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In
the Fall 2002 Newsletter, ESF land manager Kim Hayes explored
the
subject of stewardship. In the Spring 2003 newsletter we showed
you one
example of the difference that 10 years of caring for the
land has made to a pond near the slough. Nothing shows the difference
the Elkhorn Slough Foundation is making to the local landscape
like a photograph, so here are a few more examples of our land
restoration efforts.
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In the newsletter we showed you the middle
pond at Azevedo Ranch (map),
before and after 10 years of stewardship. Here's a look
at the south pond. Previously the strawberry fields grew
right down to the water; now an extensive buffer zone helps
filter runoff before it reaches the pond.
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The top photo shows a drainage channel on the Blohm Ranch
(map)
that has completely filled with sandy soil eroded from ag
fields, threatening a freshwater pond that is habitat for
the threatened California
Red-legged Frog. The bottom photo shows the same area
just 18 months later: sediment
basins have been installed upstream, and the channel
has been excavated and planted with grass that will help
control erosion - the bundles of willow branches also help
to prevent erosion.
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The
rutted hill of sand in the top photo was created by erosion
from steep ag fields and nearby hills. On the Elzas property
we moved tons of sand and reseeded acres of land in order
to prevent erosion and to enable the soil to better soak up
rain, thus helping to recharge the groundwater. This photo
shows just one of several Elzas sites that have been restored
(map). |
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