Daniel Nylen

dnylen@rcdsantacruz.org
Accelerated Recruitment Projects in the Santa Cruz Mountains

Abstract
The RCDSCC completed two “accelerated recruitment” projects in the Fall of 2025 in coastal stream systems in Santa Cruz County. This approach involves strategically felling trees in the riparian zone directly into the channel using manual hand falling techniques and is significantly cheaper and has a much smaller project impact footprint than engineered large wood projects yet can still be effective in terms of providing targeted ecosystem benefits. A secondary but important co-benefit was improving forest climate resilience, as felled trees were selected from overstocked stands of Redwoods, thereby allowing the dominant trees that remain more space to grow faster and larger.

The two streams where these projects were completed (San Vicente and Aptos Creeks) lack large wood and deep pools and have poor channel complexity and floodplain connectivity. The projects aimed to seed these systems with a significant amount of large wood to create more spatially complex channel morphology and restore habitat conditions benefiting several coho life stages. In total, 142 large (18-48” dbh) Redwoods were dropped over 2 miles of stream between the two projects. This poster will give an overview of the planning and implementation of these two projects, observations thus far, and lessons learned in planning and implementing this type of project.

Biography
Daniel Nylen leads the Watershed Restoration Program at the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County, working with public and private landowners to plan and implement effective watershed health programs to promote healthy ecosystems that are adaptable to climate change.

Lillian Amaral, Aaron Hébert, Anna McGarrigle

lamaral@openspaceauthority.org
American Badger Corridor Modeling Across Santa Clara Valley

Abstract
Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (OSA) extended Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's (Midpen) American badger corridor model into OSA's jurisdiction to refine a broader landscape linkage between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Diablo Range, and to understand how badgers move across the Santa Clara Valley. The need for this model was identified by the Santa Cruz Mountains Stewardship Network’s wildlife working group as its principal effort to study grassland connectivity and better coordinate regional stewardship of grassland. In addition to a regional corridor linkage design, OSA modeled two fine-scale scenarios in Coyote Valley. Both integrate permeability along a stretch of US Route 101 and account for badger culvert use tolerances, and one evaluates how corridors differ under habitat restoration Coyote Valley Conservation Program Area.

Using a Least-Cost Corridor approach, the corridors are driven by habitat suitability and cost surface sub-models. Results show broad connectivity in the Diablo Range. Certain forested areas east of Coyote Valley show less suitable habitat and constrained corridors. Corridors and habitat west of the Valley are limited as non-suitable habitat restricts potential movement pathways for badgers. Connection to the rest of the Santa Cruz Mountains is quite constrained. Cross-valley corridors show somewhat unlikely dispersal events that avoid development and utilize highway overcrossings. Habitat surrounding Pacheco Pass is extensive and shows why roadkill would be common in the area.

Biography
Lillian Amaral is the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technician for the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority. She previously interned with the GIS Program at Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, where she began working on regional wildlife corridor modeling before joining the Open Space Authority in 2025 to continue this work. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography, a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and a certificate in Climate Change Causes, Impacts, and Solutions from San Francisco State University. She also earned a GIS professional development certificate from the Institute of Geographic Information Science where she explored her interest in data-driven solutions to human-caused problems.

Aaron Hébert is the Natural Resources Manager for the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority. He is a Board member of the Muwekma Ohlone Preservation Foundation and serves on the Citizens’ Advisory Committee of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. He has worked at California State Parks, Sempervirens Fund, and the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District before joining the Open Space Authority in 2022. He studied Natural History and Literature at Bennington College and received his Master of Science degree in Environmental Management with a concentration in Ecology from University of San Francisco. His Master’s project, “Impacts to Anadromous Fish through Groundwater Extraction,” explored the relationship between groundwater management and groundwater dependent ecosystems.

Anna McGarrigle is the GIS Administrator at the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority.

Kayla Pearson & Alex Jones

kaylaannpearson19@gmail.com, asjones@ucsc.edu
Assessment of Ciccindela Ohlone Habitat and Translocation Success at Santa Cruz Gardens

Abstract
This thesis presentation synthesizes available Ohlone tiger beetle (Cicindela ohlone) population data and habitat parameter assessments from 2020-2023 to document past translocation events and determine whether they were successful. UC Santa Cruz Campus Natural Reserve Manager Alex Jones will report the 2025 population status of C. ohlone, discuss current observation field events, and recommend successful habitat management strategies.

Four translocation events were conducted from various sites in Santa Cruz County and delivered to Santa Cruz Gardens (SCG) for the federally endangered C. ohlone from 2020-2023. Various people monitored C. ohlone adults and larval burrows at SCG during this time period, including Alex Jones. Dr. Tara Cornelisse conducted vegetation assessments from 2020-2021 to determine habitat quality for the released individuals. I collected another round of vegetation data in Spring 2024 to compare results from 2021 to 2023. The data suggest that the translocation events allowed individuals to successfully reproduce at the site, and SCG provides suitable habitat for C. ohlone. However, adult numbers appear to suggest a decline in their populations, and long term monitoring must continue to determine whether the translocation events resulted in a self-sustaining population over time. Moreover, I suggest a continuation of the current habitat management regime, as well as improvements to data collection to better estimate C. ohlone population size.

Biography
Kayla Pearson is a recent UCSC graduate. She received her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies (ENVS) with a concentration in Conservation Science and Policy. Her interests include land stewardship, science communication, and insect conservation.

During her undergraduate career, Ms. Pearson pursued inspiring internships and research opportunities offered by the UCSC ENVS Department. She has completed fieldwork in the mountains of Big Sur, throughout Santa Cruz and Monterey County urban gardens, and across grasslands of the UCSC Campus Natural Reserve.

Ms. Pearson completed her senior thesis on Cicindela ohlone translocation success under the mentorship of Campus Natural Reserve Director, Alex Jones, and ENVS Professor Dr. Karen Holl. Post-grad, Ms. Pearson currently works for an environmental and civil engineering company addressing US Navy Superfund sites.

Alex Jones works as manager of the UC Santa Cruz (UCSC) Campus Natural Reserve (CNR), where he supports student and faculty involvement in education, research, and stewardship. He is a generalist naturalist with a background in environmental education, natural history, and conservation biology, earning a BA in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Cruz and a MS in Environmental Studies, Conservation Biology concentration, from Antioch University New England. As part of his work on the UCSC CNR, Mr. Jones coordinates management and carries out monitoring of Ohlone tiger beetle (OTB) as part of UCSC’s Ranch View Terrace Habitat Conservation Plan, and was involved with the OTB translocation events and continues to perform on-going monitoring at the translocation site.

Susie Petrie

spetrie@openspacetrust.org
Assessment-Ready Post-Wildfire Fuels Management Treatment Plot

Abstract
For the past 10+ years, extensive fuels management has been implemented along a frontage near the peak of Ben Lomond Mountain. As part of the fuels treatment, various datasets were collected with collaborators to track changes in characteristics. In 2020, the plots and surrounding area burned, and the effects of the fuels treatments are visually obvious. We're seeking collaborators to conduct follow up assessments and data analysis to capture the extent of the differences in the pre-treatment and control areas, with pre-treatment and pre-wildfire data available.

Biography
Susie Petrie is a Senior Stewardship Project Manager with Peninsula Open Space Trust. Her background is in natural resource management, including management of invasive species, protection of endangered species, and habitat restoration. She works with partners to collaboratively manage San Vicente Redwoods.

Blake Shaw & Claire Gregory

https://ucanr.edu/site/forest-research-and-outreach/post-fire-forest-resilience
Bridging Practice and Research in Post-fire Stewardship: Insights from a Collaborative Workshop with Land Managers

Abstract
As severe wildfire threatens the Santa Cruz Mountains, effective post-fire recovery increasingly depends on the integration of practitioner experience and scientific research. Land managers hold essential knowledge about ecosystem response and restoration strategies following the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex, but this experiential knowledge is underrepresented in research and management planning.

To help bridge this gap, we hosted a workshop that convened local land management practitioners from private and public industry to share on-the-ground perspectives and adaptive management practices for postfire recovery. Through facilitated dialogue and collaborative exercises, participants shared their lessons learned on the following key topics: post-fire fuel management, prescribed burns as a management tool, management of timber following fire, and management adaptations for a modified fire regime. The lessons learned through this workshop are being integrated into publicly available factsheets on the UCANR Post-Fire Forest Resilience Program website as part of a coast redwood-specific series. This poster presents the workshop’s key experiential findings from local practitioners on coast redwood post-fire recovery and strategies for forest resilience. By connecting the insights of land stewards with published research, this project aims to strengthen collective post-fire knowledge and guide evidence-informed approaches to post-fire recovery.

Biography
Blake Shaw is a Community Education Specialist with UCANR Cooperative Extension, where he is developing a series of post-fire forest management guidance resources based in science and industry expert knowledge for landowners and land managers with an emphasis on climate resilience and ecology. Over this past summer, he helped to establish monitoring plots for the SC Mountain Long-Term Forest Monitoring Project created by UC Cooperative Extension Forest Advisor Brian Woodward. Blake grew up in the Bay Area and is driven to help build climate resilience in the mountains where he spent his childhood.

Claire Gregory is a Community Education Specialist with UC ANR Cooperative Extension, where she focuses on synthesizing and delivering science-based guidance for landowners and land managers in coast redwood forests, with particular interest in post-fire ecology and developing climate resilience. This past summer, she led a crew to establish monitoring plots for the SC Mountain Long-Term Forest Monitoring Project created by her supervisor, Brian Woodward, UC Cooperative Extension Forest Advisor. Claire grew up in the Monterey Bay area and is inspired to help build resilience in her hometown.

Ben Teton, Talon Ecological, Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, Peninsula Open Space Trust, Santa Clara County Parks

https://scv-habitatagency.org/27/About-Us
Burrowing Owl Conservation and Recovery in Santa Clara County

Abstract
Since 2014 the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency has partnered with Talon Ecological to administer an ambitious conservation and recovery program for the western burrowing owl, a species that has been imperiled in Santa Clara County since the 1990s. This program contains a range of conservation initiatives including captive breeding, juvenile overwintering, habitat management, population stewardship and direct reintroduction. 2025 was the most successful year in the program’s history to date, with a breeding population of 142 adults producing 233 young across four recovery sites within Santa Clara County. This poster will provide an overview of the major program areas within the SCVHA’s Burrowing Owl Conservation and Recovery Program, and share insights derived from the program’s challenges and successes over the last 11 years.

Biography
Ben Teton is a Senior Wildlife Biologist with the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency, where he manages the Agency's Burrowing Owl Conservation and Recovery Program. He has been managing landscape scale wildlife conservation initiatives in California for over ten years.

Elliot Schoenig, Brian Todd, Patrick Lien, Jonathan Rose, Brian Halstead

eschoenig@usgs.gov
Effects of Maternal Size and Relative Mass on Fecundity and Reproductive Frequency in San Francisco Gartersnakes (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia)

Abstract
The San Francisco Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia) is a federally endangered species, restricted in range to the Santa Cruz Mountains and San Francisco Peninsula. Loss and degradation of its wetland habitat have fragmented populations and exacerbated the negative effects of invasive species and inbreeding in those that remain. Most extant populations are estimated to have fewer individuals than recovery plan goals and experience some level of inbreeding. Intervention involving the movement of individuals between populations to bolster genetic and demographic health has been previously suggested, but limited ecological information for this subspecies hinders such decisions. Using a portable ultrasound, we collected reproductive data from wild female San Francisco Gartersnakes at a site in southern San Mateo County, California, and compared them to morphological data to estimate size-based reproductive rates. We estimated that females reproduced three out of every four years and found litter sizes averaged 15.3 embryos (range 7–27). Among sexually mature females, longer snakes were more likely to be gravid than shorter snakes, and litter size increased with maternal body length. Gravid snakes were heavier for their length than non-gravid snakes, and litter size increased with relative mass of the mothers. Based on growth models, females that were approaching three years of age represented the first reproductive age class. These data underscore the value of older, larger snakes to population growth and inform potential reintroduction strategies for this endangered species. A collaborative headstarting project involving the San Francisco Zoo, National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and Midpeninsula Open Space District is now underway.

Biography
Elliot Schoenig is a Biologist with the Western Ecological Research Center under the United Sates Geological Survey (USGS). His professional experience focuses on the study and conservation of reptiles and amphibians, with an emphasis on California state and US federally listed species including San Francisco Gartersnakes, Giant Gartersnakes, Western Pond Turtles, Dixie Valley Toads, Western Spadefoot Toads, and Temblor Legless Lizards, among others. He manages USGS’ active projects focused on San Francisco Gartersnake conservation and has extensive experience studying this endangered snake across its remaining distribution.

Christal Niederer, Stuart B. Weiss, Ph.D., Marissa Kent, and Christopher Schwind

creeksidescience.com
Establishing Populations of Two Endangered Annual Forbs: San Mateo Thornmint and White-rayed Pentachaeta

Abstract
Two diminutive endangered annual species, San Mateo Thornmint (Acanthomintha duttoni, ACDU) and white-rayed pentachaeta (Pentachaeta bellidiflora, PEBE) illustrate key steps for recovery including funding, seed amplification, site selection, habitat treatments, and population monitoring.

ACDU, endemic to serpentine vertisol soils, was reduced to a single population of ~250 plants in Edgewood Natural Preserve by 2008, struggling among Italian ryegrass and thatch. Starting in 2010 (funded by USFWS, SFPUC, Friends of Edgewood, and San Mateo County Parks), field seeding produced more than 60,000 plants across six populations by 2023 Two poor years in 2024 and 2025 reduced numbers to 23,000. We are experimenting with graminicide to control encroaching ryegrass. We introduced ACDU to vertisol patches on Ring Mountain (Marin County), as a range extension/assisted migration. PEBE was reduced to a single known occurrence on several hectares of thin, rocky serpentine soils. With funding from USFWS Section 6 (via CDFW), Friends of Edgewood, and San Mateo County Parks, field seeding of 82,240 seeds at four sites produced 18.500 flowerheads in 2024. In 2025,108,000 seeds in new microsites produced 30,000 flowerheads. Self-seeding of the 2024 cohort increased flowerheads from 18,500 to 27,601 in 2025. One new site was deliberately placed near a trail and became the “talk of the spring” at Edgewood. We hope to extend the project to extinct sites in future years.

Biography
Christal Niederer (BS, San Francisco State University, Senior Biologist) has worked for Creekside Science since 2005. She has extensive experience in rare plant surveys and monitoring, and has led successful restoration projects with sensitive taxa including San Mateo thornmint, Metcalf Canyon jewelflower, Tiburon paintbrush, and Crystal Springs fountain thistle. She is also intensively involved in Bay checkerspot and Mission blue butterfly introductions. Many of her projects include invasive plant management.

Stuart B. Weiss (PhD, Stanford University Chief Scientist) has wide-ranging research expertise in conservation and population biology, habitat management, microclimatology, atmospheric nitrogen deposition, and GIS/statistical analysis. He creatively applies innovative science, turning it into conservation action. He is an author on more than 40 peer reviewed scientific papers, and numerous technical reports. He uses his expertise for conservation of imperiled butterflies and plants, and is a Science Advisor to the Bay Area Conservation Lands Network.

Marissa Kent (BS, Cal Poly, Staff Biologist) has experience working with a variety of listed plant species both in the field and in the nursery. She has also worked on multiple projects involving special status butterfly species including the Bay checkerspot, Mission blue, and Monarch butterfly. She has been with Creekside Science since 2016.

Chris Schwind (BS and MA, UC Santa Cruz Staff Biologist) came to Creekside Science at the beginning of 2017 after completing his masters in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UC Santa Cruz. His background is in the coevolution of insect-host plant interactions. He also has great deal of experience in science education. Since starting at Creekside Science, he has been working on monitoring nitrogen deposition, monarch overwintering site assessment, as well as plant and butterfly surveys in serpentine grasslands.

Beatrix Jiménez-Helsley

bjimenez@sempervirens.org
Filice Ponds Restoration Project

Abstract
Sempervirens Fund has completed Phase 1 (Feasibility Study) of a four-phase project focused on minimizing dam failure risk, managing invasive species, and optimizing freshwater habitat on the 320-acre Filice Ranch property. This property, owned and managed by Sempervirens Fund and Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), is part of the larger 8,532-acre San Vicente Redwoods, where Save the Redwoods League holds a conservation easement. When this project began in 2022, we aimed to: eliminate dam failure risk, eradicate two invasive animal species, maintain open water for habitat and firefighting, and introduce two sensitive animal species—the California red-legged frog and western pond turtle. During planning and pre-construction surveys, we discovered conflicts among objectives and realized some were not feasible at this time. This poster shares the complexity of pond restoration, how our project evolved over three years, lessons learned, and why feasibility assessments are critical for success.

Biography
Beatrix Jiménez-Helsley (she/her) serves as the Natural Resource Manager at Sempervirens Fund. Her role involves implementing and managing restoration projects, biological surveys, facilitating research access, and performing maintenance and stewardship work. She holds a B.A. in Biology with a minor in Earth Science from UC Santa Barbara.

Stuart B. Weiss, Christopher Schwind, Marissa Kent, Jimmy Quenelle, Christal Niederer

www.creeksidescience.com
Grassland Plant Biodiversity of the Santa Cruz Mountains

Abstract
California grasslands support high native biodiversity and pose vexing management challenges in the face of rapid environmental change. Here we present results from Rapid Assessment Plots (RAPs) in the Santa Cruz Mountains.At Edgewood in 2018 and 2019 (funded by Friends of Edgewood), we sampled 88 RAPs and documented 98 native and 48 exotic species. 76% of the plots were “native grassland” (>10% relative native cover). The paucity of “macroweeds” such as various thistles reflected decades of work by Edgewood Weed Warriors, but “microweeds” like exotic grasses (61% cover), exotic forbs (9%) and thatch (25%) remain abundant. In 2022 and 2023, we sampled 207 RAPs on MidPen lands from the warm east slope to the cool foggy coast, funded by a MidPen research grant. We found 113 native herbaceous species (11.3% mean cover including 3.6% native bunchgrasses) and 80 species of exotic grasses and forbs (57% cover). Thatch (15.7% cover) was ubiquitous. 60% of the plots were classified as native grassland. Across fencelines, grazed sites had greater native grass and forb cover, greater legume cover, and reduced thatch. Historical fire, grazing, and weed control at Russian Ridge produced native-rich sites. Sites with some shrubs had higher native richness and cover, suggesting that scrub encroachment will impact higher quality grasslands. We hope to extend the surveys to evaluate various management regimes.

Biography
Stuart B. Weiss (PhD, Stanford University, Chief Scientist) has wide-ranging research expertise in conservation and population biology, habitat management, microclimatology, atmospheric nitrogen deposition, and GIS/statistical analysis. He creatively applies innovative science, turning it into conservation action. He is an author on more than 40 peer reviewed scientific papers, and numerous technical reports. He uses his expertise for conservation of imperiled butterflies and plants, and is a Science Advisor to the Bay Area Conservation Lands Network.

Chris Schwind (BS and MA, UC Santa Cruz Staff Biologist) came to Creekside Science at the beginning of 2017 after completing his masters in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UC Santa Cruz. His background is in the coevolution of insect-host plant interactions. He also has great deal of experience in science education. Since starting at Creekside Science, he has been working on monitoring nitrogen deposition, monarch overwintering site assessment, as well as plant and butterfly surveys in serpentine grasslands.

Marissa Kent (BS, Cal Poly, Staff Biologist) has experience working with a variety of listed plant species both in the field and in the nursery. She has also worked on multiple projects involving special status butterfly species including the Bay checkerspot, Mission blue, and Monarch butterfly. She has been with Creekside Science since 2016.

James Quenelle (BA, UC Davis, Senior Biologist) has been with Creekside Science since 2008. He has worked in rare plant management and propagation, invasive species control, butterfly translocations and high elevation topoclimatic research. He runs the Brushfoot Conservation Nursery, producing high quality seeds of several imperiled plants. In addition to his conservation and restoration work, he has a background in outdoor education. He has also worked on and led National Park Service trail construction crews.

Christal Niederer (BS, San Francisco State University Senior Biologist) has worked for Creekside Science since 2005. She has extensive experience in rare plant surveys and monitoring, and has led successful restoration projects with sensitive taxa including San Mateo thornmint, Metcalf Canyon jewelflower, Tiburon paintbrush, and Crystal Springs fountain thistle. She is also intensively involved in Bay checkerspot and Mission blue butterfly introductions. Many of her projects include invasive plant management.

Jaime Yu & Sheena Sidhu

jaimeyu@stanford.edu
Informed Stewardship: Invasive Species Distribution & Risk Mapping

Abstract
Invasive species are a major threat to biodiversity and ecosystem health worldwide. Their management key to effective stewardship, particularly in small conservation areas on the wildland-urban interface such as 'Ootchatmin 'Ooyakma (Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, JRBP), the site of this study. While targeted removal can be effective, their success is greatly amplified by early detection through consistent monitoring. Traditional field surveys are often resource intensive to be done at suffient scale or frequency. Thus, we aim to improve the efficiency of invasive species surveys by integrating sparse field data with environmental and remove sensing data. Using Google Earth Engine, Random Forest (RF) and Maxent models were trained to (1) model the present spatial distribution of the aerially visible Centaurea solstitalis (Yellow Starthistle) and (2) assess the future invasion risk across JRBP. Models were also applied to Dipsacus fullonum (Teasel) and Genista monspessulana (French Broom). Both models showed strong predictive performance (>80%) for current species distribution using spectral or environmental variables. RF had slightly higher accuracy making it preferable for mapping current distribution whereas Maxent was more sensitive to species presence and is thus preferable for forecasting invasion risk. Overall this study demonstrates that integrating field data, remote sensing and machine learning offers a scalable, data-driven tool for invasive species monitoring that can enhance early detection and improve land stewardship.

Biography
Jaime Yu is a junior studying mechanical engineering at Stanford with a strong interest in environmental issues, particularly nature-based solutions for combating climate change. He is a docent at the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve and served as a Stewardship Intern in Summer 2025, where he worked on fuel and invasive species management through a mix of fieldwork and GIS. When not studying or conducting research, he is most likely in the workshop or frolicking in the mountains.

Victoria Phillips

victoria.phillips@cep.sccgov.org
Investigating the Effects of Prescribed Fire on Tick Abundance in Santa Clara County Grasslands

Abstract
In partnership with Santa Clara County Parks, we studied the effect of repeated burns, single burn, and no burn on grassland tick abundance and native plant communities. The results demonstrated that repeated burns did not reduce tick populations, potentially due to increase in native plant composition.

Biography
I've spent 9 years of my academic and professional career focused on county, regional, and statewide tick species and disease surveillance. I received my B.S. in Forestry and M.S. in Zoology form Southern Illinois University. I joined the Santa Clara County Mosquito and Vector Control 4 years ago as an ecologist and am currently working as a program manager.

Arianna Camponuri & Dan Sicular

acamponuri@openspace.org, dan@sicularconsulting.com
La Honda Forest Health Project Carbon Assessment

Abstract
To determine a baseline of existing carbon pools and inform future forest health treatments, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and Sicular Environmental Consulting conducted a comprehensive assessment of carbon sequestered across multiple forest strata in La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve. The assessment encompassed carbon stored in both above and below ground biomass, including standing live and dead trees, down and dead woody materials, live shrubs and other understory plants, forest floor materials, as well as mineral soil. Methodologies for data collection and analysis are shared to contribute to our collective understanding of carbon sequestration in redwood forests in the Santa Cruz Mountain region shaped by a history of 19th and 20th century logging practices.

Biography
Arianna (Ari) Camponuri is a forest ecologist at the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, specializing in landscape resilience, forest health, and climate change. Ari holds a B.S. in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management with a minor in Forestry and Natural Resources from the University of California, Berkeley and a Master of Forestry from Yale. Born and raised in the Bay Area, Ari is delighted to work on restoration projects in her home region and in her spare time enjoys trail running, all types of music, and great coffee.

Dan Sicular is the owner of Sicular Environmental Consulting. With a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of California, Berkeley, he has worked on conservation projects in the Santa Cruz Mountains for over 25 years, including redwood forest restoration and sustainable management at Sempervirens 236, San Vicente Redwoods, and the City of Santa Cruz Watershed Lands. He has been working with Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District on the La Honda Forest Health Project since 2019. Dan lives in Mendocino County on 20 acres of redwood forest, where he experiments with forest health treatments such as prescribed burning and restoration thinning. Dan also grows over 20 varieties of apples and brews his own cider.

Tarick Abu-Aly

tabu-aly@balancehydro.com
Modeling Pond Hydroperiod for Habitat Optimization in Stock Ponds in the Santa Cruz Mountains

Abstract
The Pond Inundation and Timing (Pond-IT) model is an open-source hydroperiod water balance model designed to optimize habitat for CRLF and other native species in stock ponds. Pond-IT infers a monthly balance between hydrologic fluxes of runoff, evapotranspiration, and groundwater, to develop a record of pond water-surface elevation over time. While this technique is not novel, most water-balance models require many years of monitoring data, which is expensive to acquire, especially in remote environments. In contrast, Pond-IT leverages increasingly available aerial and satellite imagery to collect model calibration data remotely, which is cost-effective and can span multiple decades. Pond-IT reconstructs historical water-surface elevations across a range of hydrologic conditions and can be extended into the future using climate change projection data. Development of a hydroperiod model requires only one field visit to obtain a bathymetric survey representing current conditions; the remaining model inputs rely upon free, publicly available datasets. Pond-IT has been used to evaluate and inform management of over 40 ponds within northern California.

One such pond is Purisima Pond within the Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. Purisima Pond was damaged in 2023 when high flows caused overtopping and erosion of the pond berm, resulting in degradation of CRLF habitat. Pond-IT was used to assess different pond repair and reconfiguration options to optimize habitat while also providing flood protection and climate change resilience.

Biography
Tarick is a principal engineer with Balance Hydrologics who leads their Greater Bay Area, Santa Cruz, and North Coast restoration planning, design, and implementation practice. He applies his diverse background in civil engineering, geomorphology, river hydraulics, and stream ecology to the design and implementation of multi-benefit environmental restoration projects in both urban and rural settings. His experience with a wide range of hydrologic and hydraulic modeling tools allows him to make informed, data-driven design decisions and demonstrate compliance with environmental permit requirements. Pond-IT is one such tool which he has successfully used to evaluate numerous stock ponds in rural areas to optimize habitat for California red-legged frog and other species.

Kate Miller, Matthew McKown Portia Halbert Karine Tokatlian, Beatrix Jiménez-Helsley, Ben Dudek, Anthony Castaños, Evan Cole

kate@conservationmetrics.com
Passive Acoustic Monitoring of Marbled Murrelets in the Santa Cruz Mountains

Abstract
The Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) is an elusive seabird that nests in coastal old-growth forests and is federally listed as threatened due to habitat loss and elevated predation. The Santa Cruz Mountains mark the southern limit of its breeding range and are therefore crucial for monitoring population status and distribution in a changing climate. Automated acoustic monitoring enables large-scale surveys of rare species like the Marbled Murrelet using passive sensors and machine-learning algorithms to detect vocalizations and quantify vocal activity for comparisons among sites and years. Conservation Metrics has analyzed recordings from throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains since 2010, in partnership with six organizations: California State Parks, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Sempervirens Fund, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, San Mateo County Parks, and Save the Redwoods League. In 2023, partners began integrating these independent datasets to create a unified, landscape-scale view of Marbled Murrelet activity. A key objective of these surveys is identifying sites with consistently high vocal activity that may indicate important nesting areas and guide conservation efforts. Sites along Pescadero Creek—near a historic nesting location—have shown the highest activity across multiple years. The network of organizations has documented activity from Opal Creek in the south to Pilarcitos Creek in the north, offering a broad regional perspective of the spatial and temporal patterns of Marbled Murrelet activity across the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Biography
Kate Miller is a data analyst at Conservation Metrics, where she has worked for three years. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Nevada, Reno. At Conservation Metrics, she contributes to a wide range of acoustic monitoring projects, including seabird assessments before and after rodent eradication on Pacific islands, processing of continental scale monitoring data from the North American Bat Monitoring Program, and long-term Marbled Murrelet monitoring in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Sandhana Siva, Tracey Anderes

sandhana.siva@sjsu.edu
Photoload Fuel Estimates for California Coastal Prairie

Abstract
The Coastal Prairies of California, known for their rich floristic diversity that was once dominated by perennial bunchgrass, are being rapidly altered through the introduction of invasive herbaceous species and encroachment of native shrubs like Coyote Brush (Baccharis pilularis) and Trailing Blackberry (Rubus ursinus). Prescribed fire is a key method used for coastal prairie restoration and fuel reduction in relation to fire management. However, many existing prescribed fire approaches do not account for the effects of fine fuels like herbs and grasses that are difficult to quantify. The USFS photoload method can be utilized by land managers to fill this gap. We created a coastal prairie photoload reference sheet by photographing and collecting shrubs, herbs, 1-hour, 10-hour, and 100-hour fuels in three sites with a total of sixteen plot points at Wilder Ranch State Park, in Felton, CA—characterized by a California Oatgrass (Danthonia californica) alliance as per CNPS classification–to measure the biomass of each. Our reference set can be used to estimate fuel loads at similar sites, and more will be added for wider application for conservation and land management purposes.

Biography
Tracey recently received her Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in ecology and evolution from San Jose State University. She is part of the Wilkin Fire Ecology Lab which studies how fire interacts with plants, plant communities and ecosystems. In her free time she enjoys gardening and hiking.

Sandhana is a sophomore at San José State University majoring in geography along with biology and a part of the Wilkin Fire Ecology Lab. She has huge interests in California botany and GIS with her favorite native plants being lupines, ceanothuses, manzanitas, and oaks. In her free time, she likes listening to Tamil music, walking on trails with her dogs, and spending time with her family.

Joe Issel, Jim Robins, Colleen McNally-Murphy

www.sanmateoRCD.org
Salmonid Tracking in Pescadero-Butano Watershed

Abstract
The Santa Cruz Mountains are home to the southernmost population of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), and steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), members of the Salmonid family. Anadromous salmonid recovery accelerated recently thanks to dozens of habitat enhancement projects in the Pescadero watershed, ranging from increasing streamflow, improving water quality, and restoring habitat. This created conditions for NOAA and CDFW to release coho salmon from the Captive Broodstock Recovery Hatchery at Kingfisher Flat into the Pescadero-Butano Creek watershed. In the past five years ~520, ready-to-spawn adult and ~10K juvenile coho salmon were released.

CDFW conducted a decade-long steelhead tracking program in Pescadero-Butano Marsh. To track progress of coho salmon and steelhead populations and learn about movement in the watershed, the hatchery fish have Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags implanted; many of the fish captured during surveys get tags implanted. Tags are invaluable for tracking movement within watersheds, between watersheds, and over time as juveniles return as adults to spawn. When fish swim past stations (PIT tag arrays), the antennas detect the unique identification number of each tag and record the location and direction of movement (e.g. upstream or downstream). This information is critical to understanding the trajectory of the population and the success of the releases, and it is invaluable to supporting natural resource managers who need to prioritize restoration actions.

Everything the RCD does is in partnership, but unfortunately the word count is too limited to list all partners and supporters who helped us in this effort.

Biography
Joe Issel, Director of Stewardship with the San Mate Resource Conservation District, works across the RCD's natural resource stewardship programs to ensure technical and operational excellence, integration of programs and services, and high-quality assistance to constituents and partners who request our help. His extensive experience developing, funding, and managing programs and projects, developing strong partnerships, and building organizational capacity was honed by a career in RCDs since 2006, first in Santa Cruz County and in San Mateo County since 2011. He holds a bachelor’s in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Cruz and an M.S. in Geographic Information Science from San Francisco State University. Joe spends much of his free time at his family’s property in Albion, where they are actively restoring their redwood forest.

Sophie Christel, Ianthe Jayasundera, Charlie Carmichael

schristel@openspace.org
Silicon Valley Meets Santa Cruz Mountains—Using a Novel Sensor Technology to Identify Variables Affecting Oak Tree Growth and Vigor at Long Ridge Open Space Preserve

Abstract
Conifer encroachment in oak woodlands threatens oak resilience to drought, fire, and other climate change stressors. At Long Ridge Open Space Preserve, fire suppression has allowed Douglas-fir to encroach on evergreen oak woodlands, and a phased removal of Douglas-firs is planned to start in 2027. This study seeks to quantify changes in oak tree vigor resulting from this treatment using data from a network of high precision sensors that measure tree trunk changes in 5-min intervals, as well as ambient microclimate variables hypothesized to impact tree growth.

This poster presents initial analysis of baseline data. Based on data quality and monthly tree growth, we defined the primary growth period for focused analysis as May-July. Using ANOVA we assessed the effects of slope (associated with water availability) and aspect (associated with sun exposure and temperature) on growth and determined that while both had a significant effect, the effect of slope was stronger. Finally, we used a power analysis with Cohen’s f to demonstrate that triple the number of sensors was needed to detect statistically significant differences with 80% power at a 5% significance level. The additional sensors were installed in June 2025. Next steps are to investigate variation in temperature, light exposure and humidity among the slope and aspect strata, along with interactions between temperature and humidity. Ultimately, this analysis will determine which variables have the most influence on tree growth under current conditions, and will provide a baseline for comparison post-removal of the conifers.

Biography
Sophie Christel is the Climate Change Specialist at the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, where she manages projects related to greenhouse gas reduction, climate resilience and adaptation, and carbon sequestration and storage. Sophie also co-chairs Midpen’s Native American Relations Team and is keenly interested in land stewardship that coordinates with local Native tribes, values Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and supports Tribes’ ability to be in relationship with their ancestral lands. Outside of work, Sophie paints, sings, and cultivates native plants in her garden, and an ever-evolving novel community of yeasts and bacteria in her sourdough starter.

Ianthe Jayasundera is a graduate student in the Master of Science in Environmental Management program at the University of San Francisco, where she focuses on data analysis and water-related environmental topics. She is also a full-time professional with experience in outdoor education and operational oversight as an Associate Governmental Program Analyst with California State Parks in Santa Cruz. Her background includes managing programs, supporting operational workflows and overseeing projects and contracts with stakeholders to strengthen organizational efficiency and public facing services. She holds bachelor's degrees in Environmental Studies and Fine Arts from the University of California, Santa Cruz and is expanding her expertise in environmental management through graduate coursework and applied projects. Outside of her professional and academic roles, Ianthe enjoys camping and hiking.

Charlie Carmichael is a second-year graduate student in the Master of Science in Environmental Management program at the University of San Francisco. He is working towards earning a GIS certificate while also taking courses to complete a concentration in ecology. Charlie earned his bachelor’s degree in biology at Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA. He was born and raised in Bellingham, Washington and has always been passionate about wildlife and exploring ecosystems. Post graduation, Charlie is looking to find a role where he can do conservation work whether that be in California or back in Washington.

Kiara Fufunan, Alandra Marie Lopez, Katie Ann Renee Huy, Scott Fendorf

kfufunan@stanford.edu
Soil Biogeochemical Response to Prescribed Fire in Chaparral at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve

Abstract
Climate change is expected to increase wildfire severity and intensity, impacting soil biogeochemical processes. Prescribed fires, such as pile burns, mitigate wildfire risks while producing similar changes within soil. While previous research has focused primarily on forest ecosystems, the effects of fire on soil nitrogen cycling in California chaparral, one of the state’s most extensive and ecologically significant vegetation types, remain understudied.

This study examined short-term changes in surface soil (0–2 cm) nitrogen cycling at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve 'Ootchamin 'Ooyakma (JRBP'O'O) following prescribed pile burns. I measured pre- and post-fire changes in ammonium, nitrate, and pH concentrations within 10 chaparral pile burn scars.

My results demonstrate that prescribed fire significantly influenced biogeochemical changes in surface chaparral soil, raising pH levels and altering ammonium and nitrate concentrations. Ammonium concentrations significantly increased in surface soil and ash immediately post-fire, peaking at 10 months post-fire before returning to near pre-fire levels after 1 year. In contrast, nitrate concentrations initially declined but peaked 1-year post-fire, suggesting increased microbial activity driven by increased soil moisture from rainfall.

These findings underscore the importance of continued nitrogen monitoring to support chaparral resilience and inform adaptive prescribed fire management. Understanding short-term nutrient cycling is critical for promoting long-term ecosystem recovery.

Biography
Kiara Fufunan (she/her) is a coterminal Master’s student in Earth Systems at Stanford University. She studies natural history and soil science, with a particular interest in how fire alters soil biogeochemistry. Originally from Chicago, Kiara discovered her passion for land stewardship while working as a Stewardship Intern at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, where she learned firsthand about resilience amid increasing wildfire severity. Beyond her academic work, Kiara serves as a Fellow for Community Outreach for Wildfire Resilience, developing resources to strengthen wildfire preparedness among Stanford residents, faculty, and staff. Outside the classroom, Kiara enjoys hiking, reading, and sewing her own clothes.

Jae Rendall, Ben Witzke, Jamie McNellis, Tiffany May, Mikaela Wiley, Matthew Weeks, Adrian Mutlow, Elliot Schoenig, Patrick Lien, Brian Halstead, Dustin Wood, Amy Vandergast, Jonathan Rose, Ariel Starr, Darren Fong, and Rochelle Stiles

rochelles@sfzoo.org
Stewardship in Action: Launching the First Head-start Program for Endangered San Francisco Gartersnakes

Abstract
The San Francisco Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia), one of North America’s most endangered snakes, survives today in fragmented wetland and upland habitats across San Mateo and northern Santa Cruz counties. To prevent extinction, San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey, National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, and Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, has launched the first head-start program for this species. Building on decades of collaborative work—from managing confiscated snakes in the 1990s to research in genetics, fecundity, and population modeling—the program reached a milestone in 2025 with the collection of gravid females and successful birth of neonates at the Zoo. These young snakes represent the first head-started cohort to be released at restored wetland sites within their historic range. This project exemplifies how long-term partnerships, applied science, and zoo-based conservation can integrate with regional stewardship to recover one of California’s most imperiled reptiles.

Biography
The San Francisco Zoo & Gardens Conservation Department focuses on science-driven recovery programs for native amphibians and reptiles across California. Founded in 2013, our team continues a legacy of more than three decades of zoo-based rearing and reintroduction work, integrating applied research, veterinary expertise, and partnerships across multiple agencies and organizations to support species at risk.

Jae Rendall joined the San Francisco Zoo's Conservation Department as a Conservation Intern in July 2025 after completing a Bachelor's in Zoology at Miami University and interning at the Wildlife World Zoo.

Matt Fogarty

matthew.fogarty@scv-habitatagency.org
Streamlined Small-Scale Pond Restoration Projects

Abstract
Cattle stock ponds can provide critical breeding habitat for the California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) and California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense), yet many in Santa Clara County are degraded and failing to support breeding due to short or non-existent hydroperiods. The Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency is advancing an innovative approach to restoring these vital habitat features by making use of expedited permitting pathways. By leveraging existing regulatory streamlining tools and the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan—the Habitat Agency has been able to expedite project delivery while maintaining high ecological standards. This poster highlights how these mechanisms reduce permitting complexity, shorten timelines, and lower costs for conservation practitioners. Early project examples demonstrate the feasibility of delivering cost-effective and functional habitat improvements at scale resulting in supporting listed species recovery.

Biography
Matt Fogarty is the Lead Conservation Biologist at the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency, where he supports implementation of the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan through biological monitoring, habitat restoration, and adaptive management. Matthew has led pond maintenance and restoration efforts across the Habitat Agency Reserve System. He works closely with agency partners, landowners, and regulatory agencies to deliver projects that balance species conservation with working landscapes. His work reflects a practical, science-based approach to long-term conservation outcomes. He holds a B.S. in Environmental Science, Remote Pilot Certificate, ISA Arborist Certification, and USFWS 10(a)(1)(a) permit for California red-legged frog.

Lisa Hunt, Sarah Doyle, Kristina Cervantes-Yoshida, Setenay Frucht

lisa.hunt@waterboards.ca.gov
Stream Surveys of Large Wood in Pescadero and Butano Watersheds

Abstract
High amounts of large wood pieces in streams provide many benefits, including development of pools for fish, refuge during high flows, cover from predators, sediment trapping, and bank stabilization. The Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for Sediment and Habitat Enhancement Plan for Pescadero-Butano Watershed established a large wood loading target of ≥300 m3/ha for redwood forest channels and ≥100 m3/ha hardwood forest channels. Baseline surveys were initiated in 2025 and will be completed in 2026. Nine of the 14 redwood reaches surveyed to date contain large wood amounts above the TMDL target. Large log jams were present in 8 of the 14 redwood reaches, and often accounted for much of the wood present in a given reach. To date, only two surveys have been completed in hardwood reaches, both above the TMDL target. Once all baseline surveys are completed, watershed-wide averages will be calculated and compared against the target. Multiple stream restoration projects have been implemented in fall of 2025 subsequent to survey completion, and additional restoration projects are planned for the next few years. Survey results will be used to track TMDL implementation progress, and to help identify potential locations where additional large wood placement or recruitment should be prioritized in the future.

Biography
Sarah Doyle, Scientific Aide, San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board
Sarah Doyle holds a degree in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Cruz, where her studies focused on riparian habitat restoration and microhabitat selection in California giant salamanders. Since undergrad, her work has involved surveying freshwater systems and a range of wildlife, including birds, small mammals, salmonids, and herpetofauna. Currently, she is a scientific aide at the Water Quality Control Board, where she is excited to be working with the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program team.

Kristina Yoshida, Environmental Scientist, San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board
Kristina Yoshida is an Environmental Scientist at the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board for the past ten years. She manages the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) where she develops water quality, habitat, tissue, and bioassessment monitoring projects. She received her PhD at UC Berkeley where she studied the ecology of freshwater fishes in Bay Area streams. She has previous experience as a researcher, naturalist, and science educator.

Lisa Hunt, PE, PhD, Water Resource Control Engineer, San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board
Lisa Hunt is an environmental engineer and aquatic ecologist with 28 years of experience working in water resources in California. Lisa currently focuses on developing riparian protection and climate resilience policy and guidance for streams and rivers in the San Francisco Bay area. Before coming to the Regional Board, Lisa worked for many years and consulting and nonprofit sectors. Lisa holds a BS from Cornell University in agricultural and biological engineering, an MS from UC Berkeley in environmental engineering, and a PhD from UC Berkeley in aquatic ecology.

Setenay Bozkurt Frucht, PE, Senior Water Resource Engineer, San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board
Setenay Bozkurt Frucht manages the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Program and directs the development of climate resilience policies that support long-term protection of San Francisco Bay’s water quality and beneficial uses. Setenay brings a multi-disciplinary background that integrates chemical and civil engineering, geomorphology, and environmental management. She has more than twenty five years of experience in water resources, applying technical analysis and project management to characterize watershed hydrology and geomorphology, develop conceptual and numerical models, support ecosystem restoration, and ensure environmental compliance. Her career includes extensive collaboration with stakeholders, technical consultants, regulated entities, and partner agencies to advance science-based water quality management. Her leadership reflects a commitment to data-driven decision-making, effective interagency collaboration, and science-informed policy that strengthens climate resilience and protects the ecological integrity of San Francisco Bay and its watersheds.

Ronald D. Taskey, Ph.D.

rtaskey@calpoly.edu
The Unusual Rock-Soil-Forest Complex on Ben Lomond Mountain, and Its Stewardship Significance

Abstract
In the Santa Cruz Mountains, Ben Lomand Mountain’s lower western slopes support complex and unusual geology-soil-forest relationships. Santa Cruz mudstone and Santa Margarita sandstone overlie much older quartz diorite, a granitic rock that originated in the southern Sierra Nevada. The mountain’s forest soils—including those formed from quartz diorite—classify as Mollisols, a soil order typically associated with grasslands. Sierran forest soils under similar soil-forming factors classify as Alfisols or Ultisols. While soils from Santa Cruz mudstone show weak clay mineral development, those from quartz diorite show strong montmorillonite with weaker kaolinite. In contrast, Sierran and other inland granitic bodies typically weather to kaolin clays—not to montmorillonite. Ben Lomand Mountain’s unusual geology-weathering-soil conditions have been largely unexplained. This study proposes that quartz-diorite minerals altered to montmorillonite by submarine weathering, which began before mountain uplift. This weathering regime produced clays having high nutrient- and water-holding capacities and different behavioral characteristics, all of which correlate with contrasting forest types, landslide events, and ecosystem burn severities, which are consequential characteristics in land stewardship assessments.

Biography
Univ. Montana: B.S. Forestry, M.S. Forestry (heavy-metal contamination of soils). Oregon State Univ.: Ph.D. Soil Science w/ geology & watershed minors (clay mineralogy of landslides). California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo: Professor Emeritus (soil science & geology teaching). USDA Forest Service: 15 seasons as forest soil scientist (technical services, burn area response, soil mapping). USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: 8 seasons soil mapping.

Manashi Paul, Philip Dutton, Mohammad Sohrabi, Payman Alemi, Aakash Prashar, Jacob Walker, Marshall Knox, Peter Houpt, Francisco Corella

https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights/water_issues/programs/supply-and-demand/index.html
Water Supply and Demand Modeling Framework for Effective Water Management in California

Abstract
Effective water management is critical in California, as the state has been experiencing prolonged extreme droughts following very wet years as well as increasing water demand. SWRCB oversees allocating surface water through California’s water rights priority system and water management in the state is challenged by the lack of watershed-specific water supply and demand data, which is critical during periods of shortage. To address this, SWRCB is developing a modeling framework for 17 California watersheds including three watersheds located in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties- Pescadero Creek, San Lorenzo River, and San Gregorio Creek. These watersheds were chosen due to their reliance on surface water and the presence of salmonid habitats and vital fisheries that can be impacted by low flows. The diversity of these watersheds provides a robust testing ground for refining modeling techniques and establishing protocols for stakeholder engagement. The overarching goal of this initiative is to improve transparency and accessibility of water availability and demand data. All models, datasets, and tools developed will be open source, enabling public access and empowering local water managers, stakeholders, and researchers to evaluate surface water conditions and explore management strategies. By using this integrated modeling framework, SWRCB is enhancing its capacity to make informed decisions during water shortages and fostering resilience in California’s water systems.

Biography
Philip Dutton is a Supervising Water Resource Control Engineer; Mohammad Sohrabi and, Payman Alemi are Senior Water Resource Engineer; Manashi Paul, Aakash Prashar and Jacob Walker are Water Resource Control Engineer; Marshall Knox and Peter Houpt are Environmental Scientist; Francisco Corella is an Engineering Geologist. We are working in Supply and Demand Assessment Unit of Water Rights Division at State Water Resources Control Board

Jorge Ramos, Tadashi Fukami, Elise DeBuysser, Brooke Fabricant, Katherine Glover, Steven Gomez, Trevor Hébert, Adriana I. Hernández, Sheena Sidhu

jorge.ramos@stanford.edu
Wildfire resilience initiatives at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve ('Ootchamin 'Ooyakma): Collaborative Outcomes in Research, Education, and Stewardship

Abstract
Many biological preserves face challenges from climate and land use changes, requiring collaborative stewardship for effective mitigation and adaptation. In 2022, Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve ('Ootchamin 'Ooyakma), which sits on the ancestral land of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, partnered with multiple community members to develop a new stewardship framework to achieve wildfire resilience. Phase 1 (2022-2023) centered on planning and preparation, resulting in a white paper with recommendations specific to the preserve. Local expertise guided the selection and assessment of treatment options in preview plots. Phase 2 (2023-2024) implemented fuel reduction treatments along preserve boundaries, creating shaded fuel breaks that maintained habitat value. Treatment methods varied by site, including hand treatment, mastication, and preparation for prescribed pile burning in chaparral areas. In Phase 3 (spring 2024), over 180 piles were burned in partnership with fire authorities and the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, who initiated the event with a ceremony and educational activities for Tribal members, faculty, and students, re-awakening and reconnecting traditions with the land. Researchers and classes leveraged this ecological disturbance for new studies and educational opportunities. Phase 4 (2025 and beyond) included a research convening showcasing unique findings from several research teams and will continue to expand research and educational programs. Insights from this three-year initiative are being synthesized, and a new initiative, Two-Eyed Seeing, is now being added to guide future stewardship, education, and research.

Biography
Dr. Jorge Ramos is the Executive Director of Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve ('Ootchamin 'Ooyakma), overseeing research, education, and stewardship. After earning his PhD focused on carbon cycling in wetland ecosystems, he worked at Conservation International, advancing community-based carbon projects with multiple conservation co-benefits globally. He has led initiatives to expand inclusion and retention in science and field-related careers, with leadership roles in Latino Outdoors, ESA SEEDS, SACNAS, the LTER network, and more. He received ESA’s Eugene P. Odum Award for Excellence in Ecology Education and was inducted as an Academy Fellow of the California Academy of Sciences, in recognition of two decades of innovative field and virtual research and educational experiences at field stations and preserves, as well as his work with historically marginalized communities.