Vegetation and Biodiversity Management Plan
Overview
The Marin County Open Space District (MCOSD) is developing a Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) to direct resource management efforts, on MCOSD’s 34 preserves, for the purposes of maintaining and increasing biodiversity, while reducing the risk of wildfire. The MCOSD will work in partnership with the Marin County Fire Department, local Fire Districts, and other public land management entities, in implementing the VMP.
The VMP will incorporate the most recent science in both of these areas. It will include strategies and tools for addressing the spread of invasive weeds, addressing the increase in fire fuel loads, and improving efforts to preserve and enhance native species and habitats. The VMP will guide the MCOSD in meeting the first goal of its Strategic Plan: Protect and Restore our Lands.
Problem
The MCOSD has experienced an increase of more than 500% in vegetation management responsibilities over the past decade. This is largely a result of increased fuelbreak construction, and the expansion of weed infestations. The MCOSD has not experienced a corollary increase in staffing or budget. Consequently, many of the weed infestations are going untreated, and displacing rare species and native habitats throughout the preserve, resulting in the degradation of the quality of MCOSD lands. As a result, MCOSD is less able to reduce fuel loads and preserve biological diversity on its preserves.
Goals
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Goal 1
Work with adjacent public landowners and partner agencies to create a consistent approach to vegetation management issues; establish, prioritize and standardize vegetation management actions.
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Goal 2
Work with adjacent public landowners and partner agencies to create a consistent approach to vegetation management issues; establish, prioritize and standardize vegetation management actions.
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Goal 3
Coordinate vegetation and fire management actions to reduce or eliminate priority weed infestations; increase public safety; protect native habitats and native species; and reduce wildfire risk.
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Goal 4
Provide the public with opportunities to engage in stewardship of MCOSD lands through participation in volunteer vegetation management activities.
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Goal 5
Ensure the funding, support, and capacity necessary for the achievement of these goals.
Outcomes
Sustainable and cost effective strategies for addressing wildland fire risk through fuel reduction, defensible space and fuel breaks based on vegetation type, slope, aspect, and other site conditions.
- A mechanism for prioritizing vegetation management and fuels reduction projects
- Performance measures and monitoring protocols to enable adaptive management.
- Strengthened partnerships with local fire districts and adjacent public and private landowners.
- Increased community awareness and consensus regarding vegetation management on MCOSD lands.
Consistency with Existing Plans and Policies
Development of a VMP is consistent with the following:
Community Involvement
Community involvement is critical to the success of the VMP process. We have hosted public workshops at different stages of the project to convey information, and to solicit input and answer questions. This is the place to find information about the VMP project including public workshop dates, locations, and agendas as well as related documents as they become available. Throughout the development and implementation of the VMP, we will work closely with County Fire, local and regional fire districts and other partners and entities, including local fire departments, cities, and stakeholders to ensure information sharing and participation in the development and implementation of the VMP.
Public Workshops
All public meetings and events sponsored or conducted by the County of Marin are held in accessible sites. Requests for accommodations may be made by calling (415) 473-2495 (voice/TTY) or 711 for the California Relay Service or by e-mailing disabilityaccess@co.marin.ca.us at least four work days in advance of the event.
Workshop #3: Vegetation Management Tools and Concepts | May 2010
Workshop #2: Present Draft Goals and Objectives | Jan/Feb 2010
Workshop #1: MCOSD Vegetation Management Plan Process Begins | June 2009
Contact Natural Resources Program Manager Mischon Martin mmartin@marincounty.org or (415) 473-2056 for more information.