Sabercat Creek Riparian Habitat Restoration Project

• Restoration Work began Monday, December 13th.  More details can be found below. 
• Interested in volunteering?

The Alameda County Conservation Partnership and the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) are partnering with the City of Fremont on a riparian restoration project along Sabercat Creek in Fremont.  The project goal is to improve habitat diversity in the riparian zone along Sabercat Creek.  A major component of the the restoration activities will be the removal of non-native and invasive species, such as English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, non-native elm trees, and other selected weeds at the site. The project scope does not include complete eradication of non-native species or complete removal of all elms.   After removal of these weedy species, native plants will be planted on site to increase the diversity of the vegetation on site and increase the habitat value for animals such as deer and birds that frequent the area.

Why remove these non-native plants?  These non-native invasive plants do not provide significant habitat for wildlife and grow in an “out of control” manner, taking over space and crowding out the natural vegetation. Invasive vines, such as English ivy, can create dangerous situations, especially in urban natural areas, by climbing trees and adding weight to limbs and reducing air flow around the tree's trunk, which make the trees more susceptible to canopy failure, wind stress and disease. English ivy can also take over and then grow out of yards, in the process damage buildings and fences.

More information on the project plan can be downloaded by viewing the following pdf files:

Presentation from October 21, 2010 Community Meeting
Project Plan Site Map and Planting Details

Restoration Details

Restoration began on Monday, December 13th and continued through Friday, December 31st.

The restoration work included:

• Removal of flagged dead and diseased elm trees
• Removal of flagged English ivy and Himalayan blackberry
• Native plant establishment

Construction included the use of power tools and construction equipment such as weed eaters, chainsaws, mowers, a bobcat, a small excavator and other tools as appropriate. 

For questions regarding the project please contact Leslie Koenig at 925-371-0154 ext 115 or email by using our online form. 

Volunteer Opportunities

The majority of the native plant estabilshment will be completed using volunteers.  Community involvement, especially along this public trail is critical to the success of the project.  We will be working with schools in the area to provide volunteer opportunities through our existing youth education program, Hands-on Conservation.  The planting days are open to youth and community members.  More information on dates and planting details can be found on the Hands-on Conservation website at: http://www.handsonconservation.org/UpcomingEvents/SabercatCreek.aspx

Making Rangeland Stewardship Work for Ranchers, Agencies & the Land

Wednesday, May 23rd 2012
2:30 - 7:30 PM, Castro Valley Library

Grazing is increasingly recognized as an important tool to manage natural resources and improve habitat in the undeveloped hills and valleys surrounding the Bay Area. Grazing leases on public lands, mitigation banks and land trusts can be a win-win arrangement for the land owner and tenant. This workshop will include discussions with land managers, experienced tenants, and beginning ranchers on the opportunities and constraints of grazing for conservation. The workshop will begin with an overview of rangeland stewardship in the Alameda Creek Watershed and the East Bay, and how grazing leases can help achieve conservation goals. After a break for dinner (provided), we will go into more depth on good lease arrangements and some of the resources available to local ranchers. Attendees are welcome to attend one or both sessions as their time and interest allows. Space and food are limited - please RSVP by Friday, May 18th to Amy Evans. $10 donation suggested to help cover workshop expenses.

Agenda
 
Registration 2:30-3PM
 
Afternoon Session 3 to 5 PM
- Overview of Alameda Creek Watershed rangelands
- "Private and Public Lands: Working Landscapes Working Together", Lynn Huntsinger, UC Berkeley
- "Grazing at the East Bay Municipal Utilities District", Rod Tripp, EBMUD
- "Wildlife Habitat on East Bay Rangelands", Jackie Charbonneau, Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Panel discussion, "Meeting the Landowner's Goals and The Tenant's Needs"
 
Dinner 5:15-6:00
 
Evening Session 6:00-7:30 PM
- "Lease Policies and Strategies for Grazing Conservation Lands", Sheila Barry, UC Cooperative Extension
- "Tools and Resources for Ranchers", Alyson Aquino, NRCS
- Panel discussion, "Making Leases Work for the Next Generation of Ranchers"
 
 

This workshop is funded in part by a Beginning Farmer and Rancher Grant from the USDA National Institute of Food & Agriculture, and by the Alameda County Unincorporated Area Clean Water Program