Inside this issue: Preparing for wildfire resiliency, connecting La Honda Creek and El Corte de Madera Creek preserves, and some amazing discoveries about artificial ponds originally made for cattle. Learn about this and more in our spring edition of Views.
SPECIAL FEATURES
The Ripple Effects of Rodenticide Use
Wildlife at Rancho San Antonio affected
Recently, a deceased coyote and bobcat were found in Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve, and both were confirmed to have been exposed to multiple kinds of rodenticides (pesticides and poisons that target rodents). This prompted Midpen staff into action, doing outreach about how the use of rodenticides in the surrounding community pose a significant threat to neighboring wildlife, especially predators and scavengers. It was not the first time.
Ten years ago, 12 bobcats at Rancho San Antonio Preserve died and dozens more were reported sick. Subsequent investigations, including autopsies and lab analysis by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) determined that second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) were the cause. Then as now, Midpen worked to educate neighbors of the unintended effects of rodenticides on wildlife.
Predators, such as this bobcat and coyote at Rancho San Antonio Preserve naturally limit rodent populations, but when rodenticides work their way up the food chain, they harm the predators that were helping limit their populations. (G. Agabin; Midpen staff)
March through June mark the peak of the wildflower season, when an outing to a Midpen preserve can become a treasure hunt for the showiest blooms our region has to offer. These little bursts of color that herald spring are more than just beautiful to witness, they are beneficial to our region’s rich biodiversity and in part, a result of the work Midpen does on your behalf.
Midpen staff, who protect the approximately 70,000 acres of preserved open space, help visitors enjoy the flowers respectfully, ensuring they bloom again next year for the pollinators that rely on them and the visitors who enjoy them.
California wildflowers can be found in many different environments. With the January downpours on the Santa Cruz mountains, spring will be a great time to go on a treasure hunt so that you can experience the full diversity of wildflowers in the Bay Area. Discover which five flowers you are sure to see and where to best find them.
For thousands of years, fire was a natural part of California’s landscape and a land management tool the Native people in this region used to enhance hunting areas and plants they relied on for food and fiber.
As part of Midpen’s Wildland Fire Resiliency Program, staff is ready to return prescribed fire to our land management toolbox this year, possibly as soon as this spring. Currently, staff members are working with fire ecologists and fire agencies to put together comprehensive plans for potential locations in Midpen preserves. These plans will include details on public safety measures, public notification and outreach, smoke management and more.
“Midpen will start with small, simple burns in partnership with fire agencies and local Indigenous tribes,” Midpen Senior Resource Specialist Coty Sifuentes-Winter said. “Our overall goals are to support diverse plants and animals in our region, and human communities as well, by restoring fire-adapted and fire-resilient landscapes.” Learn more and sign up to stay informed at openspace.org/fire.
Small Purchase, Big Impact
Connecting preserves & protecting coastal creeks
A private property recently purchased by Midpen will connect La Honda Creek Preserve and El Corte de Madera Creek preserves. It is also located at the headwaters of La Honda Creek, providing crucial access to improve the water quality of this creek and into San Gregorio Creek, and enabling Midpen to create a big impact on endangered coho salmon and threatened steelhead trout.
Midpen forms part of the Los Gatos Creek Watershed Collaborative, a joint group made up of the San Jose Water Company, Santa Clara Parks, and the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council. The collaborative formed in order to take a holistic approach to forest health and wildfire resiliency. Despite the rainy season, in late 2022 Midpen got an early start in implementing some of these measures.
Connecting conservation and agriculture on the Coastside
Years ago, certain ponds in what were once ranch properties were created to provide water for grazing cattle. Decades later, Midpen discovered surprising effects of these ponds on the coastal grassland's biodiversity, as well as the benefits of having grazers on the fields, in a process called conservation grazing.
A local nonprofit, Saved by Nature, is a recent recipient of Midpen's grant program. Staff have already made great use of these funds to take youth of all backgrounds and ethnicities out into Midpen preserves to get connected to nature.
Midpen is continuing a multiyear process to develop a plan for natural resource management and ecologically sensitive public access at the Hawthorns Area of Windy Hill Preserve, located in the Town of Portola Valley.
At a public meeting on Tuesday, March 21 from 1 – 4 p.m., the Midpen Planning and Natural Resources Committee will review a body of work developed through the project’s existing conditions phase, including an existing conditions/opportunities and constraints report, a transportation study summary report, and a public access framework for the Hawthorns Area.
The committee will also review the proposed composition and formation strategy for the Hawthorns Area Public Access Working Group, which would provide a public forum for stakeholders to collaborate with Midpen and discuss potential parking and trail opportunities at the Hawthorns Area.
Meetings may be viewed online. Links to the meetings are posted with each agenda. There is also a dial in number to listen by phone. Links are included in the meeting agendas posted online 72 hours before the meeting.
Midpen’s annual photo contest returns with online entries accepted April 1 through June 30 and fans voting for their favorite images on Facebook and Instagram in July. One winner in each category will receive a $100 REI gift card and a Midpen swag bag. Categories are:
Landscapes
Plant Life
Wildlife
People in Nature
Aspiring Photographers for youth grades 6-12.
The Trail Less Traveled, a new category seeking photos featuring less-often visited Midpen preserves.
Join Latino Outdoors and Midpen for a virtual baylands webinar to learn about the importance of baylands, the wildlife that thrives in this environment and what we can do to help project these areas.
To sign up for this free virtual event, check out the registration page on Eventbrite.
The David C. Daniels Nature Center, located on the edge of Alpine Pond at Skyline Ridge Preserve, will open for the season on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Come by on opening weekend to explore the facility and engage with Nature Center docent naturalists. The Nature Center will be open Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 5 p.m. during spring and summer, and 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the fall. Stop in and visit the interpretive exhibits and our ambassador gopher snake Rolo, or take a self-guided tour of the pond, enjoy the picnic area and explore the wider preserve.
Docent Naturalist Guided Activities
Free guided activities lead by volunteer docent naturalists offer a great way to explore a new preserve, learn about the natural environment or join others for outdoor recreation.
Has the exceptionally wet winter kept you cooped up more than you like? Are you in need of a little time outdoors and exercise? We’ve got you covered! Check out our one-day volunteer opportunities where you’ll enjoy fresh air, like-minded nature lovers, and the opportunity to get involved in our resource management efforts. No experience is necessary; tools, gloves, and snacks provided. New projects are posted on the first Wednesday of every month.
Photo credits: Red-tailed hawk: Luis Barroso; Bobcat: Sue Gale; Ailing bobcat: G. Agabin; Ailing coyote: Midpen; Wildflower field: C.Henry; General Manager: Ana Ruiz; Wildflowers: Karl Gohl; Tribal Ceremony: Plus M Productions; Redwoods: Allen Ishibashi; Forest health: Midpen; Pond patrol: Midpen; Full circle: Midpen; Photo contest: Larry Chow; Bayland bird: Elena Serrato; Nature Center: Karl Gohl.
.jpg?upscale=true&width=1200&upscale=true&name=BOBCAT%20HUNTING%20PhotoContest-MROSD09%20Bobcat%20Hunting%201-18-07%20Rancho%20SA%20Meadow%20Sue%20Gale%20(2).jpg)
.jpg?upscale=true&width=1200&upscale=true&name=RSA_KG_Karl-Gohl_plants-flowers-trillium%20(2).jpg)
.jpg?upscale=true&width=1200&upscale=true&name=SR_KG_Karl-Gohl_Daniels-Nature-Center-pond_20131029_1-edited).jpg)
