WCC Agenda May 19, 2014

Transcription

Napa County Wildlife Conservation Commission
Members Alex Pader, Chair *** Stephen Orndorf, Vice Chair *** Bill Ryan Ina Pisani Bob Soper Matilda Hale Vic Nienu Heather Phillips AGENDA REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING Monday, May 19, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. 2nd Floor Conference Room, Hall of Justice 1125 Third Street, Napa CA Brian Bordona Supervising Planner Engineering & Conservation Div., PBES Secretary to the WCC Daniel Zador ‐ Planner Engineering & Conservation Div., PBES Kelli Cahill ‐ Planner Engineering & Conservation Div., PBES Laura Anderson‐ Attorney County Counsel’s Office 1. Call to Order (Chair) 2. Public Comment In this time period, anyone may comment to the Commission regarding any subject over which the Commission has jurisdiction, or request consideration to place an item on a future Agenda. No comments will be allowed involving any subject matter that is scheduled for discussion as part of this Agenda. Individuals will be limited to a three‐minute presentation. No action will be taken by the Commission as a result of any item presented at this time. 3. Approval of Minutes: Meeting of February 25, 2013 (Chair) 4. Update and discussion of the Wildlife Conservation Commission (WCC) Budget for Fiscal Year 2013‐2014 (Staff) 5. Review, Discussion and Recommendations on Grant Funding Requests for FY 2013‐14: allocation of WCC funds from California Department of Fish and Game fines and settlements, and local fines and settlements that are designated for this purpose (Chair) Project Funding Requests1 a. Wildlife Rescue Center of Napa County (WRCNC) – Request for 1) 10 ‐ 22 gallon reptarium cages; 2) 3 ‐ 100 gallon reptarium cages; and 3) electrical installation. Total: $2,766.35 (Phyllis Hunt). b. Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District with support from RCD (NCRPOSD) – Yamaha Grizzly 450 4x4 ATV, powered winch including installation, tax/license/registration, truck bed ramp, knox‐type access box, and three helmets (s, m, l). $6,250 (John Woodbury). c. Institute for Conservation Advocacy, Research and Education (ICARE) – 1) purchase and do prescriptive planting of 100 native plants for Suscol Creek areas where there is 1
Total new grant funding requested for projects: $37,524.19
mortality on previously planted natives; 2) plant for shade at restoration Site 3 ‐ a large pool above Site 2; and 3) monitor, map, and coordinate restoration sites: $4,518 (Chris Malan). d. Napa‐Solano Audubon – 1) develop nesting box trails near two elementary schools; and 2) develop Audubon youth group to participate in weekly nature walks, submit Citizen science data to eBird, and monitoring nesting boxes and submit Citizen Science data to NestWatch. Total: $1,939.84 (Wendy Schackwitz) e. Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) ‐ 6 Moultrie M990i trail cameras and 6 SD memory cards: $1,600 (Warden Justin Monroe) f.
Land Trust – Request for funding in support of removal of invasive exotic plant species and restore native riparian habitat in the Linda Falls Permanent Preserve: $10,000 (Teresa Andrews) g. Napa County Resource Conservation District (NCRPOSD) – Request to A2O (acorns to oaks) requests 5 student groups (up to 150 students) to participate in 2 environmental education field trips and 1 oak‐related in class presentation; planting acorns in at least 450 sites (90 sites per each for the 5 field trips), develop relationship with landowners to plant oaks, improve wildlife corridors, genetic corridors, develop in‐class oak exploration guide for use by teachers in Napa County: $10,450 (Frances Knapczyk) 6. Commission member grant 2013‐14 assignments for monitoring (Chair/Commission) 7. Discussion of WCC and Staff participation in Earth Day Festival on April 19th (Staff & Chair/Commission) 8. Other Updates/Announcements and Future Agenda Items (Commission & Staff) 9. Next Meeting Date: August 18th Hall of Justice Building, 2nd floor Conference Room, 1125 Third Street, Napa CA Adjournment Note: If requested, the agenda and documents in the agenda packet shall be made available in appropriate alternative formats to persons with a disability. Please contact Daniel Zador at 707‐259‐8239, 1195 Third St., 2nd Floor, Napa CA 94559, to request alternative formats.
Agenda Item 5a Wildlife Rescue Center of Napa County of Napa 1) 10 ‐ 22 gallon reptarium cages; 2) 3 ‐ 100 gallon reptarium cages; and 3) electrical installation P.O. Box 2571, Napa, CA 94558 707-224-4295 www.napawildliferescue.org
Federal I.D. # 68-0271705, a nonprofit 501(c) 3 corporation
Proposal:
April 25, 2014
I. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION & ELIGIBILITY
The Wildlife Rescue Center of Napa County (WRCNC) was established as a 501(c) 3 nonprofit
corporation in 1991, to rehabilitate ill, injured, or orphaned Napa County wildlife and promote
public awareness through community outreach.
Background
WRCNC operates under permits from the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife and the
California Department of Fish and Wildlife. WRCNC has over 100 active volunteers and
rehabbers. In the beginning of 2014, WRCNC hired our first full time Wildlife Administrator.
WRCNC also contracts with a Dispatch Operator to assist the public with wildlife related
questions and interactions.
Current Operation
The organization’s primary function is to rehabilitate sick, injured, or orphaned Napa County
wildlife. Some of the most frequently encountered animals include a wide variety of songbirds
as well as woodpeckers, crows, hummingbirds, quail, doves, owls, hawks, falcons, foxes,
squirrels, jackrabbits, fawn, raccoons, and opossums.
Our species specific in-home support teams rehabilitate the mammals, raptors and other birds
that are brought into our care. The rehabilitation process begins when members of the public
bring ill, orphaned, kidnapped, injured, or distressed wildlife to our intake center at Silverado
Veterinary Hospital. Trained WRCNC volunteers check the intake center for animals (three
times a day in high season and once a day in low season) and inform the Dispatch Operator if
any animals are present. The Dispatch Operator then contacts the appropriate rehabber and
arranges transportation for the animal. After rehabilitative care, healthy animals are released
back into their native habitats in accordance with strict species-specific release criteria.
Providing rescue and rehabilitative services for wildlife in Napa County
P.O. Box 2571, Napa, CA 94558 707-224-4295 www.napawildliferescue.org
To address community outreach, WRCNC participates in local community events such as
Farmers’ Markets, Earth Day, Healthy People Healthy Planet, Watershed Conservation
Symposium, Whole Foods community non-profit events, school clubs, and Daisy Troop
programs, Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club and others. WRCNC has also arranged for lectures and
trainings with renowned guest speakers which we have opened to our supporters/members list of
over 1,000. WRCNC publishes articles in local newspapers and maintains an active web site and
FaceBook page.
Current Board Members:
President: Judd Howell, 415-419-7760 [email protected]
Vice President: Phyllis Hunt, 707-254-9448 [email protected]
Treasurer: Deborah Brown, 707-226-1077 [email protected]
Secretary: Linda Howard, 707-255-5173 [email protected]
Directors: Kate Bock, 707-299-8482 [email protected]
Carol Poole, 707-363-7807 [email protected]
Jim Brant, 707-259-0762 [email protected]
Dianne Cameron, 818-438-5388 [email protected]
Contact Persons: Judd Howell, President 415-419-7760 [email protected]
Phyllis Hunt, Vice President, 707-254-9448, [email protected]
The Board may be contacted by mail at: P.O. Box 2571, Napa, CA 94558
II.
NEEDS ASSESSMENT/Problem Statement
The WRCNC is the only licensed organization in Napa County permitted to rehabilitate and
release healthy wild animals back into their native habitat, thus providing a unique and valuable
service to the community. WRCNC accepts all Napa County wildlife for rehabilitation.
Throughout the year, hundreds of bird, raptor and mammal species are returned to the wild
following the specialized care of WRCNC volunteers.
WRCNC continuously strives to improve our rehabilitation habitats and care protocols based on
sound, researched best practices. To that end, WRCNC is requesting funding for the following
item:
• 13 new reptarium cages for use at our song bird clinic and for our home rehabbers
• electrical installation for lighting
Objective
• In crease our capacity for safe bird housing
WRCNC attended to over 900 birds, mammals, raptors in 2013. Of these over 500 were song
birds, crows, humming birds, ducks. Our song bird clinic and our year round home rehabbers
found they needed more cages used in the initial stabilization, rehab period and for prolonged
rehab that were easy to transport, assemble, clean, maintain, and most of all provided a safe and
healthy environment for our patients. So we reached out to our colleagues in the Bay Area for
advice on appropriate caging and where to find them. With our colleagues advice, and our own
research we purchased three Reptarium 22 gallon cages for our song bird clinic and home bird
rehabbers. The results were excellent.
WRCNC anticipates even more birds will need our care this season as we have seen a build up of
public awareness resulting in an increase in calls to our HAWK Line and drop offs at our intake
center. To prepare for increases, and better equip our year round home rehabbers, we are asking
for more cages with overhead lighting fixtures installed at the song bird clinic and cages
provided for all our bird rehabbers.
Total Grant Request for:
10 - 22 Gallon Reptarium Cages: $1,69.95/cage $1,699.50 total
3 - 100 Gallon Reptarium Cages: $238.95/cage $716.85
electrical installation: approximate $350
Total: $2,766.35
Method:
WRCNC will purchase the Reptarium Cages on line from BigApple.com or other
appropriate vendor
See Vendor Information Attached
WRCNC will contract with a local electrician to install the lighting fixtures
Timeframe:
WRCNC will be able to purchase and install the cages and lighting upon approval of the grant
request.
Benefit: There are several benefits relative to the goals of the commission.
1. The purchase of new caging is in accordance with the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s
minimum standards, benefits Napa County wildlife and meets the California Fish and Wildlife
2. Code 13103 (b): Funds will be used to directly support temporary ‘treatment and care of
injured or orphaned wildlife.’
WRCNC programs meets the California Fish and Wildlife Code, 13103 (a): Public education
relating to the scientific principles of fish and wildlife conservation, consisting of supervised
formal instruction carried out pursuant to a planned curriculum and aids to education such as
literature, audio and video recordings, training models and nature study facilities.
The purchase of these cages and installation of appropriate lighting will ensure safe, healthy
housing for our birds while they receive the care they need. The purchase of these cages will
expand our clinic and home rehabber capabilities.
III. ATTACHMENTS
List of other funding sources: There are no matching funds for this project
Letter of Support: Not appropriate for this grant request
Completion/progress report of projects completed over past 5 years with the use of Fish &
Wildlife Fine Monies: Not appropriate for this grant request.
Phyllis Hunt
Vice President, WRCNC
[email protected]
707-254-9448
Cell: 707-363-1350
Agenda Item 5b Napa County Regional Parks and Open Space District Yamaha Grizzly 450 4x4 ATV, powered winch including installation, tax/license/registration, truck bed ramp, knox‐type access box, and three helmets (s, m, l) Grant Application
for a Watershed Restoration and Maintenance ATV
Moore Creek Park - Moore Creek and Lake Hennessey Units
PROPOSAL APPLICATION
Submitted by:
Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District
Prepared for:
April 18, 2014
DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION/Eligibility
1. Type of organization:
In November of 2006 Napa County voters approved Measure I, establishing the Napa
County Regional Park and Open Space District (NCRPOSD or District). The District is
authorized to protect and preserve natural areas, wildlife habitat and other open space
resources as well as to plan, improve, and operate a system of public parks, trails,
outdoor recreational facilities, and outdoor science and conservation education
programs. Our jurisdiction includes all of Napa County.
The NCRPOSD is governed by a Board of Directors whose members are directly elected
by the public in each of five wards. Ward boundaries coincide with the County’s Board
of Supervisors’ districts. Funding and staffing for the District currently comes from the
County of Napa, at the level determined by the County Board of Supervisors. The District
is also empowered to obtain grants, accept gifts and collect fees for services provided.
2. Purpose for which organization was formed:
Please see above; prior to the establishment of the NCRPOSD in 2006 Napa had no
County-wide agency dedicated to parks and open space.
3. Tax exempt status:
The NCRPOSD is a Special District of the State of California, formed pursuant to Calif.
Public Resources Code §5500. Grants and donations to the NCRPOSD are tax deductible
as provided at 26 U.S. Code §170(c)(1).
4. Date formed as non-profit:
The District was established by the voters of Napa County in November, 2006.
5. Membership:
Not applicable, we are a public agency.
6. Board of Directors:
First Ward - Karen Bower Turjanis, [email protected]
Second Ward - Tony Norris, [email protected]
Third Ward - Michael Haley, [email protected]
Fourth Ward - Dave Finigan, [email protected]
Fifth Ward - Barry Christian, [email protected]
7. Contact:
John Woodbury, General Manager, [email protected], 707.259.5933
1195 Third Street, Second Floor, Napa, Calif. 94559
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NEEDS ASSESSMENT/Problem Statement
Statement of Problem
In the now 7 years since its inception, the NCRPOSD has permanently protected some 4,500 acres of
habitat, built or improved more than 20 miles of publically-accessible trail, taken over the day-to-day
management of two State Parks which were otherwise slated for closure (and moved those operations
out of the red and into the black), leveraged County-provided local public funding at a ratio of more
than 3-to-1 to support our conservation and land management activities, and motivated and organized
more than 24,000 volunteer hours on projects as diverse as invasive plant removal at Moore Creek Park
and yurt fabrication at Bothe State park. We’re not done yet ; in 2014 and 2015 be on the lookout for
major announcements concerning riparian habitat conservation and trail expansion in south County
near Skyline Park, the opening of the County’s first new environmental education camp in more than 80
years on the shores of Lake Berryessa, a new wilderness-style park with facilities for multi-day
horseback, mountain bike, and hiking adventures in the northern part of the county, and miles and miles
of new trails.
While the District remains very much in a growth mode, we have also reached a moment where we
need to focus an increasing amount of our time and resources on the responsible management of the
resources we have already protected. At Moore Creek Park, just north of Lake Hennessey, we are
currently operating a 650 acre open space park with more than 6 miles of multi-use trails (the Moore
Creek Unit). By the end of this summer, we will also have taken over management of the City of Napa’s
watershed lands on the north side of Lake Hennessey, adding a further 900+ acres and easily 10 miles of
new trail (the Lake Hennessey Unit) to our Moore Creek Park operation. As it stands now, we manage
and steward Moore Creek Park with one live-in volunteer caretaker, a chainsaw and a more or less
motley collection of hand tools, and a small 4x4 pickup truck that we borrow from the County Planning
Department.
Our hope is that the Wildlife Commission sees fit to grant us $6,250 to purchase a small Yamaha ATV
(commonly called a quad) so that we have a dedicated vehicle to use on the narrow trails and steeply
sloped backcountry of the Moore Creek property. The quad would be outfitted with a powered winch,
which would allow us to clear fallen trees and other debris off of trails and other areas that are
otherwise accessible only on foot. It would also allow us to ferry tools and material, as well as food and
water to the volunteer crews that hold work weekends at the park on a near-monthly basis. (If local
people are going to give up a weekend to pull invasive plants or chase rogue cattle off of the property, it
seems only fair that we should be able to provide them with an on-trail water refill for their
camelbacks.) Finally, and importantly, the ATV would also be made available to CADFW wardens and
emergency services personnel from CalFire and the Napa County Sheriff’s Department in case of a fire,
marijuana grow cleanup, medical aid call, or another such incident in the backcountry areas of the
Moore Creek and Lake Hennessey watersheds.
While the ATV would be housed at Moore Creek Park, it is easily loaded into the back of a full size pickup
truck (this grant includes a request for an aluminum loading ramp), so it would also be available to help
facilitate habitat restoration activities, trail maintenance, and volunteer environmental conservation and
education programs at our other facilities as well as those of our local partners.
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Specific Objective & Dollar Amount Requested
We propose to purchase the following equipment in support of our mission to protect and
preserve wildlands and to manage public access to the natural environment:






Yamaha Grizzly 450 4x4 ATV:
$7,200
A powered winch, installed:
$600
Tax, license, registration:
$750
A truck bed ramp:
$150
A Knox-type access box:
$100
Three helmets (S,M,L):
$450
NCRPOSD respectfully requests $6,250 of the total $9,250 (we would match $3,000, or slightly
less than 35% of the total, out of our project budget).
Anticipated Results, With Timeline
The requested quad will markedly improve the District’s ability to maintain the trails and
wildland areas at Moore Creek Park, to continue our habitat restoration efforts there and
elsewhere, and to provide for the safety and security of both park users and emergency
response personnel in the unfortunate case of a fire, medical aid call, or back country injury.
We hope to purchase the quad and associated equipment in July, 2014.
Detailed Description of Methods
The NCRPOSD has a good working relationship with the Napa County Sheriff’s Department (and
in particular with the Search and Rescue team) and CalFire/Napa County Fire Department. We
plan to stage the quad at Moore Creek, in a protected area directly adjacent to a caretaker’s
residence. It would be housed in a locked garage or shed and keys to both the shed and the
quad would be kept in a Knox-type lock box which would be accessible to public safety
personnel from CalFire, the Sheriff’s Department, and the California Department of Fish and
Wildlife (as well as to NCRPOSD staff and designated/trained volunteers.) When not in use by
the District, the quad would also be available to CADFW, should they need it to assist in their
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regular duties in and around Moore Creek and Lake Hennessey (for instance, enforcing sport
fishing regulations at the lake or eradicating illegal marijuana grows in the watershed).
Statement of Benefit Relative to the Goals of the Commission
The goal of the Wildlife Conservation Commission is to “advance the protection, conservation,
propagation, and preservation of fish and wildlife in Napa County.” The Commission is
additionally obligated to limit its grant-making to those purposes listed at Fish and Game Code,
§13103. This request meets the above requirements as follows:
Advancing the Protection, Conservation, Propagation, and Preservation of Fish and Wildlife in
Napa County.
The District plans, improves and operates a system of public parks, trails, outdoor recreational
facilities, and outdoor science and conservation education programs, as well as protecting and
preserving natural areas, wildlife habitat, and other open space resources. At Moore Creek
Park, where the ATV would be stationed, we manage 1,550 acres of protected land, passively
protecting it from development and actively promoting wildlife habitat and open space
resources through the removal of invasive plants, grazing management, decommissioning of
erosive dirt roads, and the construction of a new environmentally-friendly and erosion resistant
trail system.
Additionally, since its creation in 2006, the District’s aggressive program of land acquisition and
open space protection (amounting to more than 4,000 acres in total) has allowed the Wildlife
Commission to focus less on land acquisition for wildlife preserves and more on its other roles
in the protection of wildlife. The purchase proposed here would improve our ability to move
people and materials around on the Moore Creek property and greatly increase the efficiency
of our ongoing stewardship and habitat protection efforts.
Fish and Game Code §13103 (e) - Improvement of fish and wildlife habitat.
The activities mentioned above have been part of our mission at Moore Creek Park from the
outset. We have decommissioned miles of existing ranch roads and, where warranted, replaced
them with new 4’ wide trails which are designed and built using best practices for erosion
reduction and sediment control. We have established a concerted and ongoing program of
invasive plant removal, focused mostly on French broom, and planted new willow and oak in
riparian corridors. We are in the middle of a major campaign of fencing removal and
installation. New fencing has and will be installed at the Moore Creek Unit with the intent of
keeping neighbors’ cattle out of waterways and enabling us to more fully control the timing and
intensity of grazing on our property. We will also be removing fencing, gates, and other barriers
to wildlife movement on both the Moore Creek and the Lake Hennessey units.
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All of these activities will certainly continue, admittedly whether or not the Commission grants
us the funds to purchase the ATV we are requesting here, but the ATV and associated
equipment would allow us to greatly increase the extent and effectiveness of wildlife habitat
enhancements and other conservation efforts.
Fish and Game Code §13103 (g) – Purchase of materials, supplies, or equipment for the
Department of Fish and Wildlife’s ownership or use.
As noted above, the ATV and associated equipment will be staged at Moore Creek Park and
made available to the Department of Fish and Wildlife, along with CalFire and the Napa County
Sheriff’s Department. Each agency will be provided with a Knox-type key which will allow the
access to the storage shed and the quad itself.
Describe How You Intend to Determine if the Proposed Activity is Successful
The success of this purchase will be immediately apparent the first time a broom pulling
volunteer party is restocked with water on a hot August afternoon, the first time a trail is
dragged to harden the tread and reduce erosion, and the first time a CADFW warden or a Napa
County Sheriff’s deputy uses the quad to extract a lost or injured hiker or eradicate an illegal
pot grow on our property or in the neighboring back country.
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ATTACHMENTS
Expenditure Detail
Item
Goods
2014 Yamaha Grizzly 450 4x4 ATV w/ automatic
transmission and power steering
OEM powered winch, installed
YuTrax Tri-Fold Aluminum ATV Ramp
Knox-type key access box
Offroad helmets (S,M,L)
Fees
ATV tax, title, registration, etc
Total
Rate
Units
Total
$7,200
1
$7,200
$600
$150
$100
$150
1
1
1
3
$600
$150
$100
$450
$750
1
$750
$9,250
Funding Source
(2014 Request)
NCRPOSD
Total
$6,250
$3,000
$9,250
List of Other Funding Sources (Matching Funds)
Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District Project Funds (cash): $3,000
Letters of Support
N/A
Completion/progress report of projects completed over past 5 years with the use
of Fish & Wildlife Fine Monies.
Wildlife Conservation Commission grant monies have been committed to the work of the District and of
our partners at the Napa River Ecological Reserve (NRER) over several grant cycles.
Since November 2012 the invasive teasel plant population at the NRER has dropped 80 percent. Over
100 acorns have been planted, staked, and protected with weed-blocking ground cloth. Bandanas were
printed with some of the plants and wildlife found at the NRER. These bandanas were given to the
students who helped with the restoration project.
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Tools were purchased to ease the pulling of weeds and brush cutting. Since November 2012, 564 Napa
Valley students visited the NRER. Twenty NVUSD busses or field trips were funded. The students focused
on various topics while visiting the Reserve. Topics of study ranged from restoring riparian habitats,
monitoring healthy watersheds, bird and wildlife habitats, the importance of native plants and the
dangers of invasive non-native plants.
Students gathered acorns and later planted them at the Reserve. Several classes that were studying
American Indians were taught Ethnobotony and even ground up acorns for future acorn cakes. The
environmental education/habitat restoration field trips were led by docents representing the Napa
County Flood District, Napa County Resource Conservation District, California Native Plant Society,
Natural Resource Conservation Service, Friends of the Napa River, Suscol Intertribal Council, and Go
Wild Consulting.
The following schools visited the Reserve: Vintage High, New Tech High, Valley Oak, St Johns, Blue Oak,
River Middle School, Harvest Middle School, and Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School from St Helena.
Thanks to students who pulled weeds, gathered and planted Valley Oak acorns, picked up trash, spread
wood chips on native plants and trees, the Napa Ecological Reserve is starting to look more a Reserve
with the native grasses and sedges taking back their turf. The interpretive trail has been planted with 25
native plants and trees and the interpretive audio tour is up and running.
2013 grant monies funded our work in conjunction with the Napa County Resource Conservation District
and has been very successful. A first draft of lesson plans and instructional materials focused on the
NRER was completed in February 2014 and a final version will be completed and available by July of this
year.
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Install Gate, NCRPOSD
Install Kiosk, NCRPOSD
Remove Bridge, NAPAH2O
Remove Gate, NCRPOSD
Repair Bathtub Trough, NCRPOSD
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Agenda Item 5c ICARE 1) purchase and do prescriptive planting of 100 native plants for Suscol Creek areas where there is mortality on previously planted natives; 2) plant for shade at restoration Site 3 ‐ a large pool above Site 2; and 3) monitor, map, and coordinate restoration sites Institute for Conservation Advocacy, Research and Education
ICARE
PROPOSAL
April 28, 2014
I. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION /ELIGIBILITY
1. Type of Organization
The Institute for Conservation Advocacy, Research and Education, ICARE is a
locally based nonprofit. ICARE’s project, The Suscol Creek Collaborative
Partnership and Restoration Project, SCCPRP, focuses our scientific effort
within the Napa River watershed to restore native fish populations, and protect
plants and wildlife by improving water quality and quantity.
2. Purpose for Which Organization was Formed
ICARE’s mission is to restore and conserve the biological integrity and health of
watersheds and their ecosystems through science-based biological monitoring,
advocacy through watershed stewardships and public education. The keystone
of this effort is a multidisciplinary team of experts dedicated to maintaining cutting
edge conservation science, policy and outreach. We specialize in innovative,
collaborative projects that move conservation beyond the status quo and achieve
real improvements in the Napa River watershed.
To these ends, ICARE applies a wide array of tools:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
We perform solid technical analysis with direct impacts on policy
objectives.
We offer expert advocacy on complex natural resource management
issues.
We produce and implement new resource management and land
conservation programs.
We assist property owners in aquatic restoration and conservation.
We initiate and participate in a wide array of public outreach and
education programs.
We endeavor to keep a seat at every table, maintaining a dialogue
with all stakeholders in complex conservation challenges.
We are the first and only entity to collect long term biological data
which constantly informs others of the health of the Napa River and
the greater San Francisco Bay and estuary
3. Tax Exempt Status
1
The Institute for Conservation Advocacy, Research and Education (ICARE) is tax
exempt under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code in good standing.
4. Date Formed as Non-profit
ICARE, a locally based nonprofit, was formed October 29, 2004.
5. Membership
We have no members but engage a volunteer base in the community for all of
our projects. This volunteer base is well developed with known accomplishments
and has great rapport county wide. We have no fees for volunteer involvement,
and we do not charge the public when we organize field trips or River tours.
6. Names of Board of Directors Including Contact Person
1. John Stephens, President: passed in 2013 & his seat is vacant
2. Kent Ruppert, Treasurer: 548 Montecito Blvd., 253.8991 [email protected]
3. Jack Malan, Secretary: 2945 Atlas Peak Rd., 328.1858,
[email protected]
4. Lowell Downey, 1225 Division Street, Napa, Ca. 94559, 257.1166
[email protected] or [email protected]
5. Stephanie Faulkner, 5266 Dry Creek Rd. Napa, Ca. 94558 310.5703
[email protected]
6. Contact Person: Chris Malan, Executive Director 255.7434
[email protected]
Advisor:
Mark Faulkner, technical advisor
II NEEDS ASSESSMENT/PROBLEM STATEMENT
1. Clear Statement of Problem
The San Francisco Bay Delta estuary is the largest on the Pacific Northwest
coast, draining over 30 percent of the water in California. This dynamic system
supports more than 120 species of fish and other wildlife, is a critical waterfowl
migration area and is important globally for commerce, navigation, fisheries, and
recreation. The Napa River watershed provides the second largest supply of
fresh water flow to the estuary. Three ecosystems converge in this watershed,
making it one of the richest biological resources in the Pacific Northwest. The
California Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Nature Conservancy,
Nature Serve and the California Regional Water Quality Control Board have all
identified the Napa River as a regionally significant watershed and a rich
biological repository that is crucial to the health of this bioregion.
2
Since 1987, the Napa River has been listed as an “impaired” water body due to
pollutants such as sediment nutrients and pathogens and may soon be listed for
temperature, mercury and flow impairment. High temperatures from lack of
canopy cover and invasive plants such as Himalayan blackberries and arundo w
negatively affecting native fish habitats.
The National Marine Fisheries Service has listed steelhead as a threatened
species and Chinook salmon as endangered and both migrate, spawn and rear
in the Napa River watershed.
Suscol Creek is a south eastern sub-watershed of the Napa River watershed.
Suscol Creek has a viable wild steelhead population that is throughout this entire
sub-watershed. In fact, this is the only sub-watershed of the east side of the
Napa River watershed where steelhead migrate, spawn and rear from the
confluence to the headwaters. The reason for this is due to no fish barriers and
adequate flows. This makes Suscol Creek a critical anchor habitat for steelhead
because much of the Napa River’s tributaries lack sufficient flows throughout or
has barriers to fish migration. Over 2/3rd’s of the eastern watershed of the Napa
River is blocked for salmonid migration due to instream dams. Additionally there
are no by-pass flows or fish passage to historic habitats above the dams.
ICARE has organized a Suscol Creek Stewardship (SCS) where 6 of the 15
property owners are involved in restoration efforts throughout the riparian areas
for 11 years. SCS functions well and as a result of this success, improvements
each year are being made to help restore the creek. Additional information about
the SCS can be viewed at www.icarenapa.org
The SCS has objectives to improve the health of Suscol Creek by:
o removing the invasive and non-native plants i.e., Himalayan blackberry,
(HBB)
o collecting yearly benthic macroinvertebrates aka BMI (aquatic insects)
which are excellent water quality indicators
o steelhead snorkel surveys
o
HBB is an insidious plant that has invaded about 1/2 of the riparian areas of
Suscol Creek thereby displacing native plants. In some locations such as
Restoration Site 2, (see map attached) the HBB are creating sediment bars
thereby, disrupting gravel transport downstream. This is having a negative impact
on native fish habitats as gravel transport insures spawning.
From the confluence to the headwaters SCS are currently eradicating HBB.
ICARE has on-going efforts to develop grant sources to help with the HBB
removal for all property owners.
3
In some stream reaches the HBB has been more than 50 feet thick, thereby
replacing the native vegetation and dominating the riparian zone. Invasive HBB
has reduced the botanical biodiversity in this watershed. Suscol Creek is home to
a wide array of wildlife that depends on riparian health that starts with diversified
vegetation which can be the bottom of the food chain for animals. BMI depend on
riparian plants for food. The primary food for fish is BMI.
Other environmental impacts to Suscol Creek include: the Napa Sanitation
effluent spray fields and diminishing flows due to water diversions and
groundwater pumping. Cattle were removed from Suscol watershed 8.213 after
over a100 years of cattle grazing. ICARE is documenting incredible landscape
changes since the cattle have been removed such as:
o Grasses are growing in previously eroded areas
o Instream gravels are cleaner with less sediment
o Riparian area show less bank erosion
2. Specific Objective and specific dollar amount requested: ICARE is
requesting $4,518.00 to accomplish these stated objectives:
Purchase and do prescriptive planting of 100 native plants for Suscol
Creek riparian areas where we have mortality of previous native plants
o Plant for shade at Restoration Site 3-a large pool above Site 2
o monitor, map and coordinate restoration sites
o
In 2014 we will continue to remove HBB patch 150 feet wide by 300 feet long in
the upper watershed (site #2 on the attached map) where most of the steelhead
live year around. This HBB patch is particularly detrimental to Suscol Creek
because it is trapping coarse sediment from transporting down stream causing
aggrading of the stream. Consequently, the stream is jumping into the flood plain
and causing a significant erosion event for the last two years. We discovered this
problem in our snorkel surveys in 2009-2011 that the lower reaches of Suscol
Creek are lacking coarse sediment/gravels necessary for spawning. This
particular HBB patch is collecting large amounts of coarse sediment or gravel
important to spawning. Our stream ecologist Dr. Charley Dewberry recommends
removing the HBB which will free up the course sediment/gravels which can then
distribute downstream in storm events. By removing this HBB patch and planting
native willows and other riparian plants we will be able to eliminate a sediment
source, cause gravel to move down stream for spawning and create a viable
native plant community along the stream area.
Other objectives:
o SCS will continue to remove HBB sprouts throughout the watershed
4
o Yearly GIS mapping of the progress of HBB removal provided to the
public
o Maintain fish screens at the reservoir after each storm event
o Monitor water quality and quantity
o Photo document cattle removal changes in the watershed
o Continue to seek funding for conservation easement, bike trails, open
space and Steelhead Preserve
3. Anticipated Results with Time-Line 2014-2015
1. April 2014-BMI bioassessment sample collection
2. June 2014 –snorkel count for steelhead and survey Suscol Creek to identify
pools where steelhead need additional vegetation cover for food and shade.
3. April –October 2014-work with property owners to identify HBB removal sites
on their property
4. Provide property owners with GIS maps of HBB sites and removal sites by
December 2014.
5. September 2014 order prescriptive native plants for restoration site #1 and 3
6. September 2014-October 2015-provide erosion control best management
practices as needed for on-going restoration sites.
7. Spring-summer 2014 remove HBB including painting or spraying treatment of
HBB sprouts with Rodeo as needed and approved by the Department of Fish and
Game.
8. Monitor 2x/year to determine success and failure of new plants.
9. Year around monitoring of stream flows and temperature
10. Photo documentation of cattle removal changes to watershed
4. Detailed Description of Methods Planned to Achieve Objective
a. Survey the riparian site where HBB will be removed and flag all
native vegetation to protect them. Manual removal of HBB and use of
Roundup/Rodeo where necessary and has previously been approved
by the Department of Fish and Game.
b. Follow up with additional removal of sprouts as needed. (restoration
map available) when the sprouts are 18 inches tall
c. Prescription planting of native vegetation and replace plants that die
d. Hawkins-Reeves method of snorkel surveying random habitat typesevery 10th pool riffle and glide (we survey every 5th). Move from down
stream to upstream until there is no more presence of steelhead
e. Collect hobo temperature data currently placed in the creek in 3
locations on a monthly basis.
f. Stage height recorders mounted in the creek in two locations and
monitored monthly for data collection.
5
g. Using the State protocol for collecting BMI we will collect BMI from
four sites (April 2014) in the riffles and send them to the lab for
taxonomic purposes to determine water quality of Suscol Creek.
5. Clear Statement of Benefit Relative to the Goals of the Fish & Wildlife
Conservation Commission
Restoration and conservation efforts will improve the health of Suscol Creek and
increase the survivability of wildlife that depends on good water quality and
quantity. Removing HBB, planting native plants, reducing sediment sources,
maintaining adequate flows and eliminating non-native fish throughout the Suscol
Creek riparian areas of the watershed will improve native fish habitat for
threatened species such as steelhead. It is critical to the survival of steelhead in
the Napa River watershed that riparian areas be restored. Much of the Napa
River watershed is threatened by HBB and other non native plants. Additionally,
HBB are trapping coarse sediment (gravels) in bars higher in the watershed
which is diminishing gravel transport downstream thereby reducing spawning
habitats. The SCS is dedicated to restoring Suscol Creek to improve the
likelihood that native fish can survive into the future.
6. Describe how you intend to determine if the proposed activity is
successful.
1. ICARE’s experts along with property owners will conduct field monitoring
2 times per year, of the HBB removal sites and native plantings to
document the success of removal of HBB and establishment of native
plants. This monitoring will be photo documented along with GIS
mapping of the restoration sites past and present. GIS monitoring maps
will be available upon request.
2. Snorkel surveys for fish will inform the SCS of the number of surviving
fish. The SCS restoration results, recommendations and reports are
available to the public and available at the Napa County Watershed
Information Center and Conservancy, (WICC) and www.icarenapa.org .
3. Year around flow monitoring will inform water users of flow conditions and
aide in adaptive management for healthy flows.
4. After 9 years of strong advocacy to remove the cattle from the Creek and
a Grazing Management Plan finalized in 2013, the cattle were removed
8.2013. This is a remarkable accomplishment after 150 years of grazing.
5. The Napa Sanitation District removed hundreds of feet of HBB and
replanted native plants as a result of ICARE’s stewardship efforts.
ATTACHMENTS
6
ATTACHMENTS
1. See attached expenditure details
2. List of other funding sources
Funding committed to date includes
1. Private funding: $17,600.
2. ICARE In-kind: $5,000.
3. Description of projects completed over past 5 years with the use of Fish
& Game Fine Monies.
ICARE received these funds for: Prescriptive native plantings, monitoring and
mapping of HBB removal and planting succession, restoration site planning,
coordination and management of the Project. The results have been 82%
survival rate of plantings and approximately 8,000 linear feet of HBB removal at a
depth of up to 75 ft. and 7ft. tall. Grass lands are rejuvenating with riparian
vegetation growth and improved water quality since the cattle have been
removed last summer. Adaptive management keeps the SCS constantly
adjusting our restoration efforts to meet the recovery needs of Suscol Creek.
2008
$3,000.
2009
$2,500.
2010
$4,000.
2012
$8,613
2013
$5,336
7
ATTACHMENT 2: Wildlife Commission Grant Proposal Request
$4,518.00
Institute for Conservation Advocacy, Research and Education
ICARE
Suscol Creek Collaborative Partnership Restoration Project
2014-2015
Budget for the Napa County Wildlife Commission
Dr. Charley Dewberry, stream Ecologist
Scientific oversight, field surveys & reports
Consult with ICARE, Stewardship and botanist about site
specific locations for native plantings at pools, riffles and
glides that need riparian restoration based on fish habitat
improvement needs. Approve maps.
Consult with ICARE and Stewardship about where
on Suscol Creek the 2014-2015 HBB removal should be as it relates to improving
fish habitat and identified restoration site. Prepare restoration site map.
Subtotal
5 hrs. x $100./hr =
Total
$250.
$250.
$500.
Assistant Field Biologist
GIS map HBB removal and native plant succession 2x/year
Map SCS Steelhead Preserve
Subtotal
16hrs x $38/hr=
$456
$228
$684
Botanist, Jake RuygtSupervise HBB removal and native plantings, order and deliver prescriptive
plants for restoration site, compare restoration effort to historical watershed
plant communities
100 plants x $7.50/plant
Subtotal
38 hrs. x 48
Manage
And Coordinate this project
Subtotal
Contracts, invoices, field supervision, provide linkage to
stewardship, monitor project, organize meetings,
development of adaptive management
20 hrs. x 38 =
$ 1,824.
$750.
$ 2,574.
$760
$760
Total
$4,518.00
In-kind
Contribution Partners contribution: HBB removal and other labor
$5,000.
k
l Cr ee
Su sco
Upper Restoration Site # 2
38. 24332500 -122.24394167
Upper Stream Crossing
38. 24332500 -122.24394167
Lower Restoration Site
Lower Stream Crossing_Upper Restoration Site #1
38.24348833 -122.24837833
Suscol Creek Collaborative Partnership and Restoration Project 2010
Restoration Map 2010
Napa County Creeks
Suscol Creek Restoration Sites
Upper Restoration Site #3
38.24348000 -122.24227500
Agenda Item 5d Napa‐Solano Audubon 1) develop nesting box trails near two elementary schools; and 2) develop Audubon youth group to participate in weekly nature walks, submit Citizen science Napa-Solano Audubon’s 2014 application for WCC grant funds.
I. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION/Eligibility
1. Type of organization or business
Non-profit 501(c)3 Organization
2. Purpose for which organization was formed
NSAS mission statement: “..to share the fun of birding, promote conservation and
scientific understanding of wild birds and their habitats and offer engaging science-based
education emphasizing the communities of Napa and Solano Counties.”
3. Tax exempt status
501(c)3 non-profit
California tax ID: 94-2375760
Federal tax ID (EIN): 237325783
4. Date formed as Non-profit
Sept 18, 1973
5. Membership: restrictions, number of members, fee, etc.
No restrictions; membership $25 individual, $35 family, current memberships 958
memberships (individuals plus families). All of our programs and field trips are open to
members and non-members at no charge
6. Names of Board of Directors; contact person (include phone number, email address, mailing
address)
Napa Solano Audubon Society Board Members as of April 16, 2013
Position President Vice President Member Cheryl Harris Dr. John Glover Treasurer Secretary Webmaster Membership Chairman Field Trip Co‐Chairman Field Trip Co‐Chair Hospitality Chairman Program Chairman Education Chairman Publicity & Outreach Conservation Chairman Member at Large Member at Large State Audubon Rep Benicia CBC Angwin CBC & Friday Walks Dr. Bob Martin Diane Ley Dave McMullen Vacant Bruce Thomsen Wendy Cole Pat Hildreth Vacant Wendy Schackwitz Cheryl Harris Vacant Jane Hicks Laura Erickson Vacant Robin Leong Murray Berner Email Address [email protected] [email protected] or [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] red‐[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Phone (707) 294‐6423 (707) 645‐1638 (707) 225‐1750 (707) 552‐2905 (707) 643‐7471 (707) 224‐1906 (707) 963‐2331 (707) 252‐8928 (925) 963‐4871 (707) 294‐6423 (707) 553‐8901 (980) 621‐1288 (707) 643‐1287 (707) 224‐5897 7. Contact Person:
Wendy Schackwitz, 925-963-4871, [email protected], 1166 Monticello Rd; Napa,
CA 94558
II. NEEDS ASSESSMENT/Problem Statement
1. Clear statement of problem
Problem 1 – Cavity nesting birds suffer from the lack of suitable nest trees (dead and dying trees).
Problem 2 – Napa-Solano Audubon needs more outreach to youth, especially in the area of
Citizen Science.
2. Specific objective and specific dollar amount requested


Objective 1: Develop nesting box trails near two Napa County elementary schools.
Objective 2: Develop an Audubon youth group that will:
o Participate in weekly nature walks, submitting Citizen Science data to eBird
o Monitor nesting boxes, submitting Citizen Science data to NestWatch
Dollar amount requested = $1,939.84
3. Anticipated results, with time-line




Establish two Youth Mentor Teams from Napa-Solano Audubon members. These mentors
will lead a weekly walk with the youth, teaching them about the birds they see along the
walk. Teams will be established by the end of August 2014
Develop Youth Citizen Science Teams. This will be a core set of youth birders/nesting box
monitors at each school. Species seen and activities at nesting boxes once nesting season
begins will be observed during the walks and reports will be submitted to Cornell Lab of
Ornithology through the two Citizen Science projects eBird and NestWatch. Weekly walks
will begin in September 2014 and continue throughout the 2014-2015 school year.
Build and install nesting boxes at 2 schools (currently working with Donaldson Elementary
and Napa Valley Language Academy) as well as at two nearby parks/open spaces (currently
working with American Canyon Wetlands, Carolyn Parr Nature Center, and adjacent
Westwood Hills Park) that are easily accessible from the school. If permissions granted,
boxes will be installed by February 2015.
Establish two Nest Box Monitoring Teams from Napa-Solano Audubon. These teams will
maintain the nesting boxes including, opening the boxes, removing wasps and dead birds,
dealing with wet nests, removing used nests, cleaning the boxes after nesting and performing
any necessary repairs. Additionally the monitors will be recording nesting activity including
species using the box, date nest building begins, date eggs are laid, date eggs hatch, date
babies fledge. Teams will be in place by February 2015.
4. Detailed description of methods planned to achieve objective

Establish permission for nest box installation. Current locations being pursued are 2 schools
(Donaldson Elementary and Napa Valley Language Academy) as well as at two nearby
parks/open spaces (American Canyons Wetlands, Carolyn Parr Nature Center and adjacent
Westwood Hills Park). I have worked with Donaldson Elementary, Napa Valley Language
Academy, and American Canyon Open Space during the Hummingbirds At Home project
and I have received excited enthusiasm from all of the above groups regarding this project.
There has not yet been time to formally present this project to the various boards to receive
permission of nest box placement, but I will be meeting with several of the boards over the
next month to begin the process of getting permission. No monies will be spent on nest box
materials or nest monitoring supplies until permissions have been granted.

Materials purchased and nest boxes constructed. Once locations of nest box trails have been
formally established, Napa-Solano Audubon will coordinate with the various groups that
have built our nesting boxes in the past. These include Audubon members, Boy Scout Troops,
and Veterans groups.

Install boxes at schools and adjacent parks/open spaces. Galvanized poles (predator resistant)
will be placed and boxes installed in appropriate habitat. An Audubon member work party
will be organized to accomplish all installations and will work in coordination with the
school/open space/park where the boxes are to be installed.

Establish Audubon Teams
 Nest Box Monitors are responsible for maintenance and monitoring of nest boxes. We
have already developed 3 Nest Box Monitoring teams for Solano County. These three
teams are monitoring 3 nest box trails at Lynch Canyon in collaboration with Solano
Land Trust. Monitoring is once a week during the nesting season, typically March-Sept.
These teams consist of 4-5 Audubon members each. We will recruit Team captains from
within this existing group who will lead and train new Nest Box Monitors.
 Youth Mentors – responsible for teaching bird identification to youth groups, assisting
with data collection and data submission to Cornell Lab of Ornithology. I will train at
least 4 Audubon members to act as Youth Mentors. These Youth Mentors will have
acceptable bird ID skills, an enthusiasm for working with youth, and the ability to
commit to leading the weekly walks.

Develop Youth Citizen Science Teams
 Teachers at each elementary school will identify 2-6 children who will participate.
Groups are kept small so each student gets quality instruction from the Audubon Youth
Mentor. If there is additional interest, and if I can get additional Youth Mentors, we can
look to expand this to include more students.
 Audubon Youth Mentors will begin leading weekly morning walks in September 2014
 Youth monitoring of nesting activity (from a distance) will begin once nesting activity
has been detected by Audubon Nest Box Monitors
 Youth Citizen Scientists will fill out and submit weekly Citizen Science reports to eBird
of species seen
 Youth Citizen Scientists will fill out weekly nesting activities reports once nesting
activity is detected and submit them to NestWatch
5. Clear statement of benefit relative to the goals of the Commission
 Education of youth and active hands on engagement with our local wildlife
 Creation of habitat for cavity nesting birds

Collection of Citizen Science data which will be used to evaluate nest box success and
improve existing nest box trails and provide guidance for establishing future trails
6. Describe how you intend to determine if the proposed activity is successful
 Students are engaged enough to participate for the entire year. The goal would be to have
at least 80% of the students who start the program continue to the end of the year.
 At least one nest box on each trail has been used by a bird. Evaluate % of nesting boxes
that successfully fledged birds.
 Audubon Youth Mentors and Nest Box Monitors are willing to participate for the 2016
nesting season
 Teachers are willing to participate for the 2016 nesting season
 The Parks and Open Spaces we have collaborated with extend the invitation to continue
the monitoring.
 At the end of the season we will give evaluation forms to all parties involved to
determine what worked, what didn’t work, how it could be better. If possible we will also
arrange a picnic celebration where we can discuss in person what we should do the
following season.
III. ATTACHMENTS
1. Expenditure detail
Attachment A: “WCC NSAS 2014 budget for grant” Excel sheet.
2. List of other funding sources (i.e. - matching funds)
Attachment A: “WCC NSAS 2014 budget for grant” Columns H and I
 Napa Solano Audubon - details on attached “WCC NSAS 2013 budget for grant” Excel
sheet.
 Mike & Wendy Schackwitz - $250
 Matching $250 gift from Microsoft
3. Letters of support (a letter of support from a school board member, principal, teacher, etc., shall
be included with environmental education proposals)
Attachment B and C
Below is a list of the individuals that have expressed support for the project. Many of the agencies
were unable to provide letters of support without presenting the project to their full
board/committee. I am in the process of arranging presenting this project at their next meetings.
Attachment B - While not yet formal letters of support, contains email threads from many of the
individuals listed below that demonstrate their interest in the project. I intend to have formal
letters of support by the time the proposal is presented to the committee on May 19th.
Attachment C is a letter of support from Friends of the Napa River
 Napa Valley Language Academy – Marliese Esquvel, Michelle Risso - teachers
 Donaldson Elementary – Maureen McCullough, Scott Thomson, Amanda Collinson –
Teachers
 American Canyon Open Space – Barry Christian, Nance Matson – Advisory Committee
members


Friends of the Napa River – Bernhard Krevet, Barry Christian – Board member

Carolyn Parr Nature Center – Joyce Nichols
Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District – John Woodbury, Napa
County Regional Park and Open Space District Barry Christian – Board member
4. Completion/progress report of projects completed over past 5 years with the use of Fish & Game
Fine Monies.
Attachment D
This attachment contains a time line of many of the events that were supported by the WCC 2013
grant for the Napa-Solano Audubon Hummingbirds At Home project.
Attachment E
PowerPoint presentation.
AttachmentB CommentsofSupport From American Canyon Open Space and Friends of the Napa River and Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District. “Hi Wendy, I'm on the City of American Canyon's Open Space Advisory Committee, the Board of Friends of the Napa River, and the Board (5th District Director) of the Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District, however I do not have authority to act for any of these organizations without fellow member approval. I can request to have your project placed onto all three group agendas but it will delay your grant request. I'm forwarding this to the appropriate manager for each group in case your project somehow meets previously approved guidelines. Otherwise I appreciate your efforts and personally strongly support your request but I can only speak as an individual at this point in time. Thank You, Barry Christian” “Hi Barry, I think that this project falls well within the objectives of Friends of the Napa River. It would certainly tie in with our own "In‐School Watershed Education Program". (Some time ago we had our own "Habitat for Hooters" project to build nest boxes for barn owls.) I am not quite sure how FONR would 'participate' in this program in addition to finding it consistent with our goals. If that's sufficient at this point in time, we could whip out a letter of support. Thanks Bernhard.” “Barry and Wendy: This sounds like something the park district should support, but the full Board would need to vote on it since I don’t think it fits within any of our existing authorizations. I can put it on the next agenda (May 12) if that’s not too late. I would need a project description with location. ‐‐John W.” From Carolyn Parr Nature Center. I will be meeting with Joyce in person this coming Sunday and will be discussing the project with her further. “Hi Wendy, How could we be of help at the Nature Center? You could meet at the Center and store supplies, maybe? Could you give us more details on the program? Thanks, Joyce” From Teacher at Donaldson Elementary. I have spoken with her about establishing some nesting boxes along the stream the school is rehabilitating and she intended to write me a letter of support. As of today all I have is her sentence below which is referring to our discussion. This email was written after their day long environmental fair celebrating the Stream Rehabilitation project that the 5th grade classes have under taken. All of my teacher contacts are in a mad over‐worked scramble at the moment  “Wow! What a great day! When we started this project we were very uncertain about how to proceed. And then Barry got involved and connected us with Stephanie and Chip. Barry also worked with the city and more. Kent has been around for us for many years, but came on board to offer support and encouragement. Wendy joined us as we progressed and has added and will continue to add so much. Dylan found us, too, and added another amazing layer to our learning. As educators we had ideas of what curriculum we wanted and needed to include, but your time and support helped us to build this project to its amazing conclusion. For me, the experience was fantastic. At every turn we discovered another person who was eager to join in, donate, participate and support us. For our students this was an amazing experience. This gave me a deeper understanding of community than I have ever experienced before. I think we were able to help our students understand this community connectedness as well. I am excited about what comes next. Going to take a little time off, and start looking at what next year will bring our way on this wonderful project. Speaking for myself and Amanda and Scott. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! You are all amazing!” Below is from my contact at Napa Valley Language Academy. “Wendy, I am sorry but I cannot write anything at this hour. I have a lot suddenly going on and my mind is full. I need to rest and try again tomorrow, perhaps. I would like to see the Nesting box program established at NVLA. Sorry, Marliese” P.O.Box 537, Napa, CA 94559
Phone 707-254-8520
www.friendsofthenapariver.org
[email protected]
April 28, 2014
Board of
Directors
Bernhard Krevet
(President)
Francie Winnen
(Vice-President)
Tim Yarish
(Vice-President)
Laurie Puzo
Tony Norris
Chuck Shinnamon
(Treasurer)
Karen Bower
Turjanis
Barry Christian
Shari Gardner
David Graves
Tracy Krumpen
Kent Ruppert
Honorary
Advisory Board:
Moira Johnston
Block
David Garden
Roger Hartwell
Harold Kelly
Rudolf Ohlemutz
Mike Rippey
Judith Sears
Ginny Simms
Barbara Stafford
Wendy Schackwitz
Educational Chair
Napa-Solano Audubon
By Email <[email protected]>
Friends of the Napa River (FONR) supports the Blue Bird Monitoring
Project as proposed in the grant request submitted by Wendy
Schackwitz, Educational Chair - Napa-Solano Audubon Society.
This project falls well within the objectives of Friends of the Napa
River, and we acknowledge a tie in with our own "In-School
Watershed Education Program".
Some time ago FONR had its own "Habitat for Hooters" project to
build nest boxes for barn owls.
Friends of the Napa River will use its influence with volunteers and
local officials to help support this project.
Sincerely,
Bernhard Krevet,
President, Friends of the Napa River
FONR-Audubon-2014-04-28.doc Page 1 of 1
AttachmentD
ProgressReportofpreviouslyfundedHummingbirdsAtHomeproject.
HummingbirdsatHomeTimeline:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
11)
12)
July 21st 2014 ‐ Dia De Las Familia Wendy Schackwitz and Karen Garcia (CanDo) conducted tabling event with Kids Activity (described below). July 2014 – September 2014 – COPE presentations at NVLA – Karen Garcia (CanDo) presented Kids Activity September 21st 2014 – Wendy Schackwitz presented PowerPoint (Attachment E) at AAUW banquet to honor their TechTrek graduates (http://aauw‐techtrek.org/). October 9th – Wendy Schackwitz Presented PowerPoint to Napa County Native Plant Society/ Napa‐Solano Audubon Society monthly program January 11th – Wendy Schackwitz and Carol Boykin conducted Hummingbirds at Home workshop at American Canyon Approximately 30 people attended. Presented a lecture about the project then lead a beginning birder’s walk. At conclusion of the walk each participant received a Hummingbirds at Home Individual’s Kit (for contents see below). January 31st – Wendy Schackwitz presented Hummingbirds at Home workshop of Educators 5 teacher attended. Gave feedback on contents of kit. Expressed interest in checking out a kit. February 14th and 15th ‐ American Canyon Wetlands Great Backyard Bird Count 2 day festival Wendy Schackwitz led 3 beginning birding walks, one of which was entirely for young (4‐8 year old) budding naturalists. Many NSAS volunteers assisted with the Hummingbirds At Home Kid’s Activity which was one of three featured activities for kids at the festival. March 11th 2014 – NSAS Placed 2 Teacher’s Kit at Napa Valley Language Academy One kit is being used by Michelle Risso who has ~100 students, the second kit is being used by Marliese Esquivel of NVLA for her 1st grade class as well as for an after school pre‐K class. March 13th 2014 – Wendy Schackwitz led walk for 5th grade classes at Donaldson Elementary – featured a hummingbird nest with mom. Nearly 100 kids were able to observe the mother hummingbird in her nest through the spotting scope NSAS provided. April 1st 2014– Hummingbirds at Home project presented on local radio station April 3rd 2014 – Wendy Schackwitz Presented Hummingbirds at Home PowerPoint to 5th grade classes at Donaldson elementary April 15th 2014 Marliese Esquiuvel gives her first Hummingbirds at Home class. “So today was the first Hummingbird class and they all left talking about going home to be citizen scientists. Also they want to meet you and go on a bird walk. Could you send me details? Do you know anyone in Audubon interested in coming to share with class? Every Tuesday 230 ‐330. “ Keep in touch! Marliese” I am in the process of arranging a walk and a class room visit. AdditionalInformation




Contents of Teacher’s Kits o Books about Hummingbirds that teachers can read to young students o Books for the teachers so they can learn about hummingbirds o Copy of my powerpoint presentation o Coloring sheet of Rufous Hummingbird o Nature video about hummingbirds o Tool for making newspaper pots o Mock hummingbird nest that students can hold o Jellybellies – mock hummingbird egg o Nickel – weighs what mom hummingbird weighs o Audubon at Home instructional Pamphlet o Scarlet runner bean seed Hummingbirds At Home Kid’s Activity o Look at real hummingbird nest o Make a plant pot out of newspaper o Plant a hummingbird plant (scarlet runner bean or Fava bean depending on season), o Hold a mock nest with two jelly bellies (size of hummingbird egg) and a nickel (weight of mom hummingbird) Hummingbirds At Home Individual’s Kits o Hummingbirds at Home instruction pamphlet o Nectar feeder tube and instructions on how to build your own hummingbird feeder o Handmade net for hanging feeder o Seed packet of native wildflower seed PowerPoint presentation – See Attachment E Agenda Item 5e California Department of Fish and Wildlife 6 Moultrie M990i trail cameras and 6 SD memory cards Department of Fish and Wildlife
Napa County Squad
Grant Proposal for Year 2014
I. Description of Organization / Eligibility
1. State of California
Department of Fish and Wildlife
Law Enforcement Division
North Coast District, Napa/Sonoma/Marin County Squad
7329 Silverado Trail
Napa, CA 94558
2. The Mission of the Department of Fish and Wildlife is to manage California's
diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they
depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public.
As Peace Officers with statewide authority, the role of a Fish and Wildlife
Officer in the above stated mission is to enforce the law and educate the public.
This is done by enforcing the Fish and Game Code (codified laws) and the orders,
rules, and regulations of the Fish and Game Commission, and by providing the
public with hunting, fishing, and environmental information.
3. Tax exempt status: N/A
4. Date formed as Non-profit: N/A
5. Membership: N/A
6. Names of Board of Directors: N/A
Contact persons:
Lt. Jim Jones
707-864-3808
[email protected]
Wdn. Justin Monroe
707-330-8352
[email protected]
II. Needs Assessment / Problem Statement
1. Violations of fish and wildlife related laws and regulations occur regularly within
Napa County. Examples of violations that occur in Napa County are: fishing or
hunting without a license, taking over the legal limits of fish or wildlife, illegal
hunting with the aid of bait, taking of fish and wildlife with illegal means of take,
take of all other game out of season, littering in or near waterways, pollution of
state waters, sale of sport caught wildlife and illegal alteration of streams.
Currently there are two Wardens assigned to Napa County and one supervising
Lieutenant. These officers patrol all areas of the county, including private and
public lands, from the Napa River/Marsh in the southern portion of the county to
the more rugged mountainous areas near Lake Berryessa and Knoxville Wildlife
Area. Patrols are conducted at all hours of the day and night. More often than not,
these patrols are conducted alone with little or no law enforcement back up or
assistance.
One thing that Wildlife Officers struggle with on a regular basis is the ability to be
‘in the right place at the right time.’ With only two officers dedicated to patrolling
the almost 750 square miles of Napa County, it stands to reason that many
violators will never be brought to justice. Officers spend much of their time
driving from one location to the next, unable to give many areas the patrol
presence they deserve. Aside from citizen tips, one of the best ways officers have
been able to adapt to this problem is the use of modern technology, in particular
cameras and other optics. Trail cameras are a great way for officers to monitor
particular problem areas and pinpoint the time and location that unlawful activity
is occurring. In essence, it allows each officer to be in multiple places at once.
Once these patterns are recognized, wildlife officers can plan patrols with a much
better chance of catching a violator in the act.
2. It is the objective of the Department of Fish and Wildlife to protect the fish and
wildlife resources from those who destroy it. This is achieved through strict
enforcement and education of fish and wildlife related laws.
The total amount requested is $1600.00
3. The anticipated results of this purchase are: increasing efficiency in patrols of
Napa County, observing violations that might normally go unseen and reducing
the abuse of natural resources within the county. Utilization of this equipment
should immediately yield positive results.
4. Through routine patrol and implementation of planned enforcement details
throughout Napa County, the objective of protecting the resources by enforcing
the wildlife resource laws will be achieved.
5. The Goals of the Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Department of Fish
and Wildlife are the same. The approval of this grant proposal has a clear and
direct benefit towards achieving our common goals of conservation, propagation
and protection of fish and wildlife within Napa County.
6. The success of this purchase will be immediately apparent when the first violators
are observed with the help of this equipment. At this point, we know that the
equipment has enhanced our ability to effectively enforce fish and wildlife related
laws and regulations.
III. Attachments
1. (6) Moultrie M990i trail cameras; (6) SD memory cards
Amount Company
Address
Phone
$1600.00 Sweeney’s
1537 Imola Ave. West 707-255Sports
Napa, CA 94559
5544
Date
4/21/14
Total Requested Amount: $1600.00
2. The Napa County squad, like all squads within the Law Enforcement Division of
the Department of Fish and Wildlife, operates on an annual budget allocated from
our Sacramento headquarters. This budget is responsible funding of vehicle/skiff
fuel, vehicle/skiff maintenance, training, travel, office expenses, etc. Rarely do we
have enough funds in a single fiscal year to purchase extra equipment that would
effectively enhance our patrol capabilities.
3. Letters of support: none requested.
4. The Department of Fish and Wildlife, Napa Squad submitted a request in 2008 for
the purchase of a Honda ATV and Zieman Trailer. The request was approved and
the ATV and trailer have been in use ever since. We are now able to effectively
access rugged terrain (which accounts for much of the land we patrol) with safe,
reliable equipment. Violators that would have otherwise gone unchecked are now
subject to enforcement of all fish and wildlife laws.
In 2010, the commission approved a request for Swarovski Spotting Scopes for the
Napa Squad. These quality spotting scopes have been invaluable for patrol in
recent years. In wildlife law enforcement, the smallest details can make or break
an investigation. The clarity these scopes provide while observing hunters and
anglers has allowed us to make countless cases that would have not otherwise have
been made.
In 2013, the commission approved a request for two Hobie Mirage kayaks for the
Napa DFW Squad. The kayaks have been a great asset to the agency and to the
County of Napa, as they have allowed officers to effectively patrol areas that
previously did not receive enough attention, due to their accessibility. Several
resource cases have been made that were a direct result of the kayak patrols.
Agenda Item 5f Land Trust of Napa County of Napa Removal of invasive exotic plant species and restore native riparian habitat in the Linda Falls Permanent Preserve Napa County WCC
Riparian Habitat Restoration at Linda Falls Preserve
ATTACHMENTS
1. EXPENDITURE DETAIL / OTHER FUNDING SOURCES
Budget Category
LTNC Staff Time
Land Steward Manager
Lands Program Assistant
LTNC Staff Subtotal
Other
WCC
Proposed Funding
Funding Sources
Project
Budget
Notes
-
3,516
3,120
3,516 84 hours at $41.85/hr.
3,120 108 hours at $28.89/hr.
-
6,636
6,636
Contract Labor
American Conservation Experience
Supervisor
1,280
Crew-Member
4,800
Contract Labor Subtotal
6,080
-
1,280 80 hours at $16/hr.
4,800 80 hours at $12/hr.
6,080
Supplies
Oaktown Native Plant Nursery
Other Expenses
Supplies Subtotal
Total
Land Trust of Napa County
3,920
-
1,601
773
Field, seed and plant 1,878
5,521 native plant seedlings
Volunteer bathrooms, safety
gear and snacks; vehicle
fuel; additional planting
773 materials; etc.
3,920
2,374
6,294
$ 10,000
$ 9,010
$ 19,010
Page (1a)
Agenda Item 5g Napa County Resource Conservation District A2O (acorns to oaks) requests 5 student groups (up to 150 students) to participate in 2 environmental education field trips and 1 oak‐related in class presentation; planting acorns in at least 450 sites (90 sites per each of the 5 field trips), develop relationship with landowners to plant oaks, improve wildlife corridors, genetic corridors, develop in‐class oak exploration guide for use by teachers in Napa County Acorns to Oaks:
Partnerships for Restoring Native Oak Populations in Napa County
PROPOSAL APPLICATION
Submitted by:
Napa County Resource Conservation District
Prepared for:
April 28, 2014
I. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION/Eligibility
Organization Type:
Local government
Organization Purpose:
Provide technical assistance, education, outreach, and
conduct scientific research on natural resource issues.
Tax Exempt Status:
Tax exempt (#94-1569332)
Date Formed:
1945
Membership:
Not applicable
Board of Directors:
Clint Pridmore, Jim Lincoln, Jon Kanagy, Al Buckland, Beth
Painter, Rainer Hoenicke, Charles Slutzkin, Gretchen Stranzl
McCann
Contact person:
Frances Knapczyk, Stewardship Facilitator
Address:
1303 Jefferson Street, Suite 500B
City:
Napa
State:
CA
ZIP:
94559
Telephone:
(707) 252-4188 x 116
Fax:
(707) 252-4219
Email:
[email protected]
NCWCC 2014 Funding Request
2
NCRCD
II. NEEDS ASSESSMENT/Problem Statement
1. Statement of problem
The oak woodland ecosystem is a critical resource in Napa County. The oak woodland
community in Napa County is anchored by 20 Quercus species, and is dominated by valley oak,
coast live oak, interior live oak, blue oak, and black oak. Oak woodlands support the largest
biodiversity of any other plant community in the County. In California as a whole, oak
woodlands have been found to support more than 80 species of amphibians and reptiles, 60
mammal species, more than 100 species of birds, and as many as 5,000 insect species, including
over 200 species of cynipid wasps. Napa County's oaks have played an important cultural role as
well, providing food, shelter, shade and beauty to residents for thousands of years.
Throughout California, oak woodland and oak savannah habitats are shrinking at an alarming
rate due to development of landscape for urban and agricultural uses. Many of our remaining
oak stands are not generating enough seedlings to replace existing mature trees due to
compaction of surrounding land, deepening of water tables, and incision along stream channels.
As mature oak trees are cut down or die from natural causes, the spacing between individual
trees and stands of trees has increased considerable since the mid-1800s. As a result, exchange
of genetic material in oak tree species is compromised, resulting in less production of acorns and
less genetic diversity among acorns that are produced.
Of all the oak species that live in Napa County, the valley oak has experienced perhaps the
greatest decline because the species’ preferred habitat coincides with the flat, nutrient-rich valley
floor habitat that humans prefer for urban and agricultural development. The Napa Valley
Historical Ecology Atlas points out that the vast majority of the valley oaks, once the most
prominent feature of the Napa Valley landscape, have been removed over the past 200 years.
Most of the valley oaks that were removed since the early 1800s were cut down prior to 1942,
but the decline has continued to present day.
Fortunately, oaks still produce large numbers of acorns in our county, and establish successfully
when artificially propagated and planted by humans. Therefore, it is still possible for
communities to weave oaks back into the modern landscape. Historically, Napa Valley's oaks
were distributed in a complex pattern of widely spaced trees (oak savanna) and more dense
groves (oak woodland), which allowed for ecological linkages. Oak trees can be strategically
planted to reconnect existing stands of mature oaks, reestablishing both corridors for wildlife
movement and opportunities for cross-pollination.
In 2012, Napa County Resource Conservation District (RCD) and Friends of the Napa River
(FONR) launched the Acorns to Oaks (A2O) program as a way to encourage County citizens to
become active stewards of their oak woodlands. A2O was launch with funding from the Napa
County Wildlife Conservation Commission and FONR, and was funded by North Bay
Watershed Association and FONR during the 2013-14 school year. A20 brings youth groups,
landowners, and restoration ecologists together to enhance oak populations and community
awareness of this valuable natural resource. During the two school years that the program has
been offered, A2O has involved 600 Napa County youth in the 4th – 10th grades in the planting of
3
NCRCD
over 600 oak trees on seven different properties in Napa County. The program has focused on
restoring valley oak populations, since they are thought to have suffered the most from human
development in the County.
For the 2014-2015 school year, the RCD is seeking funds to continue to work with FONR to
offer A20 to at least five school groups. We will expand our re-oaking efforts to include other
oak species, including blue oak and black oak, as they are also critical to biodiversity in our
County and landowners have expressed interest in enhancing existing populations of these other
oak species. Additionally, we are excited to launch a new in-class component of the program
through which school groups can study acorn germination, seedling development, and perform
simple experiments to understand these life cycle processes. This new component will allow
continued exploration of oaks beyond the field trip time and one hour of in-class time with RCD
and FONR restoration experts.
2. Specific objective & specific dollar amount requested
A2O has three major objectives: 1) improve the wildlife habitat and ecological function of the
Napa Valley by increasing the number of oak trees; 2) educate landowners and children about
the plight and importance of our oak trees; and 3) give Napa County children hands-on learning
experiences that connect them with and enhance the local watershed. An additional goal of the
project during the 2014-15 school year is to develop an in-class component that provides
guidance to teachers for hands-on exploration and experimentation of acorn germination and oak
seedling development.
The RCD requests $10,450 from the Napa County Wildlife Conservation Commission to
support A2O in 2014-15.
3. Anticipated results, with time-line
Anticipated results:
• 5 student groups (up to 150 students) will participate in two environmental education
field trips and receive one oak-related in-class presentation
• Planting of viable acorns in at least 450 sites (90 sites per each of the up to five
properties participating in project) in strategic locations around the Napa Valley.
• Develop relationships with landowners to plant oaks on their property and improve oak
stewardship.
• Improved wildlife corridor connectivity as oaks grow and reach maturity.
• Improved genetic corridor connectivity for oaks
• Students’ knowledge of oaks will be reinforced by their presentation of an aspect of oak
ecology to their peers at Napa’s Earth Day festival and the Napa County Watershed
Symposium.
• Development of in-class oak exploration guide for use by teachers in Napa County.
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NCRCD
Timeline
• Identify participating landowners and student groups; June-August
• Present classroom lesson to each of five student groups: August - October
• Develop in-class oak germination exploration and experiment guide: August - October
• First field trip for each of five student groups: students will become familiar with site,
collect and plant acorns, and collect acorns for exploration/experimentation in their
classrooms: October - November
• Second field trip for each of five student groups: students will remove weeds and place
mulch around seedlings: April – May
• Follow up field visits with land managers to facilitate landowners’ monitoring of survival
and management of seedling health: April - May
• Post project information and photos on Friends of the Napa River, Napa County RCD
and WICC websites, and at the 2015 Napa Earth Day celebration and the 2015 Napa
County Watershed Symposium: April - June
4. Detailed description of methods planned to achieve objective
The first phase of A2O is outreach to identify landowners interested in adding oaks to their
properties and student groups interested in planting and providing initial care for oaks.
RCD and FONR will work together to identify strategic locations where re-oaking is feasible,
result in long-term stands of trees, and provide the greatest benefits to biodiversity. We will use
the Napa Valley Historical Ecology Atlas, as well as resources collected in developing the atlas
to pinpoint locations where oaks have been depleted but opportunities for planting exists. We
will coordinate with staff from the Napa County CDPD to ensure that our re-oaking effort is
consistent with guidelines of the Napa County Voluntary Oak Woodland Management Plan.
Once priority planting locations are identified, we will use the network of conservation
partnerships developed by the RCD, the Napa Sustainable Winegrowing Group, and the Napa
office of the USDA NRCS to find landowners and vineyard managers in those locations and
develop partnerships with landowners who are willing to allow kids to collect and plant oaks on
their property. Our goal will be to find acorn sources for planting sites on the same property or in
the same subwatershed as the planting sites. The landowner/managers must also agree to ensure
the success of the seedlings after planting. RCD and NRCS staff will conduct pre-project field
visits to candidate properties to determine if oaks are suitable for acorn collection, the sites are
suitable for planting and student access, and to develop site-specific revegetation plans that
incorporate other understory species to obtain maximum ecological functioning and resource
conservation.
Simultaneously, RCD will conduct outreach to identify school and/or community groups (e.g.
Boys Club/Girls Club, Scouts, after-school programs) that are interested in participating. Groups
must commit to attending two half-day field trips and receiving one in-class, hour-long
presentation. The field-trip program will be correlated with State curriculum.
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NCRCD
The second phase of A2O is implementation. In the fall, we will give presentations in the
classroom to introduce oak ecology, local historical ecology, landscape change, and restoration.
The lessons will meet the California State education curriculum standards for the grade of each
group. Each group will go on two field trips: an acorn collection/planting field trip in the fall and
an oak seedling maintenance field trip in spring. Field trips will result in creation of up to five
new oak woodlands/savannahs in strategic locations around the Napa Valley. The restoration
techniques carried out during the field trips will be closely supervised by RCD and FONR staff
as well as adult volunteers (maintaining 5:1 adult:student ratio during field trips).
During the fall field trip, acorns will be collected from at least ten different trees per site and
planted in at least 90 different sites on the same property. Before planting, sites will be cleared
of weeds and the ground at the planting sites will be shallowly tilled. Students will place acorns
in surface of tilled soil, protect acorn with staked tree protection tube, and cover the acorn in the
tube with a thin layer of soil. During the fall field trip, teachers will also be encouraged to
collect acorns for in-class exploration and experimentation during the winter months. RCD will
compile resources for such activities and share them with teachers. The guide will included
protocols for growing acorns in the classroom and experiments that students can perform with
acorns to study germination and seedling development.
During the spring field trip, students will hand weed up 3’ diameter circles around each of the
seedlings. To reduce future completion from weeds, students will spread a 3” layer of mulch
around base of seedling to cover the 3’ diameter circle. Seedlings will be flagged to facilitate
monitoring by land manager during the first summer. In most cases, acorns planted in fall do not
need supplemental water during the first summer; however, landowners will be encouraged to
monitor seedlings for drought stress.
The third phase of the project is monitoring project success. We will visit the planting sites in the
spring to measure success of the plantings. We will meet with landowners to ensure that they are
capable of tracking survival and managing weed suppression needs of the seedlings. We will
request that land managers report seedling survival to us every six months. We will also conduct
surveys of students, teachers, and landowners to evaluate the success of our outreach efforts. We
will work with teachers and land managers to mentor participating students in developing and
presenting lessons they learned through the project at Napa’s Earth Day celebration and the Napa
County Watershed Symposium. A summary of A2O accomplishments and evaluations will be
compiled in a report that will be made available to the public via websites and local
presentations.
5. Clear statement of benefit relative to the goals of the Commission
Improvement of wildlife habitat:
Immediate benefits include expansion of woodland and oak savannah habitat in areas of the
Napa Valley in which oaks are particularly lacking. Oaks provide food and habitat for hundreds
of bird, mammal, reptile and insect species. Planting bunch grasses and other beneficial
understory plants will improve the likelihood that the oaks will survive and provide additional
wildlife habitat value. Strategic "re-oaking" will provide wildlife corridors and help connect oaks
genetically to one another.
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NCRCD
Public education:
The Acorns to Oaks program will provide a priceless opportunity to teach children, teachers, and
land managers about the ecosystem that sustains us all. Specifically, the Acorns to Oaks program
is expected to promote greater understanding and awareness of oaks and their important role in
valley’s ecology. By interacting the RCD and USDA NRCS resource professionals, at least five
land managers will develop a better understanding of the oak resources on their properties, how
their resources relate to valley-wide conservation efforts, and how to protect and manage their
oak resources. By participating in the re-oaking process, up to 150 local children and their
teachers will develop a practical working knowledge of the importance of oaks, as well as an
appreciation for restoration efforts in the valley and beyond. The knowledge will be
disseminated beyond the schoolchildren, as they will be required to present their understanding
of oak ecology in a format of their choosing at Napa’s Earth Day celebration and the Napa
County Watershed Symposium. This program will emphasize how elements of a healthy
ecosystem may be woven into our modern developed landscape. We hope to create lifelong
stewards of the environment; planting the seeds for present and future conservation.
6. Describe how you intend to determine if the proposed activity is successful
Improvement of wildlife habitat:
Prior to planting, each group will measure plant diversity in their project area and map
distribution of native and non-native, invasive species. After planting, students will map oaks
seedlings. Oak seedling survival will be monitored monthly during the first year by land
manager, and reported to project staff.
Public education:
At the end of the second field trip, the watershed educators will conduct a review quiz-style
game, which reinforces the student's learning and allows us to assess how much the students
have learned. Additionally, the outreach piece that the students develop for Napa’s Earth Day
Celebration and the Napa County Watershed Symposium will allow us to evaluate how
successful we were at imparting knowledge about oaks. Teachers/group leaders will fill out a
questionnaire to determine whether the program was on-target and an efficient use of time.
Land managers will fill out a questionnaire to provide feedback to project staff regarding their
oak knowledge gained.
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NCRCD
III. ATTACHMENTS
1. Expenditure detail:
Budget: A2O 2014-2105
LABOR
Frances Knapczyk,
Stewardship
Facilitator,
Napa County RCD
Mike Forte,
Restoration
Coordinator,
Friends of the Napa
River
Chip Bouril, Soil
Conservationist,
USDA NRCS
Hourly Outreach to
Rate
landowners
and school
groups
$75
50
In-class
presentations
and guide
development
30
Field trip
planning &
facilitation
Total
hours
70
150
$11,250
$50
20
10
70
100
$5,000
$50
30
10
40
$2,000
LABOR TOTAL
EXPENSES
Planting supplies:
protection tubes,
stakes, mulch,
buckets, trowels,
soil, zip ties
Field trip busing
Substitute teachers
Field trip snack
Total $
$18,250
$1,000
$200 per trip, 10 trips
$100 per sub, 10 subs
$20 per trip, 10 trips
EXPENSE TOTAL
PROJECT TOTAL
$2,000
$1,000
$200
$4,200
$22,450
Napa RCD Stewardship Facilitator responsibilities:
1. Identify, conduct outreach to, and coordinate with landowners. 20 hours
• Perform outreach to landowners and managers regarding Acorn to Oaks;
• Conduct field visits to identify suitable sites for acorn collection and planting and
identify project participants (including acorn donors and properties on which seedling
planting may occur);
• Obtain landowner access agreements, as necessary;
• Coordinate with participating land managers to ensure success of seedlings.
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NCRCD
2. Coordinate with Natural Resources Conservation Division of Public Works to ensure that
Acorn to Oaks conforms to Oak Woodland Management Plan. 5 hours
3. Identify, conduct outreach to, and coordinate with student groups to participate in Acorn to
Oaks. Oversee communication with student group leaders related to identifying student
groups and scheduling presentations and field trips. 20 hours
4. Develop in-class exploration and experimentation guide regarding oak germination and
seedling growth. Share guide with teachers and facilitate their use through in-class visits as
requested. 30 hours
5. Participate in the coordination and delivery of ten field trips for the five student groups (i.e.,
2 field trips per student group). Each student group will participate in one field trip to collect
and propagate acorns and one field trip to suppress weeds around emergent seedlings. 70
hours
6. Communicate A2O progress and results to community members. 5 hours
Friends of the Napa River Restoration Coordinator responsibilities:
•
•
•
Assist RCD in field trip/oak restoration site selection and communication with
landowners regarding oak stewardship. 20 hours
Participate in the refinement of student curriculum for in-class presentations regarding oaks
and their importance in California’s history and ecosystem. Conduct five student group
presentations. 10 hours
Participate in the coordination and delivery of ten field trips for the five student (i.e., 2 field
trips per student group). Each student group will participate in one field trip to collect and
propagate acorns and one field trip to suppress weeds around emergent seedlings. For five of
the fieldtrips, serve as lead field trip facilitator. 70 hours
USDA NRCS staff responsibilities:
•
•
Outreach to landowners and managers regarding project, identify project participants in
desired sub-watersheds (including acorn donors and properties on which seedling
planting may occur), coordination with participating land managers to ensure success of
seedlings after planting, field visits with prospective land managers to determine if oaks
are suitable for collection, sites are suitable for planting, recommended densities of oak
planting (with NCRCD staff) – 30 hours
Assist facilitation of field trips (1 per student group), including demonstration of
restoration techniques (collection and planting) – 10 hours
2. List of other funding sources (i.e. matching funds)
Funding Sources
Friends of the Napa River (cash)
Friends of the Napa River (in-kind labor)
USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (in-kind labor)
Napa County Wildlife Conservation Commission (pending)
PROJECT TOTAL
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Amount
$5,000
$5,000
$2,000
$10,450
$22,450
NCRCD
3. Letters of support
See attached
4. Completion/progress report of projects completed over past 5 years with the use
of Fish & Wildlife Fine Monies.
See attached
In 2009, the Wildlife Commission provided funding to the RCD during the State’s bond freeze to
continue working on a fish barrier assessment project funded through the State Coastal
Conservancy. The outcome of these assessments was conceptual plans for the removal or
modification of the highest priority 20 fish passage barriers in the Napa River watershed.
In 2009, the WCC provided partial funding for a public education program focused on the Napa
River Fish Community. The program consisted of presentations to 14 classes of 4th-8th grade
students in Napa County about the Napa River fish community, and fieldtrips for 12 classes of
4th-8th grade students on a field tour of the Napa River rotary screw trap and including
transportation funding. Additionally, RCD staff lead 5 groups of stakeholder and community
members on a field tour of the Napa River rotary screw trap, and gave private tours to several
more interested stakeholders, and organized more than 10 public events that provided education
about the Napa River fish community and fish habitat protection in the watershed. Events
included: restoration work days, stewardship workshops, displays at Earth Day and Day at the
Farm, and the Salmon Run
In 2010, the Wildlife Commission provided RCD with funding to maintain and adaptively
manage the revegetation portion of the Scott Creek restoration project. This funding ensured that
the 1000 native plants became established along a channel in the Carneros Creek watershed that
was recontoured and planted in 2009. The establishment of native trees, shrubs, grasses, sedges,
and rushes along the channel prevented erosion and provide habitat for wildlife in the watershed.
In 2012, the Wildlife Commission provided partial funding to Friends of Napa River for the pilot
year of the Acorns to Oaks project, which resulted in Friends of Napa River and RCD in
facilitating the planting of 255 valley oak seedlings at five different properties with 280 school
children in Napa County.
In 2013, the Wildlife Commission provided partial funding to the Napa County Regional Park
and Open Space District to work with RCD to conduct 10 field trips to the Napa River Eco
Reserve and develop and disseminate a curriculum guide to the Eco Reserve. This project is still
in progress. To date, RCD has lead 4 field trips to the Eco Reserve and has developed two drafts
of the curriculum guide. RCD acquired an additional ~$4000 from the Napa Community
Foundation to pay for putting the guide on USB thumb drives and distributing them to Napa
County teachers.
10
NCRCD
Valley Oak High School
1600 Myrtle Ave
Napa CA 94558
707-253-3791
To whom it may concern,
The Acorns to Oaks program has been a blessing to my students at Valley Oak
High School. Our school has an environmental focus and this program lends itself to
so many amazing connections across the curriculum. We have participated for two
years now and I see so many benefits for my students. We get to have an expert
guest speaker come into the class and share information that is very relevant to
science we are learning in class as well as to our local area where we live. The best
part is we then get to take the kids out to see the science in action in the natural
setting. The kids get to be a part of the whole restoration process; they gathered
the acorns, we planted them at school and cared for them, then in the spring we got
to replant in the restoration site. Just being outside in nature is huge for my
students. Valley Oak is a continuation high school, many kids are very behind in
credits, some have special learning special learning need, some have behavior
struggles, and many just lack real life experiences. This project exposes them to
nature and to hands on science that is meaningful, they can watch it grow as I
watch their knowledge and interest grow.
Last year I had students create projects related to their experience with the
Acorn to Oaks project and it ended up being so amazing ! Most of the class wrote
children’s books about how Oak Trees help the environment, they are pricless ! The
best part was that we had the preschools that are close to our campus come over
and my students read their stories, we showed them the acorns and the trees we
grew, and my students did art with the preschoolers. It was the best thing I have
ever done with my students they were so cute and kind, these huge teenage tough
boys reading the books they wrote to these little kids. Many of my students even
translated their stories in Spanish on the spot for the preschoolers. Another group of
my students created a project about how Oak Trees build a sustainable community.
Maria Cisneros
Principal
Brian Marchus
Dean of Students
E. Amy Martenson
Counselor
With connection to the Acorn to Oaks project and other resources in the community
they got to speak with other adults about their project and they even learned how to
make acorn muffins which were a huge hit when they presented their project. This
group of students took their project to San Francisco State to compete in an event
called World Savvy Challenge. They were the only Continuation High School
competing at the event and they got second place. That experience was a life
changing event for my students. As teachers we need resources like the Acorns to
Oak project, we can do the rest to make learning come alive for our students.
Education is the key to many of our environmental problem we face and The Acorn
to Oaks Project is an excellent way to educate and protect our environment. I am so
thankful for this project and the caring knowledgeable adults who are bringing it to
our students.
Thank you, Julie Lovie
Science Teacher Valley Oak High School
Maria Cisneros
Principal
Brian Marchus
Dean of Students
E. Amy Martenson
Counselor
Friday, April 25, 2014
To Whom It May Concern,
I am a sixth grade teacher at Silverado Middle School and have participated in the
Acorns to Oaks program for the past two years. This has been a wonderful experience for
my students and for me as an educator. The program made an impact on my students
academically as they learned about the oaks in our environment and civically for doing
something to help our local community. Frances did an amazing job teaching my students
about the value and importance of the Valley Oak in the Napa Valley and for the health of
our environment not just locally, but globally. This program ties in perfectly with so many of
our California Science Standards, and will continue to support the new Next Gen Science
Standards that are in the works for being fully implemented in the next 2 years.
It is my hope that the Acorn to Oak will continue for the sake of our students and
our community, and it would be fantastic if the program could even expand to include more
students.
If you have any questions, I would be happy to communicate with you in support of this
vital resource for the children of Napa Valley.
Sincerely,
Brenda Collins
[email protected]

WCC Agenda May 19, 2014

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