Free BBQ hosted by Tim Koopmann

The Conservation Partnership would like your input on
natural resource funding priorities for Farm Bill Programs
in Alameda County.
Please join us for an informal meeting and BBQ dinner.

Alameda Watershed Map

If your would like to add to the visual appeal of the webpage and printed materials of the Alameda Creek Watershed Council, enter their 2009 Photo Contest.

The contest is open to all amateur and professional photographers. The Council is looking for photos taken of creeks, lakes and wetlands found in the Alameda Creek Watershed.

Visit www.acrcd.org/WatershedCouncil for more information. Deadline for submission is October 1, 2009.

Ranchers and other grassland managers can learn about several simple and effective actions they can take to benefit both their livestock and local wildlife at a June 30th workshop.  “Wildlife Escape Ramps & Other Opportunities for Rangeland Stewardship” will include a hands-on demonstration of how to build wildlife escape ramps for water troughs, a practice that keeps livestock water clean and safe.  A tour of nearby Los Vaqueros Watershed will feature a discussion by livestock operators and watershed managers on how they are actively managing the watershed to benefit several rare species.   The workshop will begin at 9am at the Martinelli Event Center in Livermore and will feature Dan Taylor from Bat Conservation International and other guest speakers.  The cost is $20.00, and RSVPs are required.

California’s grazing lands are increasingly recognized for their value to wildlife.  As water in the west declines due to drought and other factors, water developments maintained and enhanced by ranchers have become important sources for many species. Fortunately, techniques and funding sources exist to help ranchers, land trusts, and public grazing lands manage for both livestock and wildlife.  This workshop will highlight several ways to make grazing operations and infrastructure even more wildlife-friendly:

• Escape ramps are easy and inexpensive to make and install, and virtually eliminate wildlife mortality while improving livestock health and weight gain.
• Fencing can be configured to enhance wildlife access while meeting livestock management objectives.
• Stockponds are important habitat for wildlife, including several rare local species that now depend on these ponds. 

Participants will also learn how to compete for funding for these projects through the Farm Bill, and about a new coalition dedicated to finding common ground for ranchers, agencies and environmentalists. 

For more information and to RSVP please visit our website at www.acrcd.org/workshops.aspx. 

This workshop is hosted by the Alameda County Resource Conservation District, the Alameda County Agriculture Commission and the Contra Costa Water District.  Sponsors include local farm and ranch groups, environmental organizations and local agencies.
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Save The Frogs Day logo thanks to Save The Frogs Day

In an effort to raise awareness of the plight of amphibians, the

scientific community has declared April 28th, 2009 the 1st Annual

‘Save The Frogs Day’.

Find out how you can get involved:  http://savethefrogs.com/day

Tidytips. Photo by Ling He, NRCS

Let us know what you are doing for Earth Day, or if you know of something fun to do post it here.

The Conservation Partnership will be celebrating Earth Day this year by sponsoring two creek clean-ups.  While the real Earth Day is Wednesday April 22nd, we will be participating in events on April 18th.

Earth Day Creek Clean-up - Springtown, Livermore
Saturday, April 18, 2009  8:30 am to 11:30 am
Join us as we partner with the City of Livermore and Livermore Area Recreation and Park District (LARPD) to participate in a creek-clean up along the Arroyo Las Positas between Heather Ln. and Bluebell Dr.  Meet at Robertson Park in Livermore.  The City of Livermore and LARPD will be serving continental breakfast and lunch afterwards, followed by more Earth Day Festivities at Robertson Park. 

Download the flyer here:  http://www.larpd.dst.ca.us/event_flyers/Earth_Day.pdf

Earth Day Creek Clean-up - Alameda Creek, Niles
Saturday, April 18, 2009 9am to 11 am
The Alameda Creek Watershed Council is sponsoring a clean-up along Alameda Creek in Niles from the BART Weir to I St.  Meet at the Niles Commuity Park parking lot at 3rd and H Streets in Fremont.  t:

Download the flyer here:  http://www.acrcd.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=CEN%2bayTzeoI%3d&tabid=117

The City of Fremont’s Earth Day Family Fair will follow from 11 am to 4 pm at the Teen Center in Central Park.  More information can be found at: http://www.ci.fremont.ca.us/Environment/CurrentNews/news090419earthday.htm

Whether you participate in an Earth Day activity or not, take the time to consider your impact on our environment and how you can make small changes in your life to help protect the natural resources that surround us.

Happy Earth Day!

3 Upcoming Herp Workshops in Livermore, CA

The Alameda County Resource Conservation District, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and our partners are pleased to offer these workshops on the biology and management of three listed herps.  Each workshop is led by recognized experts on the species, and includes both classroom and field experience.  Participants will receive field training in species identification, sampling techniques, and habitat requirements.  Class sizes are limited to allow for a more interactive experience, so please register as soon as possible if interested.  For more information, please follow the links below, go to www.acrcd.org, or contact Peggy Kiefer at peggy.kiefer@acrcd.org, (925) 371-0154, ext. 122.

California Red-legged Frog Workshop

April 29-30

Presenters: Drs. Galen Rathbun and Norm Scott

The workshop includes both day and night-time field sessions in small groups to allow for a more interactive experience with the presenters and species.

$375

For more information, please go to http://www.acrcd.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=vCW3B6yYLd0%3d&tabid=61 (opens pdf file)

California Tiger Salamander Workshop

May 11-12

Presenter: Dr. Pete Trenham

Join California tiger salamander expert Peter Trenham, PhD. for a workshop covering the biology and conservation of this federally threatened salamander.  

$300

For more information, please go to http://www.acrcd.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=Kj6%2fpzng0SY%3d&tabid=61 (opens pdf file)

Alameda Whipsnake Workshop

May 27

Presenter: Karen Swaim

Karen Swaim, M.S., and Swaim Biological, Inc. staff will detail the biology of the Alameda whipsnake and how this information can be applied to habitat management, conservation planning, impact analysis, project monitoring, and educational outreach.

$250

For more information, please go to http://www.acrcd.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=7TzDmJKLl5k%3d&tabid=61 (opens pdf file)

In celebration of Ag Day, the ACRCD is working to raise awareness of the contributions agriculture have to every American’s everyday life! 

More than three million people farm or ranch in the United States. Individuals, family partnerships or family corporations operate almost 99 percent of U.S. farms. Over 22 million people are employed in farm or farm-related jobs, including production agriculture, farm inputs, processing and marketing and wholesale and retail sales.

Agriculture provides almost everything we eat, use, and wear on a daily basis, and is increasingly contributing to fuel and other bio-products.

Help celebrate the valuable contributions of American agriculture by letting our farmers and ranchers know you care in this blog.   Leave a comment below and we will summarize them and share them with our local ag community. 

In the spirit of George Washington: “Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful and most noble employment of man.”