FRIENDS OF EDGEWOOD NATURAL PRESERVE
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FRIENDS OF EDGEWOOD NATURAL PRESERVE
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SPRING/SUMMER ACTIVITIES KICK INTO HIGH GEAR AT EDGEWOOD By Bill Korbholz As docent-led spring wildflower walks and school outreach projects wind down (June 17 is the last scheduled walk), our focus shifts to the “protect and preserve” aspects of our mission statement. Spring and summer are the most active months for weeding, and this year will see our greatest effort to date. Our weeding activities fall into 4 general categories:
SMCWMA IWMP The San Mateo County Weed Management Area (WMA) is a newly formed organization for managing weeds in our County. It is chaired by Gail Raabe, the County Agricultural Commissioner. The WMA received a grant of $15,074 from the State to implement an Integrated Weed Management Plan (IWMP). The IWMP must accomplish the following 3 objectives by June 30, 2002 ($1,507 was reserved for grant administration):
The WMA organization is responsible for objectives 2 and 3, while the Friends of Edgewood, CNPS, and SMC Parks & Recreation are responsible for objective 1. That means this year we will be removing YST from an additional 5 acres over and above the current 7 acres where it has been treated for the past 2 years. Much of this removal will be accomplished by mowing, which will require renting equipment and will consume most of the $6,000 allocated for this objective. However, CNPS and FoE are responsible for most of the hand removal and monitoring efforts. These efforts have already begun and will continue in earnest through August. Regularly Scheduled Weeding Our regular weeding outings that occur Friday mornings, Saturday mornings, and Wednesday afternoons support our responsibility to the IWMP. But they also go beyond, in that they address areas not covered by the IWMP. Vegetation Management Plan and NFWF Habitat Restoration SMC was granted $50,000 by the Parks Foundation to develop a County-wide Vegetation Management Plan. Rana Creek received the contract to develop the plan. Rana Creek is now in the process of gathering knowledge from other sources, largely volunteers, on the status of weeds in the County. Some members of FoE and CNPS will be assisting in this activity.
Something for Everyone These 4 areas of activities provide lots of opportunities for people to participate in different ways. There are already several dozen volunteers who regularly or occasionally help. More volunteers are needed primarily to help pull weeds, but as well, to assist in monitoring, photo-documenting, and record-keeping. Our corps of weed warriors has had a measurable positive impact on native habitats. You could be a part of the solution. To volunteer, contact Bill Korbholz or Ken Himes. Or check out our schedule on www.friendsofedgewood.org and just drop by. Reservations are not necessary, and there is no waiting! |
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The National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation (NFWF) has granted $70,000 through the San Mateo County Parks
Foundation for Edgewood Preserve Habitat Restoration. Specifically, the project
proposes to restore approximately 100 acres of grassland to arrest and reverse
the invasion of introduced annual grasses and other exotic species to encourage
native biodiversity and recover the Bay checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas
editha bayensis) and native plant populations. Dr. Stuart Weiss, a
well-known conservation biologist with considerable history studying this
species, has been contracted to head the project. Some members of Foe and CNPS
will be volunteering to assist Stuart.