A bobcat trips one of our ecotone camera traps

In the previous issue of Slough Buzz, we mentioned the innovative work by Reserve researchers to measure and map shifts in the Slough's ecotones—the abrupt transitional zones between different habitat types.

An important benefit of healthy ecotones is the variety of wildlife attracted to and supported by these areas. To document and characterize this diversity, a camera was placed in ecotones between salt marsh and upland habitat, capturing amazing photographs of animals visiting the site.

You can see more photos of the ecotone visitors, on our webpage about Wildlife at the Marsh-Upland Ecotone. And if you're interested in local wildlife, don't forget to check out the Elkhorn Slough Sightings blog, which highlights wildlife recently sighted in the reserve.

Last year's scholarship winners take to the Slough!

Last year, the Elkhorn Slough Foundation awarded the first scholarships to honor Les Strnad for his pioneering work in establishing the Reserve.

This year 10 young students from Salinas — who have never been to the slough — will be receiving this scholarship to the week-long Camp SEA Lab's "Elkhorn Slough & You!" program. Each student must submit an essay on why attending this program is important to them. We are so glad we can help Les carry on his passion for youth conservation education through this special scholarship program.

Watch future issues of Slough Buzz for updates about this year's scholarship winners and their experiences. Until then, learn more about Camp SEA Lab's "Elkhorn Slough & You!" Program and last year's scholarship winners.

Non-native invasive Arundo (Arundo donax)

Arundo (Arundo donax), also known as giant reed, is a fast-growing non-native invasive plant that spreads quickly along streams and waterways. Arundo forces out native reeds and plants, chokes waterways and harms fish and aquatic life. Since its root systems break up soil rather than holding it in place Arundo also contributes to erosion.

Because the bamboo-like plant grows so rapidly (up to a foot per month in the summer), it is often used in landscape design as a privacy screen. As an invasive plant it will take over causing the harmful environmental effects.

The Reserve and ESF stewardship team are fighting the spread of Arundo and other non-native invasives that threaten the health of the native ecosystems in Elkhorn Slough. In the course of a two-year project, ESF Land Steward Ken Collins went door-to-door through the community, visiting neighbors with Arundo on their properties, teaching them about the threats Arundo poses to the watershed, and offering to eradicate the plant free of charge.

Response from the community, both during and after the project, has been overwhelmingly positive. Arundo was removed from the properties of a dozen neighbors. To ensure the plant is completely eradicated from the spot can take up to two years.

We want to thank our watershed neighbors for joining us in this effort to remove these non-native plants that cause issues in our environment.

ESF Executive Director Mark Silberstein in Washington, D.C.

ESF's Executive Director, Mark Silberstein, has been honored as 2013 Wetlands Community Leader, receiving the prestigious National Wetlands Award from the Environmental Law Institute in Washington, D.C. The award recognizes Mark's contributions to the protection and restoration of the Elkhorn Slough watershed, and his commitment to sharing the value of our wetlands with the community — locally and globally.

"I'm deeply honored by this award," said Mark. "I've always viewed Elkhorn Slough as a window on the larger natural world and, through our work here, have learned how critical wetlands are to the functioning of both the natural and the human economy. To be included with national leaders in wetland conservation and research is very humbling and inspiring for a mud-lover like me."

Mark is also quick to point out that this was not a solitary endeavor. On behalf of Mark, and all of us on staff, thank you for making ESF's work possible!

Read more about the award and see photos from the ceremony on our website.

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