. Ellio , Marianne. Edmonds. Robert L. Possible Role of Mycorrhizas in Resistance to Decline in Arbutus menziesii. Washington University Hor culture Library. Chapter 16. 127-134. h p://depts. The revegetaƟ on crew planƟ ng naƟ ve trees at the Collins Bar project site washington.edu/hortlib/collec ons/madrone/ch16_tr.pdf AAcceptingccepting AApplicationspplications fforor NNaturalatural RResourcesesources SScholarshipcholarship This year, two scholarships for $750 each are available to donate to the scholarship fund, please visit the Trinity County local students who are interested in natural resources or RCD website at www.tcrcd.net and look under the “Projects” conserva on! The Trinity County RCD off ers scholarships tab for the Scholarship Fund. Applica ons are due May 2, to support high school seniors, graduates, and con nuing 2021! educa on students who are pursuing higher educa on in a h ps://www.tcrcd.net/index.php/2014-02-05-08-30-03/ natural resource fi eld. To apply for the 2021 scholarship or scholarship-fund IInn ThisThis IIssuessue Restoring Trinity Bristle Snail Habitat .................................1-2 Applica ons for Natural Resources Scholarship .....................2 Young Family Ranch Community Land Trust ...........................3 Trinity River Spotlight - Snowmelt in Streams ........................4 Hayfork Transi on Community Project ..................................5 Fuel Reduc on Along Trinity County Roadways .....................6 Suppor ng Trinity County’s Ac ve Transporta on .................7 Weaverville Community Forest Commi ee Mee ngs ............8 Trinity Children’s Forest .........................................................9 TRRP Informed, Structured Decision Making .................. 10-11 2 Winter 20-21 ~ www.tcrcd.net **' " " )+( &)+( & " " " "" $$ " $ $ $ $ $ " " $ $ $ $ $ $ $ & $ & " " " " $ $ " $ " $ $$ " " " " &" " " " "% " % " $" #! $ "" $$" " #! $ $ " $ $$ & " " " " $"!$$"! "! ! !" " " ! ! ! ! """ ! # # # "" %# " "" % % %(/-+)0,-,,--'0++. %% " " *& Winter 20-21 ~ www.tcrcd.net 3 TTrinityrinity RRiveriver SSpotlightpotlight - SSnowmeltnowmelt iinn SStreamstreams Long a er the snow melts from roadways and river banks, the mountain peaks of the Trinity Alps stay white with winter snowpack. Not only does this make for lovely mountain views, it is also an essen al factor in maintaining healthy streams and rivers throughout the dry season. In the hot, arid summers of Trinity County, snowmelt helps keep stream fl ows higher and colder than they would be otherwise. This is cri cal for many riverine species that need suffi cient water levels and cold temperatures to survive. Juvenile salmon are of par cular concern, as water temperature can play a major role in their growth, Snowmelt into streams help keep water temperatures down physiology, and behavior. Studies have shown the op mal temperature range for juvenile coho is between 50 Snowier winters mean more snowmelt in the spring and and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Coho start to experience slower summer, helping to create healthy stream condi ons for fi sh feeding and growth rates in temperatures between 60 and and other wildlife when they need it most! Snowpack can 69 degrees Fahrenheit. In temperatures above 69 degrees vary drama cally year to year and so far, 2021 is well below Fahrenheit, coho halt all growth, stop feeding, and may average for snowpack. Flow releases from the Trinity Dam can eventually die, especially with increased me spent in these help augment snowmelt in the Trinity River. Star ng in April detrimental condi ons. When larger river systems begin each year, water is released from the dam to emulate variable to warm, fi sh will o en seek out the cold water refugia of fl ows and historic snowmelt. These releases, executed smaller tributaries sourced from the mountains, that remain throughout the summer, refresh the river with cold water and colder longer. Streamfl ow is also an important factor for fl ush out fi ne sediments and algae that build up. However, salmon, as higher fl ows create more habitat for juveniles to snowpack and snowmelt are s ll vitally important in keeping hide from predators, as well as easier condi ons for migra ng water levels in streams, lakes and the ground adequate downriver and out to the ocean. throughout the dry season. Whether you love the snow or think it is a nuisance, we should all be hoping for more snowy mountains! Juvenile coho salmon seek out cooler water temperatures in tributaries of the Trinity River 4 Winter 20-21 ~ www.tcrcd.net HHayforkayfork TransitionTransition CommunityCommunity PProjectroject aandnd VVolunteerolunteer OOpportunitypportunity Hayfork Transi on has been working to repurpose a nine- This removal and preven on of future vandalism will allow acre property in Hayfork for the benefi t of the community. Hayfork Transi on to move forward on their agricultural, Historically, the property, located at 541 Riverview