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California Rangelands: Measuring Their Environmental Importance
October 16 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm PDT
California Rangelands: Measuring Their Environmental Importance
Wednesday, October 16th, 6 pm
Redding Library Community Room
Rangeland Monitoring Network: Measuring Soil, Plant, and Wildlife Habitat Health on California Rangelands
Alicia Herrera, an ecologist with Point Blue Conservation Science, will present a talk on Point Blue’s Rangeland Monitoring Network (RMN) which seeks to understand and measure the ecological function of rangelands and work cooperatively with land managers across California. Alicia will present results from RMN monitoring efforts and discuss principles and stewardship of soil, plant, and wildlife habitat health on rangelands.
“Globally rangelands account for 28% of global land cover and contain primarily grasslands shrubland, and savannah ecosystems, but also include desert, wetlands, and other types of woodland. In California alone rangelands cover approximately 57 million acres with Mediterranean-type grasslands, shrublands, and woodlands accounting for 30% of this estimate. Rangelands are typically found in semiarid and arid regions with relatively less productive soils and or on steep terrain where crop production has historically been restricted.” (From Point Blue website.) There is growing evidence that proper livestock grazing management and associated conservation practices, such as riparian restoration and silvopasture, can benefit native grasses and flowering vernal pool species, manage habitat for birds and wildlife, and maintain or improve soil fertility on rangelands.
Point Blue’s Rangeland Monitoring Network includes over 100 participating ranches across 28 counties in California, including Shasta. Point Blue’s team of Partner Biologists works with rangeland owners to collect standardized ecological data, evaluate the effects of grazing and other conservation practices, and provide information and recommendations to landowners to help guide decisions and enhance the ecological health of rangelands.
Alicia lives in Redding and primarily focuses her work within Shasta County. She serves on the board of directors of the Shasta Land Trust, is an excellent birder, and is a self-proclaimed plant geek.
SEA will be providing refreshments and will also give the latest on the Medicine Lake Highlands (Sattitl) National Monument Campaign, our successful candidates’ forum, potential cooperation with Project Learning Tree for tree planting at schools involving children, and the current state of the proposed new tree ordinance. We hope to have someone from the Pit River Tribe give a brief update on Medicine Lake (Sattitla).
