• Nov. 22: Stream Restoration Workday 

The Wildlands Conservancy is hosting a free Shaded Fuel Break Workshop Saturday, November 1st, for land owners and land managers. 

The workshop will include a tour of a 20-acre Shaded Fuel Break where folks will learn about:

• How Shaded Fuel Breaks can help reduce fuel loads 
• How to plan and implement a Shaded Fuel Break
• Various methods used to establish a Shaded Fuel Break 
• How local agencies and organizations can help you plan, cost-share, and implement your Shaded Fuel Break

Space is limited, to sign up contact Wildlands Ranger, Zach Anaya at:

zach.a@twc-ca.org

Hawk Hikes: Sept. 27th & Oct. 11th.  Join members of the Jenner Headlands Raptor Migration Project as we explore and observe the many species of hawks and other raptors that take flight during their annual Fall migration. Fall is the best time to see many different species of raptors rising high above the coastal grasslands of the Preserve as they catch updrafts and swirl around together, and at times, conduct incredible feats of aerial acrobatics. Click here to sign up.

November 8th: Redwoods, Rivers, and Coastal Prairies.  Come out and hike with us as we explore redwood groves, rivers and creeks, and coastal prairie grasslands on the Jenner Headlands.  Along the way we will discuss the natural history and ecology of these three diverse habitats and talk about how we are diligently working to bring back the big trees, restore native fisheries, and maintain the incredible habitat diversity found in coastal prairie grasslands.  During the hike we will talk about ecologically-based management practices that are the key to our restoration activities. Click here to sign up.

Workday: November 22nd.  Please join us for a planting work party at the Jenner Headlands' Russian Gulch. Russian Gulch supports federally threatened steelhead trout and historically, supported coho salmon. Help us revegetate Russian Gulch to improve habitat conditions for both salmon and steelhead. Click here to sign up.

Most folks have heard about how songbirds and other birds such as geese and ducks migrate every year, but did you know that some hawks, falcons and other birds of prey (collectively known as raptors) migrate as well?  Well they do, and fall is the time of year when this "Migration Sensation" occurs.  During the migration many different species of raptors can be seen together rising high above the coastal grasslands of the Preserve as they catch updrafts of air currents and swirl around together in what's known as a "kettle." On a yearly basis our team of volunteers with the Jenner Headlands Raptor Migration Project, led by Larry Broderick, compiles data on all raptor species, studies raptor interaction with other raptors, and records hunting success and territorial battles.  This data, along with information collected at Marin County's Hawk Hill, provides us with a more in-depth understand how raptors move along the coast and helps us better manage these habitats for ecosystem health. To see a peregrine falcon soaring high above over head, and then plunge into a high speed dive that can reach speeds of close to 200 mph is truly a sensational sight!  If you are interested in experiencing this once a year Migration Sensation, click here to sign up for one of our Hawk Hikes.

As the massive King Fire (over 100,000 acres) rages in the mountains northeast of the greater Sacramento area, our thoughts turn to fire safety here at home.   How can we make our forests more resilient to wildfires and our homes more resistant to ignition?  Seem like an impossible task?  Well by working together landowners within forested landscapes can make a difference by creating a network of what we call "Shaded Fuel Breaks."   Last year on the Preserve we began implementing the first phase of a Shaded Fuel Break along the east ridge of the property and our neighbors have started to do the same.  What's a "Shaded Fuel Break" you say?  Well simply put, it's an area of reduced fuel for fires, usually placed along a ridge top that has an existing road system.  What we do is thin the forest by removing all "ground fuels," which consist of densely packed shrubs and small trees that we chip onsite.  This is done roughly 100 feet on both sides of the road, depending on terrain and steepness of slope so as not to create any erosion problems.   What we leave are the biggest and best trees that are tall with a broad canopy for shade and wildlife habitat and prune back the side branches, or "ladder fuels" up to 12-15 feet. These ladder fuels, if not removed, will allow a fire to quickly climb up a tree and reach the upper canopy where winds can whip the fire into a high heat frenzy that can result in devastating consequences to the forest ecosystem by reducing it to ashes. The shade from the big trees helps reduce the re-growth of smaller trees and shrubs and provides an area of cooler temperatures where firefighters can make a stand against a wildfire sweeping up-slope towards the ridge.  

If you are a landowner or a land manager that would like to learn more about Shaded Fuel Breaks and see one first hand, The Wildlands Conservancy is hosting a free Shade Fuel Break Workshop Saturday, November 1^st, from 10-2pm on the Preserve.  The workshop will include a tour of the Preserve's fuel break with folks from local agencies on hand that can help you plan, implement, and cost-share a Shaded Fuel Break in your neck of the woods.  Space is limited, to reserve a spot email our Forestry Ranger, Zach Anaya at: zack.a@twc-ca.org or to learn more click here to download
the workshop flier.

For homeowners interested in how to make your home more resistant to ignition, Fire Safe Sonoma has put together a great guide book about living with fire that provides many informative steps home owners can take to improve their home's resistance to catching fire.  Click here to learn more and download the document.