The Keepers of the Hall

Caring for Natural Resources and the Acterra Stewardship Program

Biodiversity in California

Over 1,800 rare animal species, more than 5,000 native plant species.

Extinction rate: 3rd highest in US. 135 imperiled species found in San Francisco

Bay Area. Primary threat: habitat alteration (Nature

Conservancy, 2003.

Invasive Species

Economic impacts > 137 billion / yr. (Wilson, 2004)

Ranked 2nd most severe threat to biodiversity in US today (TNC, 1996).

Outcompetition, habitat dominance and displacement of native species.

Alter ecosystem processes; fire, water cycles, and erosion.

Hybridize with native species and alteration of the gene pool.

Are any of these familiar?

The elephant in the Preserve

Stewardship

From Old English stigweard; the keeper of the hall.¹

“The concept of land as a resource, our responsibility to wisely manage that resource, and our responsibility to future generations for the condition of that resource when we leave it.” ²

Preserve, connect, protect, restore.

1. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/stewardship2. http://dnr.maryland.gov/criticalarea/glossary.html

Pearson-Arastradero Preserve

622 acres Palo Alto Foothills Owned by City of PA, Environmental

Stewardship by Acterra. Free, open 365 days, allows biking, hiking,

fishing, horseback riding, nature study. 3 primary habitat types.

Oak Woodland

Plant Species 5 oak species California bay laurel Herbacious native and

non-native understory

Animal Species Acorn Woodpecker Garter Snake Bobcat

Importance of Oaks

1. Support vast amounts of biodiversity.• 300 terrestrial vertebrate species • 1,100 vascular plants• 370 fungal species• 5,000 arthropod species

2. Promote watershed health.• Regulate water flow• Protect soils from erosion• Maintain water quality

This slide and the next are courtesy of Lynne Trulio’s ENVS 191 class, SJSU, Spring, 2008.

Valley Oak (Quercus lobata)

•Deciduous•Trunk: dull brown bark, thick, deep creases.•Leaves: deep lobes, faded green, velvety texture

(http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://lh3.google.com/ (http://bss.sfsu.edu/holzman/courses/Fall02%20projects/valley_oak.html)

Riparian and Ponds

Plant Species Willows Cattails Invasive and native

herbaceous understory

Animal Species Herons and egrets Dusky footed woodrat Pacific tree frog

Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum)

Introduced from Europe as an ornamental, now found in 46 of the contiguous states.

Produces between 5,000 and Produces between 5,000 and 38,000 seeds per plant.38,000 seeds per plant.

Can grow from 3-10 feet in one year.

Oak Savannah

Plant Species Native tarweeds and

willow-herb. Isolated oaks Wildflowers Invasive and native

grasses

Animal Species Coyote Western Rattlesnake Pacific Black-tailed deer

Purple Needlegrass (Nasella pulchra)

Most native California grasses grow in a bunch pattern that provides higher habitat value in the form of forage, nesting, and travel lanes.

Many native grasses are perennial. Green all year, they provide defensible space against wildfires.

Do you know your natives?

What we do – Acterra’s Stewardship Program

At Pearson-Arastradero Preserve

Invasive weed management

Interpretive hikes Seed collection Watershed-specific

outplanting Research & information

sharing

At other sites Native Plant Nursery Restoration Database Fundraising, community

relationships and logistics.

Young Earth Stewards

Volunteers!

Backbone of Acterra’s Stewardship Program at Pearson-Arastradero Preserve.

Community service, interns, corporations, individuals.

Adopt-a-plot, workdays, weed warriors, logistics.

Avg. 750 people/yr with 4,000 hours donated!

What you can do

WEED ABATEMENT Contact city and county governments and transportation

agencies and ask them to control weeds like Dittrichia and Italian Thistle on rights-of-way, roadside areas, and public lands.

NATIVE PLANTS Advocate and practice the use of native plants for landscaping

where you live, play, work, shop, visit, and recreate.

RECREATE RESPONSIBLY Stay on trails! Learn about native ecosystems and the dangers

to them. Don't be a weed-seed or Sudden Oak Death source; clean boots, clothes, pets, tires, and vehicles whenever you go from one park or preserve to another. Leave no trace! This includes microtrash (i.e. orange peels) as well as garbage.

Wait, there’s more!

CARBON REDUCTION Carpool, bike ride, and take public transportation whenever

possible. Purchase carbon credits when you can't. Buy local foods and products. Visit www.acterra.org for more ideas.

VOLUNTEER AND DONATE! Participate in habitat restoration, trail maintenance, bird-box

monitoring, weed eradication, and public education and outreach. If you don't have time to volunteer, make a donation to your favorite park or preserve on a regular basis.

HABITAT RESTORATION Acterra hosts habitat restoration events every second and fourth

Saturday from 9-1, as well as Wednesday evenings from 6-8 PM. For information on what to wear, what to bring with you, and directions to the Preserve please see: http://www.acterra.org/arastradero/volunteer.html.

We are the keepers of the hall

Contact

Miriam Sachs Martín, Chief Preserve Steward. arastradero@acterra.org / (408)597-7830.

www.Acterra.org

3921 East Bayshore RoadPalo Alto CA 94303-4303USA.

650-962-9876 (Front Desk).