The Conservancy spent the bulk of its time at the September 15 meeting in Windsor, Sonoma County, discussing the proposed Hearst Ranch Conservation Project. Among other projects approved at the meeting are the following:

Napa River Restoration

Streambank erosion is sweeping some of the most valuable farmland in the world down the Napa River, degrading instream habitat for steelhead, salmon, and the endangered California freshwater shrimp. To reduce the erosion, the Conservancy granted $279,000 to the Napa Resource Conservation District to prepare engineering designs and permit applications for the restoration of a four-and-a-half-mile-long section of the river east of the town of Rutherford.

The Napa River has been confined to a single channel along much of its length and during winter storms water in the channel runs so quickly that it carves away the streambank. The goal of the restoration effort is to recreate floodplains that can dissipate the river’s energy during high flows. In addition, invasive plants will be removed from the stream banks and replaced with native vegetation. Nearby vineyards will benefit from this aspect of the project because invasive plants can harbor disease-carrying insects.

Local landowners have been trying to control erosion along this stretch of the river. The Rutherford Dust Society, a nonprofit organization of vintners and growers, has been working to keep the soil where it belongs—on the banks, and out of the stream. The Society has contributed $60,000 for preliminary plans for the restoration. Once the plans are complete, the District will use $260,000 in county funds to shape the floodplain.

Bear Mountain Saved

A chunk of wilderness rising just northeast of Santa Rosa is being protected through an acquisition funded partly by the Conservancy. The Bear Mountain property is 960 acres of rolling meadows and forest, with vernal pools, creeks, and wildlife, including bobcats, mule deer, a mountain lion, and, yes, black bear.

The Conservancy approved $1 million to the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District to acquire 242 acres of the property and $200,000 for planning. Purchase of the remaining 718 acres will be paid for by a county sales tax.

The acquisition was given high priority by the Conservancy because of the property’s rich natural resources and because up to 30 homes could have been built on the land; after the acquisition, just two will be allowed.

Bear Mountain is not only important wildlife habitat, it’s also a great place to relax. From the higher elevations, one gets a view stretching from the coastal hills to the Mayacamas Mountains.

Los Angeles River Park Funds

The monumental effort to create a string of public parks along the Los Angeles River is a step closer to realization. The Conservancy will disburse $1.9 million to California State Parks for planning the Taylor Yard and Cornfield State Parks along the river near downtown Los Angeles. The two abandoned industrial sites will be transformed into large parks, with active recreational facilities and habitat for plants, birds, and other wildlife.

Malibu Steelhead Habitat to Grow

Steelhead trout in Malibu Creek will get another two miles of spawning and rearing habitat. The Malibu Coastal Land Conservancy will replace an at-grade road crossing with a 130-foot bridge, effectively removing the only barrier to steelhead passage on Lower Malibu Creek. The Coastal Conservancy approved $900,000 for the project. The Malibu group will contribute $375,000.

Filling Gaps in the Bay Trail

The 400-mile Bay Trail will be several steps closer to completion thanks to a $3.8 million block grant from the Conservancy to the Association of Bay Area Governments and the nonprofit Bay Trail Project. The funds will be used to build sections of the trail where preliminary studies and planning has already been done, and to proceed with planning other sections of the trail. Since 2000, over 12 miles of trail have built with Conservancy funding and are now being used by hikers, bikers, wheelchair riders, and joggers.

Protecting the Ventura Hills

The Conservancy approved $200,000 to the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy to plan for the acquisition and management of open space in the Ventura Hills, which links the upper Ventura River watershed and the Santa Clara River. Development pressures are strong on this land, which is currently used for cattle grazing and oil extraction.

The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy formed in 2003 to protect 50,000 acres of undeveloped ranchland north of the City of Ventura. It will use the money to appraise key properties in the area and assess their biological values, then to put together acquisition and stewardship plans. The land is home to a variety of native plants and wildlife, including lemonade berry, wild cucumber, songbirds, and raptors.

Point Cabrillo Lighthouse Fix-Up

The Point Cabrillo Light Keepers Association will be using just over $2.1 million in Conservancy funds to continue the restoration of the historic light station near the town of Mendocino. The next tasks on the association’s to-do list include restoring existing buildings for use as an inn and a museum. The Conservancy has been involved in Point Cabrillo since 1988, and has spent $7.2 million to acquire the property.