I can’t get over the photo (see here) of the subsoil on the Conservancy’s Betts tract. I’d heard for 20 or more years about the “hardpan” that existed under much of the Natomas Basin’s top soil. Until you see it, it’s difficult to imagine. Once you do see it, like in this photo, you can really see what is meant by hardpan. This impacts the ability to grow crops (deep rooted crops, no; but for rice it is perfect). It also determines the ability to sustain a good managed marsh for the Conservancy’s giant garter snake and Western pond turtle. Like they say in the farming community: it holds water like a bath tub!
One Against Many?
The Conservancy uses a variety of tools to manage vegetation on its preserves, guided by a strategy known as “the soft path first.” One of those tools is grazing. Over the years, the Conservancy has used large grazing animals to manage marsh and adjacent upland vegetation, including Hereford, Black Angus, …