These three photos represent the setting the Conservancy attempts to achieve in much of its managed marsh complexes. The land was purchased, then it was modified by moving soil so as to mimic preferred habitat, then water courses of various types and functions were cut and shaped, and water control structures set in place. Then plants are set in the bankside and near bankside (especially those plants we call “macrophytes”), and then…add and maintain water.
Note the various tiers of plants in the photos. In the foreground on two of the photos there is the grassy bankside vegetation, then some rush, then tule, and then in the far background, trees. Giant garter snakes (Thamnophis gigas) select tree frogs as priority prey, and we’ve found a diversity of micro-environments known to produce and maintain preferred prey populations is far better than a monoculture for at least that reason.
You may have wondered, “what are they trying to achieve?” Well, for the aquatic species on the NBHCP’s “Covered Species” list, this is as close to ideal as is reasonable to expect.
Photos taken by Conservancy staff on Conservancy preserves, 2025.
Hope you enjoy these photos not only because of their beauty, but mostly for their functionality!
