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!
Big bird
Photo taken by Conservancy staff at a Conservancy preserve, 2025. With this article is a photo of a Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) in flight. It’s on one of the Conservancy’s marsh complexes. While the Conservancy has prepared the preserves mostly for the benefit of the Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsoni), …