2021 Biodiversity Conservation Grant: California

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy will restore native habitat at Abalone Cove Ecological Reserve in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Abalone Cove is one of the most diverse ecosystems in southern California; however, its remaining habitat is a fraction of what it once was due to both widespread development and invasive species spread. Abalone Cove’s primary habitat, coastal sage scrub, is 85% degraded or destroyed and is considered one of the most endangered plant communities in the United States.

The purpose of this project is to restore coastal sage scrub, cactus scrub and host plants to support four special status species: the threatened California gnatcatcher, species of special concern cactus wren, and two federally endangered butterflies: El Segundo blue butterfly and Palos Verdes blue butterfly. The Palos Verdes blue butterfly is the most endangered butterfly in North America.

The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) will work to restore and conserve existing aspen stands in the Yuba River watershed as well as protect vulnerable, budding aspen suckers (aspen reproduces both by seeds and by root sprouts, or suckers). The aspen ecosystem is rich in number and species of animals, especially in comparison to associated coniferous forest types. In recent years, scientists have noted that populations of quaking aspen are in decline in the western United States and Canada. 

Over the grant period, the SYRCL will install cattle exclusion fencing to protect vulnerable new growth aspen, monitor the health and other possible threats to aspen stands using camera traps and assessment protocols, educate students via the Youth Outdoor Leadership Opportunity (YOLO), and empower community members to responsibly recreate in aspen stands through free educational opportunities and outreach. 

The Edgewood County Park and Natural Preserve in San Mateo County is a biologically-rich preserve home to a mosaic of habitats including grasslands, serpentine outcrops, oak woodlands, and chaparral that support rare, endemic, threatened, and endangered species of plants and butterflies, with an estimated 500 species of plants within just 467 acres.  

The Green Grass Biodiversity Conservation Initiative aims to restore Edgewood’s non-native grasslands to their former floral beauty and species diversity by reducing or eliminating weeds and promoting greater cover of native plants. Approximately 40% of Edgewood Park consists of grassland, and almost all of Edgewood’s grasslands have been significantly degraded due to the invasion of weeds, especially non-native grasses. By employing the best practices of grassland management, including mowing, de-thatching, and selective chemical treatments, the Green Grass Initiative will significantly increase native cover and—since non-native grasses also threaten the Bay checkerspot butterfly, thornmint, and pentachaeta—deliver benefits to at-risk species as well. 

This project also supports a multi-year experiment to determine effective methods for controlling non-native grasses and forbs, increasing native cover, and producing long-lasting, healthy, and biodiverse grasslands. 

Located in the center of Moro Canyon at the nexus of two major hiking trails, the site known as “the Bowl” has challenged State Park restoration efforts since the 1990s.  With a long legacy of disturbance resulting from decades of sheep and cattle grazing, the area has been type-converted over time from biologically diverse coastal sage scrub vegetation and perennial grasslands to biologically poor annual grasslands dominated by invasive black mustard. 

Building on established work from the first phase of restoration, which was funded by the State of California, this project will result in the enhancement of 50 acres of coastal sage scrub habitat, resulting in improved ecosystem function and resilience, reduced fire risk, and increased native plant diversity.