The well at Lucich North fried itself. After asking our field services people to freshen up the marshes at Lucich North, I was aware we didn’t have surface water available, since the Natomas Water Company has shut down water service for the winter. I knew we’d need to use the well on site, and that the well hadn’t been used extensively after getting renovated. We turned the well pump on for night time service, since PG&E rates are lower at night. Upon arrival in the morning, the pump had siezed up. We believe the cause for the damage is mud from yellow jacket nests way up inside the motor housing. This will cost $5,000 to $6,000 to replace.
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, …