Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County

If you missed this weekends episode of Open Roads discussing post fire restoration in the Santa Cruz Mountain, here is your chance to watch. You'll get to hear our executive director Lisa Lurie talking about the importance of partnerships. We are so honored to work with so many great organizations. Sempervirens Fund California State Parks. Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Wildfire Home Hardening and Defensible space workshop put on by UCCE, and the Central Coast Prescribed Burn Association. **Saturday June 26th, 10:00am to 12:30 at Woods Cove in Santa Cruz County. Cost is $10. Scholarships are available.... Subjects that will be covered: *Local history: Native cultural burning, Tule elk grazing, colonization, logging and brush encroachment *Current situation: climate change and lack of stewardship *Land stewardship tools: broadcast burning, pile burning, targeted grazing, mechanical (saws, chipping, mastication etc.) and chemicals *Defensible space: the 3' to 30' to 100' zones *Home hardening: keeping your home safe in a ground fire or ember-cast fire *Native species: the good, the bad *Invasive species: and the ugly *Pathogens: Sudden oak death, Pine bark beetle, Monterey pine canker *Solutions: Consistency and hard work! Register at: https://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=34949

Some scenes from today’s Home Hardening and Defensible Space Tour in Bonny Doon. Thank you to Ken and LizAnne for sharing your space with us. And to the Fire Safe Council of Santa Cruz County, Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County and California Fire Safe Council for co-sponsoring this event with us.

Chipping starts next week! Have you completed your scheduling form??? PLEASE SHARE. Regions 1-10 must have their piles ready and scheduling forms complete by THIS SUNDAY, JUNE 6 at 9 PM to be included on the chipping schedule. Check you emails and your junk mail for the link (or email chipping at rcdsantacruz dot org). Regions 11-20 must have their piles ready and scheduling form completed by JUNE 13 at 9PM - Chipping starts June 15th... Regions 21-30 must have their piles ready and scheduling form completed by JUNE 20 at 9PM. Chipping starts June 20th.

Happy Endangered Species Day! Did you know our small County has myriad endangered plants and animals including the aptly named Santa Cruz Long-toed Salamander, which is one of the rarest vertebrates in North America. First discovered along Bonita Drive in Aptos in 1954, it was Federally listed as endangered in 1967. These salamanders spend most of their life in small mammal burrows except for their once a year migration to ponds for breeding. They can live 10 years or more. For years, the RCD has been working closely with our local US Fish and Wildlife Service staff and other partners to protect and enhance habitat and migration corridors for these incredible creatures. A list of endangered species that call Santa Cruz County home can be found at https://www.santacruzpl.org/endangered/

Every path leads somewhere. What is your next outdoor destination? #takeahike #lovetheland #conservation

The new trail at Heart of Soquel park is a great place to view Soquel Creek while learning about our local watersheds.

A Blue Heron enjoying the pools being formed by the large wood project installed several years ago on San Vicente Creek in San Vicente Redwoods. The RCD utilized our permit coordination program to help get this project implemented. So glad to be a part of these great partnerships. Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) Save-the-Redwoods League Swanton Pacific Ranch Sempervirens Fund... Bureau of Land Management - California Video: Ian Rowbotham, Sempervirens Fund

We are so thankful for the support from the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County and all those that donated to the Community Foundation Fire Fund. This grant was critical in helping us quickly mobilize to provide post-fire recovery assistance to those impacted by the CZU Fires.

No-cost materials (straw, compost/silt sock and wattles) for fire impacted properties still available at the Bonny Doon Fire & Rescue station at the corner of Felton Empire and Empire Grade Public pickup. If you need assistance with what to install email [email protected] for an on-site site assessment.

The RCD is honored to be featured as part of this Community Foundation Santa Cruz County online event for our efforts in post-fire recovery. We are grateful to be able to serve alongside so many great organizations that have helped the community through these difficult times from creating local COVID-19 testing and education to bridging the digital divide, recovering from fires, and protecting farmworkers. Thank you to all of our collaborators, funders and partners. It truly... takes a village. Please follow the link and register if you would like to attend this virtual event. *Post-fire photo caption: RCD collaborated with non-profit Walu International, with funding from the Santa Cruz Water Department and Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, to help a neighborhood in Boulder Creek protect creeks from potential polluted runoff from burned structures.

Thank you for the kind words Janet. So glad we could help and that you participated in the Livestock and Land program as well!

PICKUP STARTING TODAY! No-cost runoff and erosion materials available for pickup for properties impacted by the fires. starting today (December 17) at 9:00 am to 4:00 pm through Saturday (December 19). Two locations. Instructions and demo for installation may be provided. Boulder Creek: Boulder Creek Golf and County Club at E. Hilton (right off of Hwy 236) Pickup between 9-4 Bonny Doon: CAL Fire Station at the corner of Empire Grade and Felton Empire - pickup between 9-4

NO-COST RUNOFF CONTROL MATERIALS available for properties with burned structures in the CZU Fire area. Do you still need materials to help contain potential toxic runoff from burned structures? It's not too late. The Resource Conservation District, in partnership with the City of Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz County, is helping distribute materials at NO-COST to property owners to help protect our creeks, soil and wildlife from potential pollutants. Available materials include: ...1. Straw bales (weed-free) 2. Filtrexx Silt/Compost socks (2 sizes) 3. Biodegradable straw wattles. Materials will be available for pickup starting December 17th at locations in Bonny Doon and Boulder Creek. Follow the link to request the materials need and choose a pickup location. Don't know what materials you need? Follow the link to get help determining what materials you need along with installation instructions. https://forms.gle/s4A4h3Lf2fk34yGS8

Our very own Executive Director, Lisa Lurie, was a guest tonight with Susan O’Conner Fraser of Tam Communications on KSCO discussing post-fire recovery. Here is a link to the recording (see Dec 5). http://ksco.com/shows/43352-think-local-first-radio

The California Conservation Corps crews have been working straight since last week to help protect our watersheds. Thank you for all you do.

Redwood duff and leaf drop from fire damaged trees play an important role in protecting the soil from winter rains.

Check out the post-fire watershed protection resources from the County, including this great summary brochure. http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Fir/WatershedProtection.aspx

The RCD, with assistance from SC Relief, Walu, Wildfire Protectors and other local community groups are conducting a survey to assess the immediate community need for assistance with implementing water quality protection measures around burned structures and vehicles that may not be cleaned up before the winter rains. Time is of the essence, so please share widely with those who may need help or may be willing to contribute. https://forms.gle/pssptsVk4NpMNhpM9

Great event tomorrow. Make sure to register.

The Phase II Debris Clean up public option right of entry form is now available online. http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us///PhaseIIDebrisRemoval.aspx

Helping residents better understand the trees and forests on their properties.

Helping landowners better understand their trees.

Spent time in the field today with landowners, local professionals and staff from @sanmateorcd assessing and discussing various aspects of post-fire recovery. All hands on deck as we share and gain knowledge from each other.

Thank you to Tam Communications for filming our co-sponsored training on erosion control with ECI & Central Coast Wilds.

The RCD and ECI & Central Coast Wilds are co-hosting a FREE outdoor training: 'How to Install Straw Wattles and Other Erosion Control Measures' SPACE IS LIMITED and REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Social distancing will be practiced and face coverings are mandatory. http://www.rcdsantacruz.org//9-rcd/2020/10/03/1234-wattles

**WANTED VIDEOGRAPHER** We are looking for someone (on short notice) who could video tape our live event, hosted by Ecological Concerns, on how to install erosion control wattles and other materials for post-fire erosion control. The event is THIS SATURDAY, 10/3 from 10AM til NOON. Due to COVID we have to limit capacity and would like to video tape this important information so we can post it to reach the greatest number of people. Please email Angie. agruys {at} rcdsantacruz.org or leave us a message here if you can help or have a recommendation. Thank you!

We are excited to be partnering with Mountain Feed & Farm Supply to host a FREE WORKSHOP on POST-FIRE RECOVERY at their Ben Lomond store. RSVP Required. Space is limited due to COVID 19. If you missed our webinar series or currently don't have internet access, RSVP today.

Post-fire private road inspections have revealed a lot of damage to culverts. Some have completely melted and pose a serious threat to the integrity of the road. Repairs should be made to avoid collapse of the roadbed.