Santa Cruz WMA

Chair:Jennifer Stern, Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County

General contact: Jennifer Stern, (831) 464-2950, jstern@rcdsantacruz.org

Mapping contact: Jennifer Stern

Meetings: Every two months at the Capitola Community Room, 420 Capitola Road in Capitola

Formed: 2008

Project Highlights:

To prevent the spread from 1 acre to 5 acres, jubata grassis being taken out along the Scotts Creek Estuary, in Davenport. Methods for removal involve hand work with a pulaski to remove the entire plant, including the roots. The project will protect local grazing lands for cattle and the integrity of native vegetation in the Scotts Creek Estuary. Project partners: Cal Poly Swanton Pacific Ranch, Wildlands Restoration Team, and Santa Cruz County Weed Management Area

Thorough the combined efforts of local community participation; periwinkle, Himalayan blackberry, and french broom are being controlled along the San Lorenzo River at Highlands County Park, in Ben Lomond. Methods of control are through hand pulling. The eradication of several weeds is to protect riparian corridor along San Lorenzo River, as well as prime wildlife habitat in Henry Cowell State Park, located just downstream from site. Project partners: County of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department, Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, and Santa Cruz County Weed Management Area

There is a growing concern of the spread or fennel and start thistle in the San Lorenzo Valley Water District sandhills land. The concern is that 1 acres of weed infested land will soon grown to 10 acres and beyond. Through hand removal and follow up treatment, the goals are to protect sandhills habitat and water district land. Project partners: San Lorenzo Valley Water District, George McMenamin Restoration Consulting, and Santa Cruz County Weed Management Area.