Eastern Alameda County Conservation Strategy (EACCS)

Public Draft Available

The East Alameda County Conservation Strategy public review and comment period has been extended to Monday, October 18th.  The public draft is available for download on the EACCS website here: http://eastalco-conservation.org/documents.html 

Please send your comments or any additional comments for those that have already submitted comments by mail or email before 5 p.m. on Monday, October 18th to:

Mary Lim
Zone 7 Water Agency
100 North Canyons Parkway
Livermore, CA 94551
mlim@zone7water.com

Download the full press release by clicking here. 

What is EACCS?

The EACCS is a collaborative effort to preserve endangered species by developing a shared vision for long-term habitat protection.  The EACCS will assess areas all across Eastern Alameda County for their conservation value and establish guiding biological principles for conducting conservation in the county. Part of that guidance will include working with willing landowners to implement long-term conservation in the form of conservation easements that would offset impacts from local land use, transportation, or other infrastructure projects.

For more information:

Visit the EACCS website is at: www.eastalco-conservation.org

EACCS Coordinator: Mary Lim, Zone 7:  925.454-5036  mlim@zone7water.com

NRCS & RCD:  Jim Robins, 510.332-9895  jrobins@alnus-eco-com

The Steering Committee and the Users Advisory Group (UAG) meet monthly.  The UAG meetings are open to the public: 2nd Thursday, 2-4pm at Dublin Library

The following documents are available for download in pdf format:

• FAQ: Facts about the Eastern Alameda County Conservation Strategy for Landowners
• EACCS: A blueprint for Action – Landowner Outreach Meeting, June 18, 2008 
• EACCS Landowner Information Meeting Notes, June 18, 2008

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