L ANDSCAPES Peninsula Open Space Trust Fall 2019
LANDSCAPE-SCALE CONSERVATION With our global environmental crisis constantly in the news, it’s easy to feel defeated and helpless to take measures that will make a difference. But in reality, there is plenty we can do, and recent studies emphasize the importance of our efforts to create a resilient network of protected lands in our region. We need protected lands and ecosystems that can tolerate change, purify our water, sequester carbon, provide habitat for crop pollinators and more. Creating links between these areas preserves genetic diversity and secures migration routes—all of which ensure a healthy future for the variety of wildlife that live in the Bay Area. In this issue of Landscapes, we highlight the big-picture impacts of POST’s work through stories of creative collaboration, critical land acquisitions and efforts to enhance connectivity throughout our region.
Working across county lines, with partners ranging from farmers to timber companies, we think of the properties we protect in a larger context. How does a creek enhance the health of a whole watershed, sustaining wildlife and farmers? How can timber harvests benefit our redwood trees and forest habitat while creating new opportunities for land protection? How can we work toward safeguarding the biodiversity of our region by focusing on safe wildlife passage across a single (but critical) eight-mile stretch of road? To bring about substantial change, we must look at healing and connecting our landscapes. Thanks to over 40 years of accumulated knowledge, our network of capable partners and the generous support of people like you, POST’s conservation projects deliver lasting, landscape-scale impact. Warmly,
Peter Cowan, PhD Director of Conservation Science cover
©Andrea Laue 2019 / facing page: left ©Teddy Miller 2018 / middle ©Teddy Miller 2019 / right ©Matt Dolkas 2019
IN THIS ISSUE:
All Along the Watershed Butano Creek, A Vital Lifeline
An Unexpected Partnership Logging to Save Our Redwood Forests
Networking Land and Life, Interconnected
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A L L A L O N G T H E WAT E R S H E D
BUTANO CREEK, A VITAL LIFELINE Flowing westward from the ridgeline down to Pescadero, Butano Creek descends for 15 miles past towering redwoods and rich, productive farmland. It’s a landscape that still looks and feels much as it has for decades, with forested knolls and vast expanses of open rangeland.
2 ©Teddy Miller 2018 / right ©Teddy Miller 2016
Butano Creek and the land that surrounds it have supported life for millennia. Threatened steelhead trout still return from the Pacific in the winter months to reproduce in the safety of the creek’s fresh water, sometimes in the same pool where they were born. And almost all of the nearby farms depend on the creek’s water, making the entire watershed a vital lifeline for many residents—both wild and human. We have long worked with our partners to safeguard this area. From the creek’s headwaters in Butano State Park to its confluence with Pescadero Creek, we have preserved land to ensure the continued health of this thriving region. Caring for this watershed entails so much more than protecting land. In 2016, we partnered with the San Mateo County Resource Conservation District to reconnect Butano Creek with 100 acres of its historic floodplain
within the 903 acres of POST-protected Butano Farms. Now, this mile-long section of creek once again looks and functions the way nature intended.
W H AT ’ S A W AT E R S H E D ?
An area of land that directs water into a common creek, river or basin.
Reservoirs and wells have also been installed on nearby POST-protected properties such as Cloverdale Coastal Ranches, a 6,586-acre property we protected in 1997. Adding agricultural infrastructure like this gives farm operators an alternative to drawing water directly from Butano Creek in the dry summer months when wildlife need it most. It’s remarkable to live where we do—with thriving, dense communities so close to healthy watersheds like that of Butano Creek and productive agricultural lands. Because of your generous support and POST’s work, we all continue to benefit from the health of our protected watersheds.
DID YOU KNOW?
There are 51 major watersheds on the Peninsula—30 flow east to the Bay and 21 west to the Pacific.
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A CREEKSIDE FARM IS PROTECTED Along 1,800 feet of Butano Creek is Double Dog Ranch, owned by Gene and Donna Richeson. They recently donated a 102-acre agricultural conservation easement on a portion of their property to POST. It features 61 acres of fertile, prime soil and has a microclimate well-suited for year-round agricultural production. The Richesons’ donation requires continued agricultural use of the land and restricts development in perpetuity. It also includes a buffer along the creek that protects this ecologically sensitive area, ensuring that agriculture and wildlife can coexist. The Richesons’ generous gift also removes financial barriers for farmers
by reducing the property value and making it more affordable for them to purchase in the future. Currently, Fifth Crow Farm is operating on the property. They are one of the largest organic producers on the coast and have been supplying communities from Campbell to San Francisco with delicious produce for over 10 years. With this agricultural conservation easement in place, they now have the security of knowing this land will always need farmers like them who benefit the local community and our environment. Learn more about the Richesons’ generous contribution at openspacetrust.org/double-dog.
Fifth Crow Farm operators and Double Dog Ranch owners pose in front of the farm. Pictured from left to right: Mike Irving and Naima Vars, Maggi Aaronson, Donna Richeson, Gene Richeson, Teresa Kurtak and Eleanor Irving, and Mike and Charlie Irving.
photo left:
4 ©Matt Dolkas 2019 / bottom ©Teddy Miller 2019
A N U N E X P E C T E D PA R T N E R S H I P
LOGGING TO SAVE OUR REDWOOD FORESTS Redwoods are a natural wonder that we are fortunate to have in our own backyard. These mighty giants are on the frontlines in our fight against climate change, sequestering more carbon than any other tree on earth and providing a rich habitat for myriad plants and animals.
ŠTeddy Miller 2019
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POST’s work with redwoods began with general habitat protection, but over time, we learned that true protection also requires working to reverse the harmful effects of the extensive clearcutting that occurred over a century ago. A big part of this process is selectively logging—“thinning” forests to allow the healthiest trees to thrive and to reduce fire risk. It is within this context that we recently entered into an innovative partnership with the McCrary family, owners of Big Creek Lumber (BCL), to preserve 937 acres of forest for both conservation and sustainable, local timber supply. This complex, two-property deal required creativity, thoughtfulness and cooperation—and POST led the way. In addition to preserving 320 acres of old second-growth forest in Gazos Creek for habitat and recreation, the project created a working forest conservation easement—the
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first in the region to be collaboratively negotiated between a conservation organization and a commercial timber company—on the separate 617-acre Valencia Creek property in Santa Cruz County. The Valencia Creek acreage, which had been managed by BCL under the property’s previous owners, was facing the threat of subdivision for a few luxury homes. The forest will instead be sustainably harvested by BCL, who will follow even more restrictive and environmentally friendly practices than what current laws allow. Keeping this habitat whole and unfragmented also ensures that wildlife will continue to thrive without the interference of development. Further up the coast, the Gazos Creek acreage, which had been owned by BCL, will be managed by our friends at the Sempervirens Fund. They will work toward transferring it to the state for incorporation
A BCL registered professional forester measures a coastal redwood for planning purposes ©Anthony Cruz 2016
one day into Butano State Park, creating exciting opportunities to expand public access in this lush redwood forest. Optimizing how we use each of these special properties—one for habitat and the other for timber production—is a rare opportunity and one that would not have been possible without the close cooperation of the conservation and timber communities. It’s a collaboration that recognizes the values that we all share—a love of redwood forests, a desire to keep them healthy and thriving, and a devotion to the safety, beauty and health of the communities that surround these extraordinary mountains.
Read more about this innovative deal at openspacetrust.org/valencia-gazos. 7
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MANAGING LOCAL FORESTS FOR A HEALTHY FUTURE The larger the redwood, the more carbon it can store, the more habitat it can provide for wildlife, and the more it can withstand drought, fire and disease. Take a look at how logging practices have shifted and can now help in forest restoration efforts —and what could happen if we don’t actively manage our land.
Prior to late 1800s Healthy redwood forest ecosystems thrived.
Late 1800s–mid-1900s Local forests were devastated by clearcut logging.
Today Trees that have grown back are overcrowded, competing for resources.
Learn more about the benefits of selective logging at openspacetrust.org/healthy-forests. 8
Selective harvesting to thin forests will help older, larger trees thrive and return the forest to a balanced state.
Without thinning, the forests are more prone to catastrophic fire and other threats brought on by climate change.
NETWORKING
LAND AND LIFE, INTERCONNECTED Plants and animals need room to roam, migrate, adapt and survive—especially in the face of a rapidly changing climate. Otherwise, wildlife face the threat of genetic isolation, and we risk losing our region’s invaluable biodiversity. Creating a network of protected land is a
top priority for POST, but often, barriers exist that limit wildlife movement. We are working to identify those obstacles using roadkill surveys, remote cameras and GPS collars on animals—and we’re putting this data to use in Coyote Valley, just south of San Jose.
Coyote Valley, as seen looking south from San Jose |
©Matt Dolkas 2019
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As one of the last remaining linkages for wildlife moving between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Diablo Range, Coyote Valley is a critical intersection of land, and what we do there can affect the long-term resilience of the entire Bay Area. Through scientific research, we’ve found that there are a number of barriers in Coyote Valley that restrict the movement of wildlife. Of these, Monterey Road, a four-lane road running parallel to Highway 101, is the most lethal obstruction. To advise partners, city officials and others on how best to address this issue, we released a report called Recommendations to Reduce Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions on the Monterey Road Corridor in Coyote Valley, Santa Clara County (Monterey Road Report). Coauthored with many partners, the report provides datadriven guidance on how to ensure the safety of wildlife and drivers. The City of San Jose has already installed two signs along Monterey Road to make drivers aware of 10
top left
wildlife crossing areas. But other recommendations, such as reducing the speed limit, lowering the height of the road’s median barrier and improving existing under crossings, are necessary to improve permeability and reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. Additionally, the creation of wildlife crossings—bridges or tunnels—at key locations will provide safe alternatives that meet the needs of various species. Projects like the Monterey Road Report are crucial to the work that we do. When we consider our entire ecosystem and act in its best interest, everyone benefits. Likewise, by combining science with our relationships throughout the conservation community, we can compile relevant data that allow us to look beyond borders and jurisdictions. The results are plans and strategies that will truly make our region more resilient in the face of a changing world. Read the Monterey Road Report at openspacetrust.org/monterey-road.
©Teddy Miller 2019 / bottom left ©Teddy Miller 2016 / middle ©Ashley Hockenberry 2017 / right ©Teddy Miller 2018
The Monterey Road Report is the work of many dedicated partners who are part of the Santa Clara County Wildlife Corridor Technical Working Group, including staff from POST, Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, Pathways for Wildlife, Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department, Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, Santa Clara Valley Water District, and California Department of Fish & Wildlife.
DID YOU KNOW?
W H Y I S B I O D I V E R S I T Y I M P O R TA N T ?
Studies show that crossing structures and fencing that guides animals to such structures can reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions by 85–95%.
Biodiversity, or the variety of life in an area, ensures the sustainability of all life forms. From carnivores to invertebrates and microbes, each species has a role to play in an intricate web of life.
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J A N U A R Y 1 - J U LY 3 1 , 2 0 1 9
TRIBUTE GIFTS IN MEMORY OF Betsy & Nat Allyn Gary N. Apter, MD Rich Archuleta Alton Atkinson Wendy Bilanski Else Bormann Ivan Brink Jeanne Carevic Graham Chloupek George E. Comstock Susan Conway Betsy Crowder Sharon Defty Mr. Ron Dempelein Rosemary DiMelli-Kitajewski John M. Donegan Jeff Donnelly Bud Eisberg Bernie Esser Marion Euphrat & Charles Aronstam Dietrich Fellenz John Felstiner Peter Fenerin Fred Fisher Walter Gill Webster Wright Granger Richard Heggie Dr. William Ward Hofmann, MD Mary Power Hood Relo & Sheila Janecki
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IN HONOR OF Andrew Johnson John Kaku Don Kenyon Christian M. Klotz Arthur Kornberg Samuel Ladabaum Jean Lauer David A. London, MD Dorothy Lunn JoEllen Maguire Franklin M. Matsumoto, MD Lupe Q. McCahill Margaret A. Meek Mary A. Miller David W. Mitchell Morgan the Corgi James Morrell Karen Morss Grace Fisher Nilson Nimbus Ralph Nobles Christy Norfleet Emanuela Paoletti Ron Pederson Janelle Peichoto Francesca Pierotti Mrs. Jan Presleuy Li Qinghui Margie Rauch Jimmie Lynne Rosebro Stan Rosen
Alexander (Mike) Schilling John B. Shaw Jr. Elizabeth Simpson Nita Reifschneider Spangler Bob Stutz Sarah Swanson Joseph Terhar John Thacker Elizabeth (Betty) & Ted Tight Daniel & Ethel Toby Ernest Marc Torczyner Michael Trotman Raelynn Ucovich Ruth Waldhauer Heide Marie Wilson William Zchaler
Carlene Abbors Sue Anawalt Steve Ando Anonymous Karen Armor Sue & Jon Befu Lisa Biesemeyer Andrew Bosworth Phil Boutelle Dean Brobowski & Catherine Lenoir John R. Carlson Cecily Clark Bernard T. Cotter Joanna Dagum Beverly Foster Justin Garland John M. Geaghan Betsy Hart & Mike Bushue Joan & Warren Hausman Carolyn Hayes Elin Larson Anna Lauritzen Thomas LaWer Ken Lawler Brian & Dolly Lee Mark & Debra Leslie Jack Leydig Andrew Michel Robert Michel Rob Miller
Jim Mort Jack & Marion Newlevant Ruth & Marco Palmeri Theoni Pappas Rob Parker Lindsay Peterson Suki Herman Pollak Marilyn Proffitt Audrey Rust Dorothy Scanlan Kim Schoknecht Neal Sharma Robert C. Stebbins, PhD Cynthia Stern SVL Tower B Catherine Crawford Swent James John Taylor Ted & Nancy Vian Chase & Sloane Warden Skip Wortiska Jerry Zis
PROTECT OPEN SPACE YOUR WAY From monthly donations to planned gifts, there are many ways to support POST and contribute to our extraordinary open spaces. Here are a couple of options to consider:
D ONATE STOCK
Stock shares are a tax-smart way to give generously.
M AKE POST A BENEFICIARY
It’s simple to update your donor-advised fund or IRA beneficiaries.
Learn more about these options and others at openspacetrust.org/ways-to-give or call Jeanine Crider at (650) 854-7696 ext. 312. POST Tax ID number: 94-2392007 Published by: Peninsula Open Space Trust, 222 High Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301 (650) 854-7696 openspacetrust.org Design: The Point Collective, Inc. Editor: Liz Torczyner POST is a public benefit California corporation and is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to POST are tax-deductible. Landscapes is printed on 30% post-consumer paper with soy inks. We make every effort to accurately list the names of POST tribute gifts and apologize for any errors or omissions. Please call our office at (650) 854-7696 to notify us of any errors.
©Dzung Nguyen 2019
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2020
PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST 222 HIGH STREET PALO ALTO, CA 94301 (650) 854-7696 OPENSPACETRUST.ORG
This year’s stellar lineup brings breathtaking adventure, lifechanging environmental activism and a climate-friendly sustainable food system to the Wallace Stegner Lecture Series. Subscribe and save your spot for thought-provoking and entertaining evenings that cover important issues related to land, nature and conservation. Subscriptions for our 2020 season go on sale September 25 at openspacetrust.org/lectures.
KEVIN FEDARKO AND ERIN BROCKOVICH March 17, 2020 PETER MCBRIDE
JOSÉ ANDRÉS April 21, 2020
February 18, 2020
All lectures are at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts at 8 p.m.
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©Andrea Laue 2019
©Matt Dolkas 2018
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID SAN JOSE, CA PERMIT NO. 1513