Executive Director’s Blog
News and updates on the Conservancy
The Latest at the conservancy

October 20, 2023
The Hoot of Success
The Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) is one of the HCPs’ “Covered Species.” And, we on the Conservancy staff freely admit, it’s a favorite. The reason is simple: these birds are so gregarious and fun to watch, they are irresistible. Some 20 years or so ago, the Conservancy, working in cooperation…

October 10, 2023
That sweet smell.
It’s a great time of the year when rice harvest begins. One of our favorite parts of harvest is the aroma of a freshly-harvested rice field. Maybe it has something to do with the bran or bran oil…

August 23, 2023
Prey production
The Conservancy has redoubled efforts to use mitigation lands for prey production purposes. A big component of that is an effort to enhance small rodent populations at strategic locations. These small rodents are favored prey of raptors, and…

July 19, 2023
Button, Button, Who Has the Button?
Okay, so some call it button bush (Cephalanthus occidentalis). We call it button-willow. It’s a favorite among the staff here at the Conservancy. It’s easy to see why. One of the reasons is that large insects are attracted…
“In essence, the Conservancy provides refuge and sanctuary for wildlife displaced by urban activity in the Natomas Basin.”