It is with some great pleasure that I record that the large marsh complex channel-clearing project for 2007 has been completed as of September 10, 2007. This project primarily consisted of the Lucich North and Frazer North tracts along the Natomas Cross Canal. The NBHCP requires that the Conservancy maintain the marsh channels. The channel-clearing was required after siltation and eutrafication began filling in the channels, reducing their functionality for giant garter snake use. The cleared channels now look spectacular, and Conservancy biologists have found that several giant garter snakes have re-entered the preserves soon after their staged completion throughout the summer.
They’re back!
We are so pleased to see one of the NBHCP’s “Covered Species,” the Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), back on Conservancy property! Going back 15 years, the owl used to be seen frequently on Conservancy mitigation lands. At the time, we documented too-common depredation of them by dogs from nearby residential… Continue Reading They’re back!