Water is our life’s blood. We all know this, and realize we must take whatever steps we can to conserve and use it wisely. For landowners, the protection and storage of water can be vital. In this two-part series you will learn about effective approaches to preserving and enhancing the creeks and ponds vital for local ecosystems. This will include the role of maintaining stream flow, woody debris, restoring riparian vegetation and invasive species control (with a focus on bullfrogs and invasive plants).
The first field day will be at the Hopland Research and Extension Center (HREC), the University of California's principal field research facility for agriculture and natural resources in the North Coast region. The following week we will meet at Sonoma State University’s 3,670-acre Galbreath Wildlands Preserve in the upper Navarro watershed in Yorkville. The properties are very different from each other and the approaches to restoration have been different. It is encouraged, but not necessary, to attend both sessions in order to to learn actionable skills.
Leaders
The program is co-designed by experts at both sites and led by Adina Merenlender, Professor of Cooperative Extension in Conservation Science at University of California, Berkeley. Adina works at HREC and is an internationally recognized conservation biologist known for land-use planning, watershed science, landscape connectivity, and naturalist and stewardship training.
Additional leaders for Part Two at Galbreath Preserve are:
- Linda MacElwee, Project Manager, Native Plants, Navarro River Watershed with the Mendocino County Resource Conservation District
- Mike Jones, UC Cooperative Extension Forest Advisor for Mendocino, Lake, and Sonoma Counties
Logistics
We will meet at 9:30am in front of the Yorkville Market (26701 Highway 128) which is closed at this time. There we will form carpools in AWD or 4-WD vehicles to drive up to the preserve. If you would like to carpool from the Ukiah area, meet at the Ukiah CVS to depart at 8:30am. There will not be an organizer there so you will have to ‘wing it’.
Participants must sign a waiver upon arrival. All minors must be accompanied by a legal guardian or a group leader who can legally take on that role (e.g., Girl Scout group). Pets and smoking are not permitted. No previous experience or knowledge is required.
We will be walking on an uneven dirt road for one mile round trip with an altitude gain of about 300 feet. Walking sticks might be helpful, but it is not particularly strenuous.
There is a restroom available at the Galbreath Preserve, but no drinking water.
COVID-19 Safety
All staff are vaccinated. Do not attend if you test positive for COVID-19 or if you have any symptoms that may be indicative of COVID-19, even if you are vaccinated. You are highly encouraged to get vaccinate and properly wear a mask when indoors (e.g., while driving in carpools). We will spend all of our time outdoors where social distancing is possible. All SSU updated guidelines can be found here.
What to Bring
Please bring a suitable mask to wear while carpooling. Wear a hat, sturdy shoes for hiking, long pants, long sleeves and sun and insect protection; Poison oak and ticks are present. Bring water and a snack. While we cannot buy lunch there, we can enjoy our lunches together on the picnic tables at the erstwhile Yorkville Market when we get back there.
How to Sign Up
For the May 22nd Galbreath event, See registration link below. Each person should register separately. This event is free of charge.
Click here to register for the May 15th HREC event. The cost is $10 per person.
About the Center
Sonoma State University’s Center for Environmental Inquiry empowers university students to work with community members on the environmental challenges of the North Bay. Our mission is to create an engaged and environmentally ready society, one where all people have the skills to find solutions to the challenges facing our earth. SSU Preserves are open to everyone engaged in education or research. Reservations are required.