U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
 
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Spotlight on Partners: The Nature Conservancy

BLM’s partnership with The Nature Conservancy spans from the grasslands of the Carrizo Plain National Monument to the wetlands of the Cosumnes River Preserve. (text continues below)

Two men looking at a large map, with valley and mountains in the background
Scott Butterfield, left, ecoregion ecologist for The Nature Conservancy; and Larry Saslaw, BLM supervisory natural resources specialist, discuss Carrizo Plain National Monument subregions during a tour.

A view of Soda Lake below, surrounded by green and orange areas of ground
A view of Soda Lake in the Carrizo Plain National Monument

At the Carrizo, the Conservancy has worked with BLM and the California Department of Fish and Game as managing partners on the resource management plan being developed for the monument.

“Their staff has provided scientific expertise throughout the development of the plan. They participated in public meetings and forums to advise and include the public in the planning effort,” said Johna Hurl, BLM monument manager.
 
The Conservancy continues to help BLM acquire inholdings within the monument. “They have donated funds and staff time to help make the acquisition strategy a success,” she said.
 
They continue to provide support and staff to further the mission of the monument.

In 1984, the Conservancy began its work in the Cosumnes River watershed. Purchasing 85 acres of virgin valley oak groves, it established the Cosumnes River Preserve, which has grown to approximately 40,000 acres. 

“Today it is larger than 46,000 acres, or approximately 72 square miles – an area that is greater than the City of San Francisco,” said Harry McQuillen, BLM preserve manager.  (text continues below)

A group of men and women stand in front of trees and a Cosumnes River Preserve sign
Above: Cosumnes River Preserve staff include Kathy Brown, left, acting preserve manager; John Durand, Galt School District; Dianna McDonell, The Nature Conservancy; Amber Veselka, Sacramento County; Erica Louche, Americore; Sara Sweet, the Nature Conservancy; Ed Andrews, State Fish and Game; Holden Brink, BLM; Alex Cabrera, The Nature Conservancy; and Mark Ackerman, BLM.

Below: Holden Brink, BLM; Dianna McDonell, Alex Cabrera and Sara Sweet, The Nature Conservancy; and Mark Ackerman, BLM work at the Cosumnes River Preserve.
Five more people stand near the Cosumnes River Preserve sign and trees

Seven managing partners own land at the preserve:

  • BLM-California - Mother Load Field Office
  • California Department of Fish and Game
  • Ducks Unlimited, Inc.
  • California Department of Water Resources
  • Sacramento Co. Dept. of Regional Parks
  • The Nature Conservancy
  • California State Lands Commission

Preserve partners have developed and signed a Cooperative Management Agreement that states the following goals for cooperative management of the Cosumnes River Preserve:

  • Management of Preserve lands as a single ecological unit for the protection and restoration of valley oak riparian forest and freshwater seasonal wetlands;
  • Protection and enhancement of benefits to declining, threatened, and endangered species of wildlife and plants;
  • Protection of habitat and wintering grounds for wintering waterfowl and shorebirds of the Pacific Flyway; and
  • Protection of other Preserve habitats and promotion of native flora and fauna.

A pond surrounded by trees and tall grasses at the Cosumnes River Preserve
A wetlands area at the Cosumnes River Preserve

- Dave Christy, BLM-California Central District


BLM-California News.byes, issue 390

 
Last updated: 07-08-2009