fall 2009 conservation quarterly - yolo county resource conservation district

8/3/2019 Fall 2009 Conservation Quarterly - Yolo County Resource Conservation District

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RCDYolo County

Partners in conservation

In June, the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conser-vation District (YCFCWCD) was named the Cooperatorof the Year at the Yolo RCDs Annual Dinner. The YoloRCD recognized the organization for its eorts in habitatconservation and innovative water management. In recentyears, the YCFCWCD has partnered with the Yolo RCD onseveral projects related to watershed health, water quality,and habitat.

A brief water historyIn 1951, nearly a centuryaer local farming pioneers

began managing surfacewater, the State Legislatureestablished the YCFCWCD.The District service areacovers 196,000 acres of agland in the County. Origi-nally, Clear Lake suppliedmost of the Districts water,

but drought years duringthe 1960s and 1970s inter-rupted that supply, caus-ing farmers to rely moreheavily on groundwater. Inresponse, the YCFCWCDconstructed the IndianValley Dam and Reservoirin 1975, to provide anotherwater source for irrigation, and reduce the potential over-dra to the regions groundwater reserves.

A balancing act

The YCFCWCD balances the needs of Yolo Countys agri -culture and urban residents, with environmental steward-ship. The Districts interests touch on a variety of water-related issues; they monitor water quality and groundwater

recharge, prepare for ood and drought events, and man-age and maintain the irrigation delivery system for areafarmers. Additionally, they are commied to exploring theuse of native habitat along canal banks to decrease mainte-nance costs and improve wildlife habitat.

The YCFCWCD is also taking a leadership role in a pilotprogram (Flood SAFE Yolo) to minimize the risk from

ooding in western YoloCounty. The program con-siders community valueswhile enhancing watersupply, ecosystem integrity,and recreational opportuni-ties. In addition to work-ing on ood managementsolutions, a priority of the

jointly-funded $600,000 ef-fort is to develop a sustain-able funding mechanismto continue collaborative

eorts for ood manage-ment aer the 2-year pilotprogram ends.

The District is also veryaware of the balance be-tween surface water andground water. Surface wa-ter and ground water are

connected natural systems with complex relationships. Re-charge results from surface water (from irrigation, rainfall,rivers, and ponds) seeping into the aquifer. During a typi-cal irrigation season, the water released from Clear Lake

and Indian Valley Reservoir provides an estimated 50% ofthe countys groundwater recharge as it travels throughnatural waterways and the Districts earth-lined canals.

Conservation Quarterly

Volum e 12 Issue 3

Fall 2009

In This IssueCoop erato r of the Yea r: YCFCWCDExecutive Directors MessageFire and Grassland Ecology: Fanning the Flames for Conservation$5 Million in Conservation Funding for Yolo Ag ProducersNewPartnershipsforConservationEducationBenetCapayValleyStudents

Also inc luded : Annual Workshop Flyer! See p ag e 4

Cooperator of the Year: YCFCWCD

Story continues on page 5

Honorees (le to right) Tim OHalloran, Erik Vink, Jim Mayer, YCFCWCD acceptCooperator Award from Dan Efsea and Yolo RCD.


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Dans Message:Back to Work

In my Spring message, I notedthe grim eect that the Stateof Californias nancial crisiswas having on the Yolo CountyResource Conservation District.Many of our bond-funded proj-ects were suspended, and theState had not paid us for invoicesalmost a year old. Our cash reserves were so depleted that we couldnot pay our patient contractors and there was a real danger of having toclose our doors.

Now fast forward to Fall 2009. Our sta are scrambling to gear up fora busy planting season before the rains set in on a slew of new projects.The Yolo RCD has developed new partnerships and several new excit-ing projects. Although the State still owes us a considerable amount ofmoney, they have now paid many of the outstanding invoices, and we

have been able to reimburse our partners and slowly restart many of ourbond-funded projects. Although we all remain cautious about Califor-nias nancial situation, the Yolo RCD is gearing up for a reinvigoratedorganization in 2010.

On June 10th, we hosted our annual dinner. Even with the down econo-my, the dinner was our most successful ever, and I have been heartened

by the response of the community to our call for help. Approximately140 people aended and enjoyed local wine, food, music, and art. Theevening grossed about $5,000 in silent auction donations, food, andwine. We were able to provide scholarships for two local high schoolstudents to aend summer Range Camp. The evening brought out thedignitaries as we had representatives from all levels of local government

present, and a surprise appearance by the current Deputy Secretary ofAgriculture, Kathleen Merrigan that was arranged by long-time conser-vation cooperator Richard Rominger. The support demonstrated by themany growers and partner organizations that night provided a long-lasting boost to our stas morale that continued to sustain us through-out the summer.

In this issue, we highlight our Cooperator of the Year, the Yolo CountyFlood Control and Water Conservation District (YCFCWCD). Typically,we honor the conservation eorts of individual landowners, but thisyear is the rst that we honor an organization. We provide a glimpseinto some of their conservation eorts in this issue.

Finally, I wanted to point out the debut of the Yolo RCDs new logo inthis newsleer. While it still has a familiar feel of the old logo, its beenupdated and captures a slice of Yolo County in the background.

Daniel Efseaff

Executive Director

MISSION

The Yolo County Resource Conservation District (Yolo

RCD) commits to protect, improve, and sustain the natural

resources of Yolo County.

FUNCTION

Resource Conservations Districts were rst created as aresult of the Dust Bowl crisis. Originally focusing on

soil and water issues, the mission has broadened to include

sh and wildlife habitat restoration, farmland preserva-

tion, and control of invasive plant and animal species. The

Yolo RCD provides technical guidance, education, and

on-site expertise for private landowners and growers, cities,

schools, agencies, businesses, and research institutions.

CONSERVATIONQUARTERLY

The Conservation Quarterly is a publication of the Yolo

County Resource Conservation District, a governmental

subdivision of the State of California organized under Pub-

lic Resources Code Division 9.

BOARDOFDIRECTORS

Blair Voelz (Chairman), Garth Williams (Vice-Chairman)

David Gilmer, Ali Pahlavanian, Bob Milbrodt,

John Reyes, Gio Ferrendelli

ASSOCIATEDIRECTORS

Jim Mayer, Rudy Lucero, Rachael Long, Greg Giguiere

YOLORCDSTAFF

Dan Efseaff, Executive Director

Jeanette Wrysinski, Senior Program Manager

Sue McCloud, Financial Manager

Sheila Pratt, Administrative Assistant

John Reynolds, Revegetation SpecialistTanya Meyer, Vegetation Management Specialist

Diane Crumley, Education Coordinator

Heather Nichols-Crowell, Watershed Coordinator

Chris Robbins, Watershed Coordinator

Our projects reect a cooperative

effort with out partner agency, the

USDA Natural Resources Conserva-

tion Service (NRCS).

NRCSSTAFF

Phil Hogan, District Conservationist

Wendy Rash, Soil Conservationist

Ha Truong, Agricultural EngineerNick Gallagher, Rangeland Management Specialist

CONTACTUS

Yolo County Resource Conservation District

221 West Court Street, Suite 1

Woodland, CA 95695

Phone (530) 662-2037 ext.5

Fax (530) 662-4876

[email protected]

www.yolorcd.org

Cover photo of Fall-ripening grapes by Phil Hogan.

RCDYolo Co unty

Fa ll 2009


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Another long, dry wildre season in California fuelsheadlines about the dangers of wildres to peopleand property. However, the headlines oen overlook theecological benets of re. California Indians used res forthousands of years to shape the landscape and favor certainplants and game animals. Today, conservationists also use

re as an important tool that can tip the scales in favor ofnative plants. Many of our native plant spe-cies are well-adapted to re, and some evendepend on it as part of their life cycle. Con-trolled, well-timed prescribed burns canmimic natural re cycles, reduce fuel loads,and enhance the growth and abundance ofnative plants.

Recently, the Yolo RCD partnered with theWillow Oak Fire District to conduct a training

burn on County land northwest of Wood-land. The training burn provided an excellent

opportunity for reghters to sharpen theirwildland re-ghting skills while in a realisticseing. The training burn also beneted theongoing habitat restoration eorts initiated

by Yolo County Parks and Resources (YCPR).YCPR is transforming this former gravel-min-ing site into improved wildlife habitat.

We expect the re to temporarily reduce weedpressure, open up the ground cover to light,and release nutrients into the soil. Before the

non-native grasses and other weeds take hold again, wewill be working with the County to plant native grassesand woody plants, and will continue to monitor the newplants during the following couple of years until they

become established. The long-term goal is to develop nativeplants on the site to improve species diversity and habitat

for wild bird, mammal, and insect species.

Fire and Grassland Ecology: Fanning the Flames for Conserva tion

Fireghters from Willow Oak Fire District hone their skills using a hose during the controlled burnnorthwest of Woodland.

ConservationQuarterlyFall2009


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RCDYolo Co unty

February 17, 2010Wed. 6pm-7:15pm

Dunnigan Firehouse

29145 Main Street

Dunnigan

Introduction to Conservation EasementsDo you want to protect your farm or rangelands natural andagricultural resources from development? Judy Boshoven, from

the Yolo Land Trust, will answer your questions and discuss the

process of placing property into a conservation easement agree-

ment. Don Rust, County Planner, will discuss the agricultural miti-

gation ordinance. Held in cooperation with the Dunnigan Citizen

Advisory Committee

April 7, 2010

Wed. 9am-12pm

Bobcat Ranch

(west of) Winters

Rangeland Restoration TourDiscuss the challenges and successes of establishing native peren-

nial grasses, trees, shrubs and forbs on a working cattle ranch.

Workshop participants will view rangeland restoration project

sites on the Bobcat Ranch. Organized by the Audubon California

Landowner Stewardship Program.

March 31, 2010

Wed. 9am-11am

Woodland Community Center

2001 East Street

Woodland

Landscaping for Water ConservationDawn Calciano, Water Conservation Coordinator for the City of

Woodland, will join RCD staff for an informational workshop on

water saving practices, with emphasis on native and drought-tol-

erant plantings for home and gardens. (Free water-saving devices

offered to Woodland residents).

March 4, 2010

Wed. 9am-11:30am

Norton Hall70 Cottonwood Street

Woodland

Site Tour 1-3pm

Irrigation Water ManagementDo you want to improve the efciency of your irrigation system?

Would you like to reduce your systems energy costs or incorpo-

rate renewable energy sources? Discuss the latest technologies

and programs for installing efcient irrigation systems, monitor-

ing devices, pumps, and solar power systems. Site tour of Dixon

Ridge Farms innovative irrigation system to follow workshop.

Meetings partially supported by Audubons Landowner Stewardship Program, Cache Creek Conservancy, CA Wildlife Conserva

Board, CA Department of Conservation, CA Deparment of Water Resources, USDA NRCS, and the Yolo Land Trust.

Riparian Weed Control MethodsDo you want to deal with the weeds in your creek? Discuss and

observe the results of integrated riparian weed managementmethods with emphasis on controlling Tamarisk and Arundo and

other riparian weeds using herbicides and other methods. Held

in cooperation with the Cache Creek Conservancy.

April 21, 2010

Wed. 8:30am-12pm

Cache Creek Nature Preserve

Woodland

Yolo County Resource Conservation District

2010 Conservation Workshop Series

For more information, please call

Sheila Pratt at 530-662-2037, ext. 117


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ConservationQuarterlyFall2009continued from front page...

Aquifers are very ecient at water storage.Groundwater is not subject to water loss fromevaporation as surface bodies are. For example,relatively shallow Clear Lake can lose nearly halfof its water to evaporation each year. In addi-tion, researchers estimate that the storage capac-ity of the local aquifer is over 13 million acre-feet,which is over 10 times the size of Clear Lake.

Because aquifers are not visible, it is easy to over-look this valuable resource, but maintaining thesize and stability of the aquifer is crucial to boththe agricultural economy and urban communitieswithin our county.

Maintaining canals and wildlife habitatIn a typical year, the combined water storage inClear Lake and Indian Valley Reservoir allowfor sustained releases throughout the year thatprovide water for agriculture and sustain theriparian and aquatic habitat along Cache Creekabove Capay Dam. While the sustained ow is quite dif-

ferent from the ashier hydrology of the natural system,YCFCWCDs 160 miles of canals, creeks and sloughs pro-vide critical wildlife corridors between the Coast Rangeand the valley oor, and contribute to the regions plantand wildlife diversity.

The sustained ow also provides safe haven for weeds,and typical maintenance of the canals and berms involvesa cycle of spraying, sometimes up to ve times a year.The District is exploring the use of native plants alongthe canals to stabilize banks and also lter nutrients andsediment. Once established, native plantings will out-compete weeds (reducing herbicide use and labor costs),and reduce erosion (potentially reducing costs associatedwith cleaning out canals and rebuilding banks).

Revitalizing the University CanalA recent example of collaboration between the YCFCWCDand the Yolo RCD, involves a one-mile stretch of theUniversity Canal, east of County Road 95, near Glide

Ranch and the UC Davis Putah Creek Reserve. As part

of a CALFED Ecological Restoration Program grant, theproject widened the channel and opened up the slope ofthe banks, increasing the water ow capacity and bankstability. Yolo RCD crews planted sedges and rushes atthe waterline, which reduce water turbulence, erosionpotential, and improve the water ow. Other species wereplanted along the gradually sloped channel. The wider,more natural channel shape allows for beer conveyanceduring winter storm events, and the native shrubs andgrasses provide important wildlife cover and nesting sites.

The YCFCWCD also continues to be an active partner

in our regional collaborative eorts with the tri-countyCache Creek Watershed Forum and assists each year withour youth education outreach event, Cache Creek DiscoveryDay. Water conservation and management continue to

be a topic of concern and lively debate in our region andstate. Yolo County residents are fortunate to have a waterdistrict that consistently provides innovative and compe-tent leadership in response to ever-changing challenges.

Newly planted sedge line the water edge of the gradually sloping University Canal


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The suspension of State bond-funded projects in Decem-ber 2008 created many challenges, but also providedopportunities for creative new partnerships from withinour local community.

The Yolo RCD and Center for Land-Based LearningsSLEWS (Student & Landowner Education & WatershedStewardship) program was forced to cancel eld tripsfor Esparto students earlier this school year due to Stateprogram suspensions. When local Tribal members of theYocha Dehe Wintun Nation heard about this, they providedassistance. This spring, Yocha Dehe Academy students

joined with Esparto High School students to plant nativetrees, shrubs, and grasses to restore riparian habitat aroundthe Yocha Dehe Golf Course. Tribal Chairman MarshallMcKay commented, Learning is so important and werecognize that many of the best lessons are taught awayfrom the classroom..were happy we could nd a way topreserve this hands-on experience for these students.

A further example of the Tribes support for outdooreducation came this summer when they providedadditional funding for the Yolo RCDs watershed educationprogram. Yolo RCD and SLEWS sta developed a two-week curriculum specically designed for the YochaDehe Wintun Academy students. We used the schools

classroom garden, nearby orchards, ranches, and CacheCreek riparian corridor to provide hands-on lessons andart activities. We focused on native birds, pollinators,local wildlife, native plants, sustainable agricultureand recycling. The programs initial success provides agood foundation for developing new partnerships andopportunities for local students to learn science conceptsand participate in local stewardship eorts.

YoloCountyRCD/NRCSFieldOfce

221W.CourtStreet,Suite1

Woodland,CA95695

Findprojectprogressreports,events,links,andupdatedconservationarticlesontheYoloRCDwebsiteatwww.yolorcd.org

Nonprofit

U.S.PostagePaid

Woodland,CA95695

PermitNo.31

Woodland,CA Ifyouwouldliketoreceivethisnewsleerelectronicallyinsteadofbymail,[email protected].

New Partnerships for Conservation Education Benet Capay Valley Students

Students from Esparto High School and Yocha Dehe Wintun Academy plantednative trees as part of the Yolo RCD/SLEWS habitat restoration eld day thisspring in Capay Valley.

ConservationQuarterlyFall2009

fall 2009 conservation quarterly - yolo county resource conservation district

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