CURRENT PROJECTS TABLE OF CONTENTS
2007
WHY?
The Tule River is one of the most important natural features of our community. Its rejuvenating water shapes the local geography, gives it life, provides respite for the summer heat; in a broad sense it is a barometer of the region's health.
Our valley's lifeline though, is being heavily impacted by users in specific areas. Heavy visitor use along the north and middle forks of the Tule River has caused problems with trash, graffiti, fire, and traffic/parking. Consequently - in addition to the obvious impact on water quality- the current situation has negatively impacted river users, local residents, law enforcement agencies, the U.S. Forest Service, CalTrans, and local electricity providers (SCE and PG&E). The resulting higher costs to visitors, decreased access, and more conflicts between the culturally diverse peoples who enjoy the Tule River need to be addressed in an inclusive, multicultural and creative way.
ACTION:
WildPlaces is further developing a comprehensive plan to help reclaim a clean and safe river for all. We will organize and stage three volunteer hike/bike river clean-up events at high-use areas during high-use times in the summer and late spring for the purpose of picking up trash and building community awareness. Volunteers will learn and demonstrate good stewardship habits and help recruit stewardship leaders from the stakeholders along the river.
As a supplement to the clean-ups, we will distribute a "Good Stewardship Practices" pamphlet in Spanish and English to stakeholders, and Power Point presentations to community groups on good stewardship. In addition to Porterville’s Comisión Honorífica Mexicana y Americana and Dolores Huerta Foundation in Bakersfield, we are partnering and working closely with local community groups and the river's other stakeholders. Our plan will create a diverse and representative “Tule River Team” to strategically address the issues of access, safety, traffic, trash/graffiti, parking and watershed education. We will also work to promote good stewardship on the entire river by creating a watershed-wide effort through coordination with lower and upper Tule River watershed groups.
Get Involved:
Come spend a rejuvenating day on the Tule River with us! Community outreach, garbage pick-up, graffiti removal, cooling off in the river...there is something for everyone. Please contact Ian at ian@wildplaces.net or 559.539.5263 for more information and clean-up dates.
Río Limpio: Limpieza y Educación en el río Tule
¿Porque?
El río Tule es uno de los rasgos naturales más importantes de nuestra comunidad. Desafortunadamente, su uso poco adecuado está afectando todos que se encuentran en el valle. Las devastadores resultados se ponen de manifiesto especialmente en las bifurcaciones norte y centro del río Tule, dónde causa problemas con basura, graffiti, fuego, y tráfico/estacionamiento. Como consecuencia, además de los efectos en la calidad del agua, tiene efectos medioambientales en el paraje que es el entorno natural de residentes, la policía, U.S. Forest Service, CalTrans, y proveedores locales de electricidad (SCE y PG&E). El resultando aumento en el costo al visitante, reducción del acceso al río, y más conflictos con las diversas personas que disfrutan del río tienen que solucionarse en una manera inclusivo, multicultural, y creativa.
Acción:
WildPlaces está desarrollando un plan comprensivo para reclamar un río Tule sano y limpio para todos. Para ello, se organizarán tres eventos con voluntarios durante el verano para limpiar el río y promover responsabilidad comunitaria. Los voluntarios aprenderán ser buenos custodios del río y ayudarán reclutar más custodios con el objetivo de recuperar el entorno natural y promover la conciencia ciudadana para cuidar ese recurso natural.
También, como suplemento distribuiremos un folleto de "Costumbres de Buenos Custodios del Río" en Español e Ingles y daremos presentaciones del mismo tema. Con la ayuda de nuestros compañeros en La Comisión Honorífica Mexicana y Americana de Porterville, la Fundación de Dolores Huerta en Bakersfield, e otros grupos comunitarios reclamaremos un río Tule limpio y sano.
¿Como Puedes Ayudar?
Comparte con nosotros un día de educación y limpieza en el río Tule. Para más información y fechas de limpieza contacta Ian en WildPlaces: 559.539.5263 o ian@wildplaces.net
River Ridge Ranch Habitat Recovery and Rangeland Restoration and Demonstration Project
This project is a joint venture between the private landowners of River Ridge Ranch and WildPlaces. It benefits 19 endangered, threatened, at-risk and otherwise classified species existing in the Sierra Nevada foothills and to provide a demonstration site where landowners and ranchers from throughout California can learn sound land management techniques that yield significant economic and environmental benefits. This adaptive management, three-year program will have immediate long-term local benefits while activating other landowners to restore native habitat on their own property.
Ridge Ranch."
River Ridge Ranch is a 722-acre, multi-use ranch in Springville, California. It is immediately adjacent to the Giant Sequoia National Monument--they share a border at the 3,000 feet elevation--and is in the midst of one of the largest blue oak ecosystems in the state. The ranch includes a 3/4 mile stretch of the North Fork of the Tule River, and boasts 7 cold springs. It has been a working cattle ranch for decades, and thus, the natural habitat has experienced degradation.
WildPlaces has several ongoing projects on the ranch. A road that ran along the river bank has been decommissioned and a new road was constructed closer to the foothills. In its place along the river bank, a riparian corridor has been made. This corridor has been planted with several species of native plants with help of students from Granite Hills High School and other volunteers.
Two oak woodland corridors have been made on higher ground. They stretch from the foothills to the river and provide a safe traveling space for native animals to journey down to the river. These corridors have been planted with oak trees and other native species of shrubs, vines, and perennials. These corridors are enclosed in closely-monitored fences to keep the livestock from damaging young plants.
WildPlaces began offering monthly tours to the public in April, 2005. These tours last for approximately an hour and people of all ages are welcome. They are usually held on the first Saturdays of each month. Please check the schedule of events if you would like to join us. Refreshments and a time for questions and discussion are always a part of these events. Private landowners, land use managers, and ranchers are especially encouraged to participate with WildPlaces in developing further strategies for ensuring land productivity and preservation of the wild and rural landscapes for the next century and beyond.River Ridge Ranch and WildPlaces believe that if real progress is to be made in species and ecosystem recovery state-wide, and especially in the Sierra foothills, a coalition of private landowners, ranchers, environmentalists, and outdoors enthusiasts must be engaged. For years these parties have been viewed as combatants in the battle over land-use, but theyshare a common love of the land and the common threat of development. With time and resources, these seemingly divergent interest groups can be educated that what is good for vulnerable species will also benefit their personal interests, and be economically beneficial to landowners and the ranching community.
Sierra Hieghts youth begin the process of spring restoration on River Ridge by removing competing, invasive annual grass from one of five springs on the ranch land."
Sierra Hieghts youth work hard... and eat well at River Ridge.
2006
Black Oak Recovery Project - 2005-2006
The Sequoia National Forest has experienced three major wildfires since 1990: the Stormy Fire of 1990, the Manter Fire of 2000, and the McNally fire of 2003. (see Manter & McNally Fire Rehabilitation Projects 2001-2002) These fires resulted in the loss of native oaks, shrubs, grass, and wildflower populations. Oaks occur in the central and central-eastern region of the Manter Fire burn area. Black Oaks(Quercus kelloggiia) are used as nesting sites and/or food sources for many species of insects, mammals and birds, including tree squirrels, fishers, martens, owls, deer, and woodpeckers.
This project focuses on the Black Oak component that has traditionally been left to naturally recover from catastrophic fire events --a process that, over time, leads to a diminished habitat.
Action: In partnership with the US Forest Service, WildPlaces was awarded National Forest Foundation funds in 2002 to aid in the partial rehabilitation of the Manter Burn Area. (see Manter Fire: Black Oak Restoraion -2002) Soil and stream integrity and the damaged Black Oak habitat were of paramount concern. Through 2002-2003 WildPlaces volunteers were recruited from surrounding areas to work with the Forest Service to prune and train recovering Black Oaks to spur structural integrity and growth (see Manter Fire: Stream Inventory and Rehabilitation in Manter Fire and Golden Trout Wilderness-2002-2003)
In 2005, WildPlaces, in partnership with the Tule River/Hot Springs Ranger District of the USFS has again been awarded NFF funds for a Black Oak Recovery Project. Over 200 acres will be treated and then studied against a 20-acre control site. The base of operations for this project will be a refurbished and newly operational nursery at the forest service workstation in Springville, CA. WildPlaces will assist in the management of the nursery to propagate species native to the Sierra Nevada and surrounding foothills.
The Nursery Site at the USFS Work Center in Springville was refurbished by the Forest Service and WildPlaces staff and volunteers for propagating and caring for seedlings prior to their use in restoration and education project
This project will take place in the fall of 2005, with some work being completed in the spring of 2006. WildPlaces will provide volunteer labor, equipment and material. The Forest Service will provide guidance, training, and will be responsible for evaluation of the work sites. The first event will be a Gathering of educators, biologists, and business people. Project plans will be presented to the public for input, along with a schedule of restoration dates. Volunteer Training Workshops will take place at the nursery to train leaders for upcoming events. Recruits will learn about basic restoration ecology, botany, as well as participating in tree planting and/or seed propagation. Site Visits will be attended by WildPlaces staff and Forest Service staff to go over final equipment, material and volunteer requirements. Restoration Events will take place during six weekends this fall.
Oak Acorn Collection and Propagation
This three to five year project is a collaboration between WildPlaces and the Tule River/Hot Springs Ranger District of the Sequoia National Forest Service and will be completed in three stages: collection, propagation, and planting. As well, education and advocacy for collaborative efforts in habitat preservation and restoration will be an important component.
The habitat of this region bordering the Giant Sequoia National Monument is in need of significant efforts to preserve both the natural environment and the rural lifestyle it represents. Land degradation from over a hundred years of ranching has impacted the oak trees' ability to regenerate. Recent land use pressures from the economic opportunities of development, particularly for housing, have further threatened this environment, one of the last great stretches of contiguous oak woodland habitat remaining in California.
Understanding the need and expressing the belief that restoration is possible and necessary, private property owners and residents of the Springville area helped collect acorns from Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii) and Valley Oak (Quercus lobata) during the summer and fall of 2004. Most of these acorns were collected from private property sites, from "backyard" and rangeland oaks.
Over 25 volunteers of all ages gathered at the U.S. Forest Service plant nursery in Springville on two Saturdays, November 6 & 13 to begin the Propagation part of the project. Working with with WildPlaces and Forest Service staff , the enthusasitic group, several of whom were new to WildPlaces, planted over 400 blue oak and valley oak acorns in under six hours! In addtion, education to learning how to propagate oak acorns, the volunteers also were able to ask questions and discuss issues relating to oak woodland habitat restoration, oak trees in private landscapes, and wildlife likely to co-exist with oak trees. Over 80% of these acorns germinated and are now healthy seedlings.
Oak trees seedlings will be nurtured at the nursery site for one-three years until they are ready for planting. The seedlings will then be used for education and public and private restoration projects throughout the Sierra Nevada foothills.
If real progress is to be made in species and ecosystem recovery statewide, and especially in the Sierra foothills, a coalition of private landowners, ranchers, environmentalists, and outdoors enthusiasts must be engaged. For years these parties have been viewed as combatants in the battle over land-use, but they share a common love of the land and the common threat of development. With time and resources, these seemingly divergent interest groups can be educated that what is good for vulnerable species will also benefit their personal interests, and be economically beneficial to landowners and the ranching community.
With the increasing demand for housing in the Central Valley, this is a crucial time for the citizens living in the city of Porterville and in Tulare County to think seriously and rapidly about what kind of landscape they want 5, 50, 100 years from now. The County of Tulare is one of several throughout the State currently updating their General Plan, which provides leaders a blueprint of land uses for the next 20 years. The County is scheduled to complete their General Plan Update by the end of 2005. LINK: COUNTY GENERAL PLAN UPDATE. (http://www.westplanning.com/docs/tulare/). This is a crucial time, then, to influence what the land will look like for decades to come.
We encourage interested citizens to contact us and to be part of this process.
Following is recent news and next steps for the General Plan updates for Tulare County, and the cities of Porterville and Tulare, and how they might impact Oak Woodland Habitat in the county.
Tulare County Supervisors Vote on Yokohl Ranch Request Feb. 7
The public turned out in large number and many stayed until the grueling end of a marathon Board of Supervisors meeting to raise concerns and questions about allowing the J.G. Boswell/Eastlake Companies' request to file a General Plan Amendment to go forward before the 2030 GP Update is completed. Although this was an early step in continuing to plan this project, and not an approval of the project itself, WildPlaces and other groups and concerned citizens made a strong statement of passion and commitment about the vision for future land use in this county. Members of the public speaking in opposition to this approval raised important concerns for the integrity of the Update, and raised many questions that have yet to be answered.
The Yokhol Ranch Project is planned to be a new city and resort area built on the 36,000 acre ranch property owned by J.G. Boswell. The Yokohl Valley, currently zoned agricultural, is a vast area of rangeland surrounded by blue oak woodland habitat and considered by many to be a scenic and open space resource not suitable for accomodating a city larger than Visalia.
Obviously, we are disappointed that the Board voted to approve the request to file the amendment. More disturbing was that the Supervisors did not answer the important question of "Why the Rush?" on this, when everyone agrees the Update will be completed before the project applicants have completed their amendment request. The application is expected to be submitted in May 2007 at the earliest. Included in this application will be several steps that will require Public Hearings and public review, including the request to add a Planned Community Zone to the county's list of possible land uses. This zone would be county-wide and would apply to the Valley floor as well as the foothills.
COUNTY GENERAL PLAN ROLLS(CRAWLS)ALONG
According to the county's current timeline, the public review of the draft GP and EIR will begin at the end of June 2006 and will be a 60-day review period. Visit www.westplanning.com for more details.
The Board of Supervisors directed consultants and staff to develop a "New Town" criteria that could be included as part of the Update. These criteria will be part of the "Policy Report" developed around June, 2006. The Board also directed that a process be developed to allow all communities, regardless of size, a method to take advantage of opportunities that may appear in the next 20 years. This has led the consultants, working with county staff and the Technical Advisory Committee, to develop community profiles and suggested new growth boundaries, or UDB's (Urban Development Boundary). These new boundaries will be part of the draft EIR.
PORTERVILLE GENERAL PLAN 2030 UPDATE
Porterville is updating their city General Plan. The first public workshop, focusing on "Visioning," was held in October, 2005 with good turnout reported. Just over half of those attending cited preservation of native plant species, including oaks, as important for the future of Porterville. The next step will be an Alternatives Report, scheduled for winter 2006. The next Public Workshop has not been scheduled. The City plans on completing the General Plan Update in 2006.
Numbers count in this type of exercise, so if you live in Porterville and value the last remaining Valley Oaks (and other heritage native trees), plan on getting (or staying) involved! Find out more and how you can participate at: www.ci.porterville.ca.us.
TULARE CITY GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
The city of Tulare is also updating their General Plan this year.Visit westplanning.com for details and the next steps.
WildPlaces will be working with other groups and individuals to provide leadership to residents and concerned citizens and a voice for the trees that can't speak for themselves.
Past events include:
In Spring, 2005, WildPlaces, the Tule River Parkway Association, and private citizens began the process of urging local elected leaders to save the last remaining Valley Oaks, many of them more than 100 years old. WildPlaces participated in a Tree Measuring Day on May 10 to measure a massive Valley Oak slated for removal by the developer of a housing project in west Porterville, an area that has been experiencing development pressure for the last several years as more agricultural lands are developed into housing. Arborist Brian Kempf (of the Urban Tree Foundation) was hired by the developer to examine the tree and declared it healthy and not likely to pose a public hazard. With public pressure and cooperation from the Porterville City Public Works Director and the owner of property adjacent to the project, the developer ultimately decided to redesign the project and save this centuries-old tree.
Within days, the Porterville City Council rejected a proposal to study the development of an Oak Tree Ordinance in the city.
A few months later, in July 2005, the developers of the new RiverWalk project in Porterville, which will include a new WalMart Super Center, made a different choice and destroyed two heritage-sized oak trees on the property.
The goal is to develop a heritage tree or canopy ordinance that suits this region: a guide for leaders, developers, and planners in future housing and other urban projects -one that reflects the citizens' deep connections to these massive oaks, which truly do define this region's landscapes, while at the same time providing a balanced and consistent guide to planners and land managers.
Agendas for Porterville City Council and Tulare County Board of Supervisors meetings, can be found on the city's and the county's websites. LINK: Porterville City Council (http://www.ci.porterville.ca.us/govt/boards/council/?boardid=10) TulareCounty Board of Supervisors (http://www.co.tulare.ca.us)
Other actions individuals might take are writing to their council members, their County Supervisor (Jim Maples in District 5, which includes Springville and Porterville), and writing to the editors of our local newspapers.
While WildPlaces and other organizations can assist in information-gathering, leadership, and organization, individual citizen action--ordinary folks getting together with their neighbors and friends to state their wishes as a group-- is still the most effective voice in our communities.
Giant Sequoioa Seed Collection and Propagation Project
This two-year project includes Giant Sequoia seed collection, propagation, and planting of young trees back into the forest for restoration of healthy habitats, education of Giant Sequoia regeneration and of forest management, and advocacy for increased public voice and action in the nation's lands management process.
WildPlaces volunteers collected Giant Sequoia seeds in June 2003 from Long Meadow in the Trail of One Hundred Giants in the Giant Sequoia National Monument.
Rare and elusive Kern River Daisy is found at Jackass Peak. Seeds will be gathered from these flowers in October.(see link)
Photo:DM McMillan
Education: During the seed collection field days, volunteers also met and participated in discussions on the tricky issues of forest management. The successful completion of this event empowered participants to return to their communities with increased awareness, knowledge, information, and positive commitment towards the restoration of healthy forests and the role of individual citizens in the process of public lands management.
Seed Propagation took place with great success at Cal Native Native Plant Nursery in Porterville, CA. By the summer of 2004, we had over 2000 seedlings.
The seedlings were ready for planting back into the Giant Sequoia National Monument in March 2005. Residents and property owners in high elevation communities such as Camp Nelson, Ponderosa, Sequoia Crest, and Pierpoint were invited to receive free seedlings for their privately-owned property, along with planting and care instruction and assistance. Additional seedlings will be available for restoration efforts and small-scale planting in other forest communities of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In August 2005, WildPlaces helped celebrate the reopening of the Trail of 100 Giants by taking some of the seedlings to the event and returning the trees to the place they came from.
Planting a Giant Sequoia tree is truly a statement of hope, belief in the future of our forests, and in our ability to find ways to work together to develop strategies that protect and sustain this irreplaceable resource. Planting a Giant Sequoia makes a statement of the earth's regeneration that will be enjoyed more than a thousand years into the future, and WildPlaces is honored to be able to share in making this statement.
The North and South Forks of the Kern River currently will benefit from additional organizational devotion to the watershed for many reasons-- economic, cultural, recreational and biological. The South Fork Kern River is a central feature in the seasonal life of the rural and Native communities of the Kern River Valley. Our Native Youth River Days addressed primarily the cultural and riparian aspects of the watershed.
This three-day event took place on July 22-24, 2005 and focused on traditional and Native American aspects of the river community and provided an opportunity for local residents, Native American youth and groups, and other organizations to participate in restoration, education and protection of their local, historic and cherished rivers, lakes, streams, and naturally-occurring springs in the Kern River watershed.
ACTION: Three days of camping at Kennedy Meadows Campground on the South Fork of the Kern River featured an educational and team building camp-out for youth ages 8-13. Adults accompanied by children were also welcome to participate, although the focus remained on the children. Members from the Daughters of Tradition, a Native American youth group in the Kern Valley, made up the majority of the participants. The members of this youth group included tribal groups from Nahua, Cherokee, Anishinabe, Owens Valley Paiute, Tubatulabal and Kawaiisu. Additional boys and girls from a variety of cultural backgrounds also participated. Local educators and land use professionals led the youth in activities and educational sessions about watershed observations and testing, plant medicine, native arts, team-building, and Native American language arts and oral traditions. The girls and boys also learned about different tribes, how to offer blessing and how to apply spiritual values to their own lives, while also engaging in fun camping activities such as story-telling, songs, swimming and games. This event, including meals, was a free event to all youth and parents participating.
A public day was held on Sunday, July 24, also at Kennedy Meadows. The youth, in coordination with adult leaders, developed and led the public in a noxious weed (Perennial Pepperweed) removal/restoration project along the South Fork Kern River and incorporated many of the leadership lessons they had been taught the previous days. The free event ended with a community lunch and closing circle.
This event was funded through a Creek Stewardship Grant from the Sierra Nevada Alliance and was sponsored by WildPlaces, Daughters of Tradition, and the Monache Intertribal Association.
Granite Hills High School Earth Science Field Program
Opportunities are needed to develop environmental leaders among the youth of the Central Valley, to educate students in modern land practices that help heal and preserve the rural and wild landscape, and to foster confidence and knowledge that, regardless of age and economic and cultural background, youth can affect positive change in their community and their planet.
The Granite Hills High School Earth Science Program participated in field sessions with WildPlaces as part of their classroom curriculum. Most of the work took place at River Ridge Ranch, a 722-acre working cattle ranch above Springville, CA.
On November 18 & 19 2004, over 50 high school students participated in sessions on sedimentation/erosion control, maps/GPS, and cultural/geologic identification. With guidance from WildPlaces staff and local educators, the students planted over 40 trees along the North Fork of the Tule River as part of a riparian restoration project and helped build wildlife corridors with eight native plant species. As their last activity the students walked to the Native American village site where they debriefed for the day and collected rock samples on the walk back to the bus.
On May 8 & 9, 2005, the GHHS Earth Science Program met with WildPlaces in another field session. This time the students learned methods of field assessment and monitoring, and studied the effects their previous restoration efforts had on sedimentation, water quality and ranch activities. Additional field work was done at a Native American village archeological site.
WildPlaces, as part of our mission, is honored to have the opportunity to work with educators to design and implement safe, focused projects that compliment classroom academic work. This project was completed in partnership with the Sierra Grant Program, a project of Bank of The Sierra.
Manter & McNally Fire Rehabilitation Projects 2001 - 2002
This is near the start of the Manter Fire of 1999 in the Domeland Wilderness. Note the complete destruction of all trees due to the hot, crown fires that resulted due to drought years and fire supression.
The Manter Fire burned 73,724 acres in California during the summer of 2000 and the McNally Fire burned over 130,000 acres in 2002, and together now stand as the largest fires in the history of the Sequoia National Forest. The fire ranged from 4,000 to 8,000 feet elevation negatively impacting riparian habitat, coniferous montane habitat and oak woodlands. Old growth forest structure and late successional forests, including native shrubs, grass and wildflower populations were severely impacted in some areas. Because fire is a natural part of the ecology in the Sierra Nevada, natural rehabilitation does occur in many areas, although recovery has been deterred in other areas due to the loss of dormant seeds and seed bearing plants, erosion, temperature and other factors. What was once an exquisite example of a functional High Sierra ecosystem, complete with a full range of plant and animal diversity, is now an ecosystem that is in recovery. Where before there were wooded canyons, verdant meadows and clear blue streams there are charred remains and exposed slopes.
The Burn Areas remain in a fragile state. Although the benefits of fire in the region can be seen, some areas of high intensity burn have suffered. Sensitive plant populations have been reduced and may be at great risk. Hillsides above some streams experienced high intensity burns. Those hillsides are at risk of erosion; impacted soil composition and temperature change because there is little groundcover and reduced vegetation. In heavy rain and/or runoff, scorched hillsides erode and choke the streams with sediment, thereby furthering the deterioration of the ecosystem. Wildlife habitat fragmentation is of great concern. The B.A.E.R. (Burn Area Emergency Rehabilitation) team has worked hard to introduce emergency measures to reduce the fire's impact, but it is not within their scope to restore a burn area over the long term.
In 2001 and 2002, WildPlaces' partnered with the Sequoia National Forest, CA Dept. Of Fish, Game and Audubon's Friends of the Kern River Preserve and various community organizations to implement modest but long-range restoration measures in the Manter and McNally Burn Areas. Priority projects were selected by Forest Service biologists for projects that Forest Service funds were either too limited or non-existent to undertake. Our projects included the propagation of endemic plant species, stabilization of stream banks, native plant and cultural site restoration and the restoration of Black oak and Giant Sequoia habitat.
WildPlaces' unique expertise braids high quality habitat restoration projects with community involvement and environmental education. WildPlaces' staff recruited volunteers from surrounding communities to implement the Manter & McNally Fire Rehabilitation Projects at a series of restoration events scheduled throughout 2001 and 2002. WildPlaces' volunteers included trained leaders who have many year's experience working in burn areas and riparian habitat, and have experiential knowledge of re-vegetation and stream bank stabilization practices. Continuing monitoring and evaluation will allow us to determine the projects' success while providing hands-on, environmental education opportunities to local students and other community members.
Manter Fire: Stream Inventory and Rehabilitation in Manter Fire and Golden Trout Wilderness 2002 - 2003
One of several streams in the Manter Fire area that will be inventoried, prioritized and stabilized in summer 2002.
Photo:DM McMillan
Streams adversely affected by erosion caused by the Manter Fire and cattle grazing were inventoried and, where necessary, stabilized to maintain stream channel characteristics, minimize sedimentation, oxygen depletion and habitat loss. The Manter Fire B.A.E.R. (http://www.r5.fs.fed.us/sequoia/baer) emergency response activities began this work. WildPlaces provided additional surveys and the capacity for long-term restoration work.
A. Stream Inventory
B. Stream Bank Stabilization
(Pictured Above and Below) Sedimentation of streams and the erosion of soil from stream banks on the Mahogany Road site are of high concern.
Manter Fire: Black Oak Restoration 2002
California Black Oak (Quercus kelloggi) occurs in the central and central-eastern portions of the Manter Fire restoration focus area. Black oak is noted for its attractive red buds and young leaves in the spring and the red and orange foliage in the fall.
One leader from multiple sprouts of a Black Oak will be selected as the lead sprout
Tree squirrels and owls nest in rotted cavities, woodpeckers and deer relish its acorns and the summer foliage is host to numerous birds for foraging and nesting. The Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment includes direction to promote hardwoods after stand replacing events such as the Manter Fire (see Manter & McNally Fire Rehabilitation Projects-2001-2002) and to identify hardwood restoration and enhancement projects. Nearly all of the black oak was burned during the Manter fire, killing the crown of the trees. This species is well adapted to fire and will re-sprout at the base even in some very hot burns. Many new leader sprouts result and compete for light, nutrients and space on the forest floor as the forest recovers. In some instances, restoration is desirable through the selection of one leader (sprout) from a sprouting stump. This encourages strong and tall black oak woodland recovery in the burn areas.
Black Oak sprouts after burn.
WildPlaces staff and volunteers pruned existing sprouts to one dominant leader. The work took place over 2 days and encompassed 10 acres, half of which functions as the control group. Over time, we will monitor black oak habitat recovery and compare it to areas where oaks are allowed to grow without pruning. Proper comparison studies will help determine best management practices for California Black Oak recovery projects in the future. WildPlaces staff as well as the U.S. Forest Service will provide training and supervision.
(see Black Oak Recovery-2005-2006)
Manter Fire: Habitat Monitoring at Mahogany Road Closure 2002
Closing a portion of Mahogany Road (FS 21S32) to vehicular traffic may improve wildlife habitat.
The Manter Fire severely impacted wildlife. Deer and other wildlife cover have been destroyed, increasing their vulnerability to hunters, fragmentation of habitat and introduction of invasive species. Over the next years, it is of the utmost importance to determine which management practices should be implemented to aid wildlife populations during the recovery period.
The Sequoia National Forest has determined that a study in road management practices should be commenced. The Forest Service will be installing a gate on Mahogany Road (21S32) to reduce habitat fragmentation by establishing protection and isolation for wildlife through motorized vehicle exclusion. Transects, photo points and vegetation measurements will be utilized to monitor habitat and wildlife activity both before and after restriction of motor vehicle use. WildPlaces volunteers and staff will receive Specialized Skill Training from the U.S. Forest Service and CA Dept. of Fish and Game to implement, complete and report changes in wildlife use. Data will be recorded multiple times – before and after installation of the gate.
Project Partners Include: U.S. Forest Service
Riparian Restoration and Illegal OHV Trail Closure at Audubon’s Kelso Creek Preserve
The 1100 acre Kelso Creek Preserve is a critical riparian corridor for nesting and migratory birds as well as a host of mammals, plants, reptiles and insects. It functions as an important corridor between the Piute Mountains and the Scodie Mountains of the Sequoia National Forest, including on its southern boundary the Bright Star Wilderness. Corridors function to connect large intact systems so that plant and animal migration may occur unimpeded by agricultural expanses, cattle ranching and development. The Kelso Creek Corridor is represented by Mojave Desert (Mojave and Sonoran Desert), Great Basin, Chaparral, Pinyon Woodland, Cottonwood Riparian Woodland and Grassland ecosystems—all expressed within the same region. This is an extremely rare and unique occurrence of the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains.
A region with so many ecosystem boundaries is also a region of biological instability and is particularly harmed by fragmentation. Isolated occurrences of species or groups of species are commonplace here, with many occurrences restricted to a single known colony. Efforts will be made to protect, enhance and expand the range of such species.
Severe erosion, compaction of soil, fragmentation of core habitat and destruction of plant species are a few of the things that happen to pristine desert when OHV use is not restricted from sensitive habitat.
Illegal Off highway vehicle (OHV) traffic in the area has contributed greatly to the fragmentation of the habitat. The destruction from OHV’s inhibits migratory behavior of both plant and animal species, introducing non-native and sometimes invasive plant species and contributing to noise and air pollution of the otherwise functioning systems of Kelso Creek and the surrounding Sequoia National Forest and Bright Star Wilderness. WildPlaces believes that by fencing off the preserve, ripping illegal OHV trails and re-establishing native plant species, the biological integrity and diversity of the area will be improved.
Volunteer Scott Hitchins helps construct a fence to deter illegal OHV use and cattle grazing
Another threat to the balance at Kelso Creek Preserve is further erosion of Kelso Creek. Thus restoring the integrity of Kelso Creek is a priority. Via erosion control devices made from organic materials we will help eliminate the destructive effects of erosion. WildPlaces volunteers will collect organic debris from within the riparian corridor and strategically place it into the streambed, inhibiting the corrosive flow and retaining sediment that would otherwise runoff the property downstream.
Project Partners Include: Audubon Society, Bureau of Land Management, Sequoia National Forest
Riparian Corridor Rehabilitation on South Fork of the Kern River
TreePeople Volunteers attend the Bartolas Riparian Restoration Weekend- May 4 &5, 2002
Cottonwood and willow trees and their associated understory plants are critical elements of the shrinking cottonwood riparian systems across North America. The South Fork Kern River watershed represents a portion of the largest continuous riparian habitat and bird migratory flyway in North America. Both private and public lands are precariously pieced together to form this delicate balance.
Leadership provided by Kern River Preserve Manager Reed Tollefson at Bartolas Riparian Restoration Weekend
Continued restoration of native riparian plant species has seen the return and slow proliferation of Endangered Species, including the Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus occidentalis), Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonas traillii extimus) and mountain lion (Puma concolor). WildPlaces planted native riparian species along the South Fork of the Kern River, helping to strengthen this important corridor between the Domeland Wilderness and Kern Plateau to the north and the Bright Star Wilderness of the Scodie and Piute Mountains to the south.
Students from the UC Riverside's Outdoor Recreation Program enjoy rafting on the wild and scenic Kern River after working a full day at the Bartolas Riparian Restoration Site planting and fertilizing native plants
Urban Stream Restoration
Streams and rivers that encounter our cities and communities suffer from our neglect and ignorance. Issues of flood control, development and pollution often override a wiser strategy of incorporating the stream into the fabric of the developing community. Recently, however, innovative, nature-based technologies have begun to safeguard communities from flood damage and mitigate erosion while restoring native habitat and providing recreational and educational opportunities. These are of growing importance and the focus of many municipalities and local communities throughout the Sierra Nevada and the United States. Remnant and damaged streams are often severely impacted and neglected components of growing urban communities whose value as been marginalized to drainage systems and dumping grounds.
Antelope Run in Tehachapi, CA is a prime example of how a degraded seasonal stream can be recovered through stream habitat restoration and by community and municipal participation. The stream winds for a two-mile stretch along residential, commercial and light industrial parcels and crosses three streets in Tehachapi. The problem is that Antelope Run suffers from severe erosion and has a high potential for flood. Compounding this is the rapid growth and minimal restrictions for developers.
WildPlaces and its partner organizations introduced a series of erosion mitigation and flood control strategies to better place structures, control invasive plant species, and initiate volunteer-based revegetation projects and long-term maintenance. This has helped to restore and revitalize a two-mile stretch of Antelope Run, while addressing flood and erosion concerns and recreational uses.
Partners include Tehachapi Resource Conservation District (TRCD), Tehachapi-Cummings County Water District (TCCWD), City of Tehachapi, Department of Water Resources (DWR) and Montgomery Watson Harza Engineers.
