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Lindsay Wildlife Museum 1931 First Avenue Walnut Creek California 94597 Phone 925-935-1978 www.wildlife-museum.org

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY 2014 FISH AND WILDLIFE PROPAGATION FUND APPLICATION

FROM LINDSAY WILDLIFE MUSEUM December 18, 2014

Investing in Wildlife Rehabilitation Lindsay Wildlife Museum’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital, one of the first wildlife rehabilitation facilities in the country, is a model for wildlife centers worldwide. Last year we treated 5,623 native wild animals, 84% of which were found in Contra Costa County, through nearly $1,000,000 worth of veterinarian and rehabilitation services for animals at no charge to the rescuers each year. Our hospital is also unique in that it serves to support the educational experience of children and youth through the museum’s exhibits and programming. Approximately 45% of the animals we see survive and of those, we were able to re-release over 80% of the animals we treated last year into the wild after rehabilitation. Our goal is to provide the best medical and husbandry care within our resources to regional wild animals in need, as well as release wildlife back to their environment able to thrive and survive. In addition to our 2 full time equivalent veterinarian staff members and volunteer vets, approximately 300 volunteers donate 60,000 hours of service in the hospital each year and among them, specially trained volunteers also provide offsite care for animals at their homes. Today, more than 98% of the animals treated at our hospital are admitted due to adverse contact with human-related activity. Since a child or family often drops off an injured animal, we view this as a unique, exceptional learning opportunity and an enduring way to increase people’s sensitivity to the needs of wildlife, as well as the impacts of human behavior on the natural world. After an animal is admitted to our care, the public can follow the progress of the animal, and, through our exhibits and programming, learn how to mitigate hazards to wildlife and their habitats. Our hospital provides a crucial service to the community and meets the goals of Section 13103 (sections a and b) by providing temporary emergency treatment and care of injured or orphaned wildlife in the area and educating the general public about wildlife conservation. However, due to the specialized nature of our services, we rely on the generosity of donors to maintain the necessary supplies and equipment on hand to treat the many animals that come through our doors. We are requesting $20,083.91 in support from Contra Costa County Fish & Wildlife to provide specialized equipment for our hospital that will replace older models and improve the care we can provide for years to come. We are requesting funds to purchase three different categories of equipment and resources to support the wildlife rehabilitation hospital in its crucial work. These include: 1) a commercial dishwasher to replace our ailing model, 2) a surgical suite comprising different types of equipment to aid in conducting surgical procedures and to ensure the safety of our staff and animal patients, and 3) veterinary resources that provide much needed information and references for our veterinary staff. A Commercial Dishwasher: All animals receiving care at our wildlife rehabilitation hospital are diagnosed, treated, and set up in appropriate housing where they are fed the proper diet. Most animals are fed using an assortment of dishes, such as crocks, crème brulee dishes, dog bowls, plant saucers, etc. depending on the type (and size) of the animal, and their specific diet. Because many of the animals carry diseases that can be spread to other animals or human caregivers, all food bowls must be cleaned and sanitized before they can be used again. Our current dishwasher runs more than 8 times per day and, after approximately six years in use, is reaching the end of its lifespan and frequently needs repairs or service. We would like to purchase a new model to replace our current Energy Star rated dishwasher, to maintain the standards of cleanliness required by the USDA and to prevent the spread of disease amongst our animals. The Surgical Suite: Here at Lindsay, we conduct surgery on approximately 1 out of every 10 patients we treat. An enhanced surgical suite would allow us to provide a safer, quicker procedure for all of our animal patients. The surgical suite would consist of the following: an anesthesia chamber with a latch for our larger mammals, an ECG machine, an

Lindsay Wildlife Museum 1931 First Avenue Walnut Creek California 94597 Phone 925-935-1978 www.wildlife-museum.org

esophageal stethoscope amplifier, squeeze cages, a gas sterilizer, and pain relief and antibiotic medications. Our present anesthesia chamber is aging and slightly cracked. It does not contain a latch and so poses a risk for hospital staff and volunteers. If any of our staff or volunteers ever dropped the chamber, our current model would more than likely open and/ or break, which would risk an animal escape or injuries for either parties. The ECG machine would be a new purchase for us to monitor a patient’s vital signs during surgery. This is important for our vets to determine if any of the procedures are having adverse effects and to more quickly react if anything goes wrong. The esophageal stethoscope amplifier helps to block out ambient noises and amplifies smaller animals’ heartbeat without having to be placed in the veterinary staff’s ears, creating a safer surgical environment. Both the ECG and esophageal stethoscope amplifier would be portable for use in different parts of the building and to take to the animals wherever they may be, which is useful for us since our animals can be held in any number of places, including throughout the building or in a homecare volunteer’s home. We would like to purchase a medium and large squeeze cage for our larger mammal patients to provide a safer environment for the animal patients and the staff. Additionally, we would purchase a gas sterilizer and refills in order to lengthen the life of our surgical tools and sterilize pieces of equipment that would be damaged by chemical or heat sterilization methods. The sterilizer would help us in controlling the spread of disease and creating more effective sanitation practices for our tools. Lastly, our surgical suite would consist of Meloxicam, Buprenorphine, and Torbugesic- three medications used to reduce pain, as well as Clavamox antibiotics to prevent infections during post-operative care. Veterinary Resources: Like most hospitals, our wildlife rehabilitation staff relies on external resources and references to provide the proper treatment and care for our animal patients, as well as to receive updates on best practices from the veterinary community. We have primarily relied on The Birds of North America Cornell Ornithology online database, the Veterinary Information Network, and veterinary textbooks for our information needs. However, the Cornell Ornithology membership, something we use everyday to fact-check on items such as which are the best trees for a particular bird upon release, was borrowed from a volunteer that may not be able to provide it for us this year. We would like to purchase a subscription to The Birds of North America Cornell Ornithology online for our Hospital Manager to prevent this problem in the future, as well as to access additional resources for improved care and release of animals. Secondly, we would like to renew our membership with the Veterinary Information Network, which our vets use every day to look up different treatments for various species or more information on tricky procedures. Lastly, we would like to update some of the textbooks in our veterinary library that are out of date and not very useful anymore. The books we propose would include updated references for daily treatment of animals and would be used for years to come. They would serve as continuing education for our veterinary technicians and a valuable resource for our volunteers. Project schedule Equipment requested for the surgical suite, commercial dishwasher, and veterinary resources would be ordered as soon as grant funding came through in February 2015. Pain medications and antibiotics would be purchased on an as-needed basis until February 2016 or when funding is depleted. Wildlife Rehabilitation Supplies and Equipment Budget

Item Qty. Price (with tax) Total Kitchen Sterilizer (CMA Dishmachine 180UC) 1 7,058.27 7,058.27 Portable ECG Machine 1 $1,027.09 $1,027.09 Anesthesia chamber w/ latch (11.5”x19.5”x11.5”) 1 $720.12 $720.12 Esophageal stethoscope amplifier 1 $216.84 $216.84 Large Squeeze cage (Tomahawk 42”x17”x24”) 1 $337.09 $337.09 Medium Squeeze Cage (Tomahawk 24”x12”x14”) 1 $133.15 $133.15 Gas sterilizer (Anprolene Tabletop AN74ix) plus refills for 24 cycles

1 $6,967.67 $6,496.79

Meloxicam pain medication 11 bottles $108.05 $1,188.55 Buprenorphine pain medication 1 box $72.70 $72.70

Lindsay Wildlife Museum 1931 First Avenue Walnut Creek California 94597 Phone 925-935-1978 www.wildlife-museum.org

Torbugesic pain medication 1 bottle 70.66 70.66 Clavamox antibiotic tablets 4 boxes $255.01 $1,020.04 3 year subscription for Cornell Ornithology 1 $100 $100 1 yr Veterinary Information Network membership 1 $800 $800 Amphibian Captive Husbandry & Medicine book 1 $207.19 $207.19 Mader’s Reptile Medicine & Surgery book 1 $164.54 $164.54 Total $20,083.91 Lindsay Wildlife Museum Total Operating Budget: $ 2,328,448 About Lindsay Wildlife Museum Founded in 1955, the mission of the Lindsay Wildlife Museum (LWM) is to connect people with wildlife to inspire respect and responsibility for the world we share. Through our changing natural history exhibits, animal rehabilitation hospital, live collection of non-releasable native California wildlife, and education and community outreach programs, we provide a portal to the natural world for children and adults. Senior Staff Norma Bishop, Executive Director Melissa Strongman, Director of Education Guthrum Purdim DVM, Director of Veterinary Services Lizzie Coyle, Director of Development Board of Directors Marilyn Fowler, President – Retired CCC Probation Dept. Barney Howard – Retired teacher Gabe Togneri, Vice President – Retired PG&E Nan Hudson – Lindsay Alliance Representative James A. Pezzaglia, Treasurer – James A. Pezzaglia, Inc. Rosanne Siino, Secretary – Strategic Consultant (independent)

Marc Kaplan – Marc Paul, Inc. Kramer Klablau – Aztec Oil & Gas

Charlie Abrams – Abrams Associates Kevin Schwartz – Mechanics Bank Holly Armstrong – Armstrong, Craver & Associates Michael Stead – Stead Motors Stewart Bailey – Technology Integration Group Mark E. Brown – Merrill Lynch

Martha Strock – Lindsay Docent Council Nan Walz – Design Concepts

Lindsay Wildlife Museum Qualifications and Staff Our hospital was founded in 1970 and since then has grown to treat and rehabilitate over 5,500 wild animals every year. We treat over 44% of wildlife in the area. Our wildlife hospital receives support from more than 300 volunteers, interns, and part-time staff members. Our key hospital staff includes: Dr. Guthrum Purdin, DVM – Director of Veterinary Services Dr. Purdin graduated from the University of California Davis in 2009 with a DVM and is currently on the board of directors of Wildlife Care Association in Sacramento and is a relief veterinarian for International Bird Rescue in Fairfield. Eugenie Riberi – Hospital Manager Eugenie began her career in wildlife rehabilitation as first an animal husbandry volunteer at Lindsay, caring for the live collection of mammals and birds. After training in raptor handling and completing two internships at the wildlife hospital, she has also cared for the resident hawks and owls and undergone more than 900 hours of full-time training. Permit Status: Lindsay Wildlife Museum currently holds all state and federal permits required to rehabilitate wildlife.

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Introduction

The Ruth Bancroft Garden is a unique and stunning example of garden design and drought-tolerant plants. The garden was rated by Forbes magazine in 2001 as one of the twelve-most beautiful gardens in America and was amongst the top twenty American gardens in a March 2014 USA Today reader’s poll. It was established as a 3.5 acre private garden by Ruth Bancroft in 1972. Creation of a public garden in 1992 was the inspiration of the Garden Conservancy, a national organization devoted to preserving exceptional American gardens. The garden is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization with a mission to preserve Ruth Bancroft’s example of exceptional design and expansive water conserving plant collection for the enjoyment and education of the public. The garden has increased its membership by 50 percent in the last four years and currently has over 1,600 members. The garden is on track to attract more than 12,000 visitors in 2014, which will also be an increase of 30 percent over 2013. The garden offers over 25 lectures and workshops to members and the public annually, as well as educational tours for more than 700 school children each year. The garden consists of several thousand rare and unusual drought-tolerant plants. It has large collections from South Africa and Australia, and a growing California collection. Prior to creation of the garden the area was covered in annual grassland and native oak trees providing a savanna habitat for wildlife. Most of the grassland habitat was replaced by non-native vegetation and the native oaks have been dying out over the past fifty years. Just recently the garden lost its largest valley oak, measuring 48 inches diameter at breast height (dbh). Nuttall’s Woodpecker and North Flicker are two notable seasonal visitors to the oaks in the garden and mourning doves are year round residents, nesting in the larger cacti. The garden also provides abundant food sources for wildlife, including seeds, fruits and nuts. As the oaks continue to die out the overall wildlife habitat value of the garden will diminish. Project Description

The proposed project will provide for the restoration of wildlife habitat and development of educational tools for children. Native vegetation will be planted in the garden to increase its wildlife habitat value. The garden staff have collected valley oak acorns for propagation and planting. Additional oaks, including blue, coast live, interior live, black and canyon live oak may also be planted should suitable local sources be obtained. The “Native Here” and “Watershed Nurseries” are actively propagating some of these species for sale. The garden’s native section will also be enhanced with the addition of native trees, shrubs, grasses and herbaceous vegetation that are suited for on-site growing conditions. The cost for plant materials, irrigation supplies, small tools and related materials is estimated at $825.

As previously noted, the garden has a very active education program. The garden works with several local schools on environmental education, including plants and wildlife. The garden has self-guided tours for adults, but lacks similar opportunities for children to learn in more depth about the garden, in particular its plants and wildlife. The garden is developing an educational “discovery tool kit” that kids can check out for use during their visit. The kit consists of a small backpack, clip board, pens and pencils, field guide, magnifying glass, binoculars and an activity guide. Each kit would cost approximately $75 to purchase and assemble. We are seeking $150 to purchase two tool kits for the garden.

The total grant application is for $975.

Department of Fish and Wildlife 13103 Criteria

As described in the section of Department of Fish and Wildlife code it would appear that this project addresses sub-sections (a) public education and (e) habitat improvement. Public education and nature studies are existing programs at the garden. Native plants provide habitat for wildlife. In this case, providing habitat for declining birds and insects (as food and as pollinators) are especially important goals for this project. The plantings also create a “living laboratory” for study, including for children who will be able to use the tool kits for their study.

Project Schedule

The project can begin immediately following receipt of grant funds. Initially the garden will purchase and/or propagate California native plant materials. Typically native plants can be planted in the fall through early spring of each year. Prior to planting suitable areas will receive soil amendments and installation of irrigation system improvements, primarily relying upon drip irrigation. The garden has its own well and is serviced by the Contra Costa Water District. This provides flexibility to assure proper irrigation, even in drought years. Site preparation would commence in spring 2015 and planting in fall 2015. All plants should be installed by the end of 2015. Tool kits should be purchased and assembled by the end of 2015. They can be put into immediate use following assembly. The garden plans to purchase four additional tool kits as funding permits.

Project Budget

Using grant funds the garden will purchase the following materials: Cost Plants (e.g. Quercus spp., Salvia spp., Nasella spp., seeds, etc.) $600 Irrigation Supplies (e.g. Control valve, tubing, emitters, etc.) $100 Hand Tools (Pruners, trenching shovel, etc.) $125 Small back packs (2) $50 Field guides (2) $15 Binoculars (2) $30 Clipboards, pens, pencils, paper, etc. $30 TOTAL $975

Annual Budget

As previously noted, the Ruth Bancroft Garden is a registered non-profit organization. The total annual budget is approximately $600,000. Operating revenues are derived from admission fees, memberships, plant sales, special events, grants and donations. The garden has twelve part-time paid staff, plus a volunteer Executive Director (Gretchen Bartzen) and Programs Manager (Billie Hopper). It also has more than 80 docents and other volunteers that greatly assist with developing, operating and maintaining the garden. Remaining budget is expended for utilities, rent, supplies and garden maintenance.

Garden Organization

The garden is governed by a 15-member volunteer Board of Directors that is drawn from the East Bay. Board members have a broad range of experience, including local businesses, non-profits and gardeners, plus a member of the Bancroft family. There are no elected or appointed officials on the Board. The Board conducts regular monthly meetings, overseeing all aspects of garden operations, budget and development. Board officers are as follows:

Mike Rippey, President Donna Coit, Vice President Chris Codding, Secretary Gail Giffen, Treasurer Nina Dickerson Bancroft, Member Greg Alexander, Member Elizabeth Andreason, Member Karen Ferriere, Member Jane Freeman, Garden Conservancy Representative Billie Hopper, Projects Manager Carol Maerzke, Member Peter Raisbeck, Member Dennis Snyder, Member Fred Strauss, Member Kristen Yanker-Hansen, Member A conservation easement over the garden is held by the Garden Conservancy, an organization whose mission is to preserve outstanding examples of estate gardens throughout the United States. The garden is also a member of the Horticultural Society and it provides reciprocal benefits to several other gardens, including the East Bay Regional Parks and UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens. The garden also has several sponsors and these are listed below:

Quest Foundation Mervyn L. Brenner Foundation California Horticultural Society Bonita Garden Club Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust 1-800-Radiator Valent Diablo Magazine Bank of the West Republic Services Renaissance Club Sport Bay Alarm MIV Insurances Services Contra Costa Times Succulent Gardens Pyramid Breweries Minuteman Press Cresco Qualifications

Projects are scheduled, funded and performed under the direction of the Garden Manager, Brad Olson. He has been managing garden and restoration projects for more than 30 years. Plant materials are selected under the guidance of the Curator, Brian Kemble. He has been with the garden for over 30 years. Garden Staff Walker Young and Ryan Penn have taken the lead in designing and implementing renovation projects for more than five years. Gardener Martin Viveros, has had primary responsibility for maintaining planting beds for more than twenty years. Sophie Vidal is the garden’s education director who will be developing the tool kits. The collective garden staff have more than 110 years of experience.

Permits No permits are required for the proposed habitat improvements in the garden.

Financial Hardship As previously described, the garden is a non-profit organization. It operates on a “shoe string” with most of its revenues going to salaries and essential services. The garden has very little surplus cash on hand to purchase materials without immediate reimbursement from an existing account. Unreimbursed expenses would carry as an outstanding balance with our creditors, accumulating significant interest debit. Grant funds are placed into special accounts upon receipt. In the absence of funds projects do not proceed. Accordingly, the garden requests exception to the grant funding cost reimbursement requirements of this grant program.

Thank you for considering our grant application.

Brad Olson, Garden Manager Ruth Bancroft Garden 1552 Bancroft Road Walnut Creek, CA 94598 (925) 944-9352 FAX (925) 256-1889 brad@ruthbancroftgarden.org www.ruthbancroftgarden.org

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Proposal to the Contra Costa County FWC from Raptors Are The Solution

To further the Fish and Wildlife Committee’s interest in funding high value, low-cost public education projects with a high likelihood of making a significant impact on a broad audience, Raptors Are The Solution (“RATS”) respectfully requests funding in the amount of $11,715, to continue our Faces of Rat Poison campaign through public transit PSAs within Contra Costa County. Our project benefits the wildlife of Contra Costa County by educating people about the dangers of secondary poisoning, changing their behavior, and reducing the amount of poison in the food chain. Our project falls within Section 13103(a) Public education relating to the scientific principles of fish and wildlife conservation as well as section (m) Other expenditures for the purpose of protecting, conserving, propagating, and preserving fish and wildlife.

The Problem We Are Addressing Every year thousands of animals—wildlife and pets—die of secondary poisoning from anticoagulant rat poisons. A rodent scurries into a “bait box” containing poison, comes back out, and becomes a walking time bomb for a multitude of predatory animals. An estimated 20,000 non-target animals—raptors, owls, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, mustelids, skunks, even mountain lions—are poisoned in California (alone) each year. One California wildlife center found that over 75 percent of 500 animals they admitted in the past two years tested positive for poison: if the poisons do not kill the animals, they often cause “sublethal” impacts that affect the animals’ behavior and survival.

Regulatory efforts at the federal and state levels to restrict these poisons have been incredibly slow and inadequate although some of the worst poisons are now restricted from over-the-counter sales in California and better restrictions will go into place nationwide next spring. However, the pest control industry is still allowed to use these same poisons, the public can still use “first generation” rat poisons, which are also having a great impact on wildlife, and all of the worst poisons can still be ordered online. Additionally, pest control operators frequently mislead the public about what is being used to control rodents in their homes, schools, or businesses. Using high quality images of raptors and other wildlife and succinct messaging—which have high impact on the public—Raptors Are The Solution is leading a multi-pronged public education effort so that consumers will (a) realize the dangers from these poisons to children, pets, and wildlife; and (b) make less toxic choices. Faces of Rat Poison Campaign to date

Beginning in 2013, we launched a series of public service announcements on BART and AC Transit; more recently we continued our campaign on BART and also MUNI. Total ads installed included 147 AC Transit bus signs, 25 BART station signs and large banners (ranging from downtown Oakland to suburban stations like Walnut Creek); and 26 bus “tails” on MUNI (see photo) in San Francisco. Collectively, these PSAs received at least one million views, according to Titan 360, the public transit ad agency for the Bay Area. They agreed to

donate one ad for every ad we purchased, and we will negotiate a similar arrangement for our Boston

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campaign. In July 2014, we installed three large billboards on Highway 101 in Mendocino County, targeting that area because of its extremely high rat poison use in illegal marijuana grows. These billboards have been seen by over a million people, according to CBS Outdoor, and some are still up since the ad space has not yet been sold, making our investment in this “air time” that much more valuable. Project Goals Raptors Are The Solution respectfully requests funding from the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife

Committee to continue our public outreach campaign in Contra Costa County in BART stations and on and in AC Transit buses. Our goal is to reach at least two million people—and likely more—through our PSAs. When we share information about our campaigns on social media, they attract many new viewers and thus their educational value increases exponentially. Project Schedule One month post grant, we will tweak our messaging and design. Three months post grant our refined public awareness campaign will be launched. We measure our success with data from Titan 360 and CBS Outdoor (billboards): For each bus tail (28 buses) the estimated number of views is 101,292. For each BART station poster (6), the estimated views are 111,188. For each BART “King”—giant banner (6)—estimated views are 555,942 per display. Each billboard (3) is seen by between 30,000 and 80,000 people per week. Project Budget Faces of Rat Poison Public Outreach Campaign Units Rate Cost Project Coordination 40 hours $31 $1,240 Revisions to graphic design 20 hours $75 $1,500 Production and installation 12 BART track level signs; 2 station “king” banners, one month (plus comps from Titan)

$8,975

TOTAL REQUESTED FROM CCCFWC $11,715 Annual Organizational Budget Our annual budget is $41,000. We are funded entirely by private foundations and individual donors.

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Our Mission and Qualifications Raptors Are The Solution (“RATS”) was founded in 2011 by grassroots activists after one of the co-founders discovered several Cooper’s hawks bleeding to death on the streets of Berkeley, having eaten poisoned rodents (the hawks’ bodies were confirmed to have several rat poisons in them by UC Davis vets). In 2013, we became a project of Earth Island Institute. We have a steering committee of five people, many active volunteers, and a scientific advisory board, which includes

(among others) Mourad Gabriel, UC Davis, Chris Geiger, SF Dept. of the Environment, and David Grant, D.V.M. Our Board of Directors is Earth Island’s Board of Directors, which includes Michael Mitrani, President, Martha Davis, Vice President, Kenneth Brower, Vice President, Jennifer Snyder, Alex Giedt, Barbara Brower, John de Graaf, Josh Floum, Will Green, and Robert Wilkinson.

Our mission is to educate people about the ecological role of raptors and the enormous danger to raptors and all wildlife, as well as pets and children, from the wide use and availability of rat poisons. Our goal is to eliminate toxic rodenticides from the food web. While we work with many partners, no other organization provides our widespread public education services or is devoted exclusively to this cause. Here are just a few of our achievements to date: - In 2014, under pressure from our coalition, the US EPA agreed to remove some of the worst second generation anticoagulants from consumer shelves as of March 2015. - In 2014, under pressure from our coalition, the California Dept. of Pesticide Regulation to remove all second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides from consumer shelves as of July 1, 2014. - In 2012, RATS was successful in getting the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval removed from D-Con products. - RATS has been highly successful bringing media attention to this issue: print magazines, online coverage, and radio programs. In 2014, Audubon Magazine featured our work; we appeared on KPFA radio; and most recently, we appeared in The New York Times. We have been featured numerous times in Earth Island Institute’s online magazine, on the popular birding blog 10,000 Birds, and in KCET online. We were also featured in Grist magazine this year. - We have designed and published a series of educational posters on our website, and Facebook page. One of our posters received over 800,000 views. - With Ian Timothy, a young film student, we produced a popular video, Raptor Blues, which has over 8,000 unique views on You Tube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enHV9E-VqM8 Individuals Responsible for Overseeing and Completing the Project Lisa Owens Viani, Director and Co-Founder Allen Fish, Co-Founder In 2011, Ms. Owens Viani and Mr. Fish co-founded Raptors Are The Solution after Cooper’s hawks were found bleeding to death on the streets of Berkeley. Ms. Owens Viani is a writer, communications specialist, and professional fundraiser; Mr. Fish is a raptor biologist and the Director of the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory.

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Raptors Are The Solution requests an exemption to the grant cost funding reimbursement requirement due to the financial hardship it would create on our small organization.

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Bees of Brentwood A Survey of Native Bees in Brentwood’s Diverse Landscapes

1) Description of the project for which funding is requestedThe fundamental relationships between bees and flowers have attracted public attention in recent years as honey bees, intensively managed for crop pollination, are collapsing under a series of pressures. These declines have prompted new studies about the vital pollination services of native bees. Important gaps in information remain, but it is increasingly clear that agriculture across the globe benefits tremendously from—and may shortly require—the services of native bees (Milius 2013). In natural areas, wildlife of all kinds relies on the nourishment and shelter provided by flowering plants and the bees that pollinate them. It is also becoming clear that many wild bee species are in decline, primarily due to habitat loss.

With the generous support of the Fish and Wildlife Committee Propagation Fund in 2011, the UC Berkeley Urban Bee Lab launched an innovative, farmer-initiated pilot project, Farming for Native Bees. By establishing and monitoring high quality native bee habitat on Brentwood farms, the project sought to:

1. Provide a stable, cost-effective and sustainable supplement to honey bee pollination

2. Establish new habitats that will conserve and protect California’s native bees

3. Educate Californians about native bees and their critical importance to agriculture

To date, the project has produced promising results: each year, ~20 acres of high quality native bee habitat are established; bee populations have tripled; preliminary information on crop-specific habitats is being developed; and locals have enthusiastically responded to our outreach work, with new farmers inquiring about the project, and numerous invited presentations. Beyond Farming for Native Bees, however, very little information exists about wild bees in Brentwood and surrounding natural areas. A survey of wild bee diversity was conducted on Mt. Diablo State Park by Dr. Robbin Thorp (1991-2000) that identified just over 100 bee species (106 have been recorded on on-farm constructed habitats). The survey did not gather information on population abundance or host plants visited. Further, it is highly probable that diversity, abundance, and foraging/nesting locations of wild bee populations have changed over the last 15 years, especially since the devastating fires of 2013. These fires represent a unique opportunity, as numerous wildflowers have emerged that have not been seen for over 40 years. This winter’s rains also promise to produce a great crop of wildflowers compared with the past few years.

Monitoring native bee populations across Brentwood’s diverse landscapes is critical to understanding the impacts of constructed habitats, both to provide pollination services and to serve as important refugia for native bees. The proposed project will survey selected natural, urban and agricultural areas to identify: key nesting and foraging sites; additional bee species that could be drawn to and sustained by constructed habitats; and new bee-attractive native and ornamental host plants that have not yet been tested in our farm and urban habitat gardens. The project corresponds with the following requirements of Section 13103:

a. Public education relating to scientific principles by providing farmers, elementary schools and residents withhands-on workshops and presentations, printed and online educational materials, and a native bee field guide

e. Improvement of fish and wildlife habitat by constructing habitats that will protect California’s native bees

i. Scientific fish and wildlife research, by monitoring native bee populations across diverse natural andconstructed landscapes in Brentwood, Contra Costa County

A. Public Education Farming’s outreach efforts have greatly expanded since our project was launched in 2011. Numbers of invited presentations, workshops, habitat tours and exhibits have doubled: in 2014, we were invited to give 24 talks, 5 workshops, 8 habitat tours, and 5 exhibits, reaching over 2,500 individuals. This work included numerous talks and activities for over 500 local school children, such as a hands-on Xtreme Bugs exhibit at the Lawrence Hall of Science; the annual Blossom Walk at Frog Hollow Farm, in which children learned how to catch and identify bees; a table at the Sunol-Ohlone Regional Wilderness Wildflower Festival; 2 presentations at North Oakland Community

The UC Berkeley Urban Bee Lab Page 1

Charter School on native bee ecology; and a field trip to Frog Hollow Farm, where we gave presentations to local Brentwood second grade classes about native bees and the farming project.

Six talks and 2 workshops have already been scheduled for 2015. We have developed a pocket-sized native bee field guide that has become extremely popular among presentation attendees, and farmers are distributing educational materials in CSA boxes and roadside farm stands. Our website, www.helpabee.org, continues to be extremely successful in reaching over 8,000 visitors from every U.S. state and 80 countries since June of this year.

E. Habitat Improvements Habitat improvements will continue on 4 “treatment” farms (Frog Hollow, Enos, and Dwelley #1 and #2). Based on 15 years of survey work on ornamental plants and their native bees in over 50 urban gardens across California, our habitat design represents an important development in pollinator-friendly farming. For example, our research has shown that the relative attractiveness of each individual plant species is directly impacted by the diversity, abundance and proximity of other bee-attractive species. That is, the more “bee plants” contained in a given garden, the more bees will be found, not only in the garden as a whole, but visiting each individual plant. Further, we found that each plant type is visited by predictable groups of bees, allowing us to select a sequence of highly attractive plants throughout the year that match the seasonal progression of native bee species (Frankie et al. 2009a). The proposed survey will allow us to identify new host plants that could be used to sustain rare bee species found in natural areas.

I. Scientific Research The survey will begin with a large-scale scoping session to identify natural, urban and fallowed agricultural areas that appear to be providing important resources for native bees. We have been in close contact with Jim Cartan, Stewardship Associate of the nonprofit, Save Mt. Diablo, who will be working with us to select sites in Mt. Diablo and nearby private lands. Only a handful of representative sites in each landscape will be selected for monitoring, however, the scoping session will allow us to locate similar sites that may be having an impact. Monitoring will focus on selected sites, and take place every 3-4 weeks from February through August. Objectives include:

1. Measure the diversity and abundance of local wild bee populations. Using this information, we can begin tounderstand the important reciprocal relationships between natural, urban and agricultural areas in providingcritical resources for native bees.

2. Identify bee-attractive plant types present in natural areas. By discovering what plant types are beingutilized by wild bees in natural areas, we may be able to expand our constructed habitats to better supportlocal native bee populations. For example, many wild flowers are not available in regular nurseries, but canbe cultivated for this purpose. Examples include flowering plants in the genus Potentila, Phacelia, andEriodictyon, which have tremendous potential as a native bee magnet.

3. Measure impacts of fires and urban developments on local wild bee populations. Dr. Robbin Thorpdeveloped a species list (~100 spp.) for Mt. Diablo a number of years ago. Since that time, both natural andagricultural areas in and around Brentwood have given way to urban development, and major fires haveimpacted portions of the park. Comparative data will reveal how populations are changing over time.

The survey will result in a comprehensive list of local bee species identifying the most common species; a region-specific plant list that includes both ornamental and weedy/wildflower host plants; and a map of wild bee “hotspots” that can be used to strategically protect existing and plan for the development of new wild bee habitats that support crop pollination.

2) Project scheduleMarch 2015: Scoping session in Mt. Diablo State Park, and in urban and agricultural Brentwood. Identify sites for monitoring.

June-August 2015: Monitor late spring/summer native bees.

September-October 2015: Prepare hedgerows and garden sites for fall planting (clearing weeds, soil preparation, and irrigation installation). Monitor fall native bees.

The UC Berkeley Urban Bee Lab Page 2

November 2015-January 2016: Prepare sites for winter (pruning, amending necessary soil beds and replacing dead plants) and install bee nesting boxes.

February-March 2016: Spring plantings and garden maintenance. Monitor spring bees and curate specimens collected for identification. Develop printed and online outreach materials and install garden signage.

March-May 2016: Monitor spring native bees. Data input into Access database for analysis, and prepare peer-reviewed and popular publications. Update online offerings with project results.

Ongoing: Presentations, workshops and other outreach events as invited.

3) Project budgetExpense Amount Native Bee Habitat Development

Plants and Seeds $4,000 Irrigation Systems $1,500

Bee Nesting Boxes $2,000

Educational Materials $1,000 Indirect Cost (at UCB's off-campus rate of 26%) $2,210 Total: $10,710

4) Annual budget: 2014-2015 operating budget for the University of California is $6,600 (in millions)

5) Statement describing the applying organizationThe University’s mission is to serve society as a center of higher learning, providing long-term societal benefits through transmitting advanced knowledge, discovering new knowledge, and functioning as an active working repository of organized knowledge. That obligation includes undergraduate education, graduate and professional education, research, and other kinds of public service, which are shaped and bounded by the central pervasive mission of discovering and advancing knowledge. UC governance consists of three bodies, the President (Mark Yudof), the 26-member Board of Regents, and the Academic Senate (for more information, see www.universityofcalifornia.edu/aboutuc/governance.html). Affiliated organizations include the National Science Foundation, National Institute of Health, Environmental Protection Agency, and various state agencies.

6) Statement describing the qualifications of the sponsoring organization and participating individualsFor over 15 years, the Urban Bee Lab has conducted groundbreaking research on California’s native bees, their relationships with flowering plants, and their pollination role in agricultural, ornamental and natural landscapes. As honey bees decline, this role is becoming more important than ever. Our work is providing encouraging evidence that high quality habitats can increase native bee populations, providing important pollination services and serving as a buffer against native bee declines. Partnering with local gardeners, botanical and community gardens, schools, farmers and scientists, the Urban Bee Lab puts these groundbreaking findings to use through hands-on outreach programs that create new habitat for native bees.

Dr. Gordon Frankie has been a faculty member of the ESPM Department in the College of Natural Resources (CNR) at UC Berkeley for 35 years. CNR addresses biological, social, and economic challenges associated with protecting natural resources and the environment. CNR (http://cnr.berkeley.edu) and the Extramural Funds Accounting (http://controller.berkeley.edu/efa) manage funding and accountability for all funded projects.

7) List of individuals responsible for performing and overseeing the projectProject Supervision: Dr. Gordon Frankie, Principle Investigator Project Workers: Dr. Gordon Frankie (PI, UCB); Sara Leon Guerrero (Program Manager, UCB); Jaime Pawelek (Species Identification, UCB; Two Lab Assistants (TBA)

8) Statement describing the status of permit approvals necessary to perform project: N/A

The UC Berkeley Urban Bee Lab Page 3

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Golden Gate Audubon Society Eco-Richmond/Bird-Friendly Schools Program

Proposal to the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund Golden Gate Audubon Society respectfully requests a one-year grant of $7,971.75 to partially support the materials associated with our award-winning Eco-Richmond Program and its new initiative, Bird-Friendly Schools. The year-long program serves 3rd - through 5th - grade children and their families in four Title I (federally-assisted) schools within the communities adjacent to the North Richmond Shoreline. How Project Benefits Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife: This project satisfies requirements (a) and (e) of Section 13103, Fish and Game Code: Section (a): “Public education relating to the scientific principles of fish and wildlife conservation…” In the 2015-2016 school year, we will provide the Eco-Richmond Program to a total of 300 students and their family members within 8-10 classes at: Verde Elementary, Lake Elementary, Bayview Elementary and Montalvin Manor Elementary Schools. These schools are all Title I schools whose pupils are among the most underserved in Contra Costa County.

Each class will receive:

• a progression of at least three in-class/schoolyard lessons aimed at fostering environmental stewardship and wildlife conservation, PLUS

• a field trip to the North Richmond Shoreline; AND, • a field trip to Wildcat Creek Canyon.

Each field trip includes holistic lessons related to ecology and stewardship. Students will discover the ecology in the County. They will plant upland native plants, engage in wildlife observation, learn about the watershed, study food webs, and help to ensure the environment is safe by cleaning out the trash they find during their field trips. Youth Education Director, Anthony DeCicco, will lead all instruction in the program. Classroom lessons involve Powerpoint presentations, student workbooks on local wildlife and conservation strategies, watershed maps, a large-scale watershed model, and brochures on local wildlife conservation. Pupils on field trips will get to use high quality binoculars, scopes, microscopes, observation equipment and field guides for the major taxa. Section (e): “Improvement of fish and wildlife habitat...” In the 2015-2016 school year, Eco-Richmond Program students will continue the third season of restoring a 5,000 square foot section of upland habitat at the Point Pinole Regional Shoreline. For nearly a century, the area served as a dynamite production and testing site. John Hitchen, Park Supervisor, requested that Eco-Richmond Program participants work to increase habitat and biodiversity in the park. To date, the students have planted more than 1,000 upland native plants—Toyon, California sagebrush, Coffeeberry, Sticky monkeyflower, Coast buckwheat, Common yarrow and Hairy

gumplant—which provide protective cover, seeds, nectar, pollen, and berries that sustain numerous local species. Eco-Richmond Program participants will plant 1,000 plants during the grant period. Eco-Richmond Program students will also create homes for local birds dependent on cavities to nest and successfully reproduce—Barn Owl, Western Bluebird, Chestnut-backed Chickadee and American Kestrel—by working collaboratively to build nest boxes. With the increased removal of snag trees in urban areas, these species have fewer cavities in which to nest. Anthony DeCicco will bring the pre-cut/pre-drilled materials to the classrooms, and, when finished, boxes will be installed on school sites within the Point Pinole Regional Shoreline and at Wildcat Canyon. The respective school and park officials have given verbal authorization for placing the nest boxes on site. In total, the Eco-Richmond Program Students will build 30 nest boxes during the grant period.

Project Schedule:

• June – August 2015: curriculum development, evaluation and preparing materials • September – October 2015: recruit and schedule classes, begin instruction • November 2015 - February 2016: field trips to Point Pinole • February – May 2015: class instruction and field trips to Wildcat Canyon.

Project Budget: Item Cost per unit Quantity Total Native plants (acquired from the Watershed Nursery in Richmond)

$3.80 $5.20

500 500

$1,900 $2,600

Wood for nest boxes (salvaged wood when possible)

$20.00 30 $600

Hardware for nest boxes $10.00 30 $300

Screwdrivers $4.00 30 $120 Trash grabbers

$34.00 30 $1020

Microscopes for field studies $100 8 $800

Magnifiers/Handheld Observers $10 $5

20 30

$200 $150

Fold-out bird guides for student use $8.05 35 $281.75

Total $7,971.75 Organizational Budget: $624,000.00 Statement of the organization: Founded in 1917, Golden Gate Audubon Society engages people to: • Experience the wonder of birds and translate that wonder into action, and • Protect Bay Area native bird populations and their habitats. Golden Gate Audubon Society is the ninth biggest chapter of the National Audubon

Society and is among the most highly regarded conservation organizations in the Bay Area. We are supported by over 5,000 members and volunteers. For nearly a century, Golden Gate Audubon Society has worked to protect the San Francisco Bay's biodiversity and to empower and educate local citizens of all ages and backgrounds. For this project, we will coordinate our work with East Bay Regional Parks, including the Park Supervisors at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline (John Hitchen) and Wildcat Canyon Regional Park (Justin Neville). Board of Directors: Laura Gobbi (President), Karim Al-Khafaji. Whitney Dotson, Alan Harper (Vice President), Sarah Peterman, Jay Pierrepont, Phil Price, Linda Vallee (Secretary), Linda Carloni, Robert Lewis, Bill Hudson, Jack Dumbacher, Judith Pynn. Qualifications: For nearly a century, since 1917, Golden Gate Audubon Society has worked to protect the San Francisco Bay's biodiversity and to educate local citizens of all ages and backgrounds about local species and habitats. We strive to empower and inspire committed environmental stewards. Golden Gate Audubon runs a robust education program for both adults and local schoolchildren. Our Eco-Richmond Education Program is focused on providing vibrant STEM science education and ecological stewardship for the most underserved pupils and has twice been recognized by prestigious awards. The Eco-Education Program received the Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award for Children's Environmental Education in California. In 2009, the Eco-Education Program was the sole recipient of the Outstanding Service Award from the North American Association for Environmental Education. Golden Gate Audubon is actively involved in engaging the public in wildlife and ecological education and stewardship in three counties, including Contra Costa County where this grant will be applied. Anthony DeCicco, Youth Education Director, will lead the implementation of the project. Anthony has worked with Golden Gate Audubon since 2006 and has been a committed environmental educator for over 13 years. He holds an M.S. in Environmental Education from California State University Hayward. Cindy Margulis, Executive Director, joined the Golden Gate Audubon staff in May 2014 after many years as a GGAS volunteer. She has administrative experience in both the non-profit and private sectors. In the private sector, she has worked as a strategic business development leader and marketing strategist in a range of businesses. As a Golden Gate Audubon volunteer, she helped advocate for protection of endangered California Least Terns at Alameda Point through GGAS’ Friends of the Alameda Wildlife Reserve committee. A longtime birder, Cindy has also served as a volunteer and wildlife educator for conservation groups including International Bird Rescue, Oakland Zoo, San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory, and East Bay Regional Park District. She has a B.S. from Boston University.

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2015 Marsh Creek – Morgan Territory Habitat Restoration Project Grant Application

Summary Save Mount Diablo is seeking a $10,000 grant from the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund to protect critical creek resources for threatened and rare species and restore native habitat on natural lands in Contra Costa County. The requested grant will support the construction of a water system for conservation grazing, native habitat restoration, the decommissioning of a road too close to Curry Creek and the mapping and tracking of invasive species.

Project Description Save Mount Diablo is requesting grants funds to support a number of restoration activities on their conservation properties in the Marsh Creek-Morgan Territory which is their single most important preservation area, rich and rugged and in the heart of the Diablo region. Marsh Creek is a significant natural corridor connecting the protected lands and is the longest undeveloped creek in the county. The requested grant would fund the following projects in the region:

Curry Canyon Ranch Conservation Grazing Improvements Save Mount Diablo will be using conservation grazing as a tool for management on Curry Canyon Ranch to enhance grasslands, manage biodiversity and reduce wildfire hazards. They have grazing leases on the two parcels of the Ranch, one on the lower 200 acres and one on the upper 880 aces. As a means to responsibly manage the sensitive resources and gain the full benefits of grazing, enhance native grasslands and reduce fuel and fire loads, Save Mount Diablo needs to improve the water supply system. Water availability for livestock significantly influences where and when cattle graze on the landscape. The requested $6,000 grant will fund the construction of a water system that includes troughs with wildlife ramps. By installing this water trough system, this will reduce the pressure on Curry Creek. This will allow the grazers to move the cattle to the appropriate places on the property such as away from the creek to protect water resources and habitat.

Curry Canyon Ranch Road Decommission Save Mount Diablo would like to decommission a road on Curry Canyon Ranch that parallels and is too close Curry Creek. Curry Creek is a natural, rock bottom creek home to threatened and endangered species. Because the road is close to the creek, this causes erosion and sediment to run-off into the creek. The $2,000 requested grant will support the decommissioning of the road, re-vegetating the area and moving it to protect this sensitive natural resource.

Hanson Property Restoration: Plants and Erosion control Save Mount Diablo recently purchased the 76.46 acre Hanson property located on Marsh Creek Road. The Hanson property includes a tributary to Marsh Creek, which is confirmed for California red-legged frog. The property may support ground squirrels, California tiger salamander, burrowing owls, and possibly American badger, among other species. The wooded ridge lands provide nesting habitat for many raptors including golden eagle, Coopers and sharp-shinned hawks. In addition, there are two culverts, that are located close offsite, and underneath Marsh Creek Road, and are viable for wildlife movement. Save Mount Diablo is requesting a $1,000 grant to purchase native species for planting and erosion control materials to improve habitat on the Hanson property and protect the tributary.

Calflora Weed Management Program Save Mount Diablo is requesting a $1,000 grant to subscribe to the Calflora Weed Management Program as a way to map their invasive species and treatments on their property. The primary purpose of the program is to track weed infestations over time, and the treatments applied to those infestations. Save Mount Diablo is actively working to manage the invasive species on their 20 properties, and this program will vastly improve how this can be done. By managing invasive species this will improve native habitat for wildlife.

This project will benefit the fish and wildlife of Contra Costa County This project will benefit the fish and wildlife of Contra Costa County because the activities will protect creeks and riparian resources from cattle damage and erosion, restore native habitat and reduce invasive species on the landscape.

This project meets the requirements of Section 13103 of the Fish & Game Code This project meets the requirements of Section 13103 of the Fish & Game Code letter (e) improvement of fish and wildlife habitat. The activities in this project include protecting sensitive creek resources and vegetation management through planting and protecting native species.

Project schedule The project will be completed during the grant period, one year from receiving the funds. Also, workdays will be scheduled throughout the year as needed for volunteers to help complete the tasks such as planting native species on the Hanson property, erosion control and other activities appropriate for volunteers.

Project budget (itemized).

CCFWC Grant Budget Request from

CCFWC Other

Sources Total Expenses Personnel Stewardship staff (1) 8,000 (a) 8,000 Curry Canyon Ranch

Water Tank System(2) 6,000 6,000 Road Decommissioning(3) 2,000 1,000 (b) 3,000 Hanson Property

Native plants and erosion control materials 1,000 1,000 (c) 2,000 Calflora Weed Management Program

One-year subscription 1,000 1,000 Total Expenses 10,000 10,000 20,000 Revenue Request for CCFWC 10,000 10,000 a. Save Mount Diablo 8,000 8,000 b. REI 1,000 1,000 c. Patagonia 1,000 1,000

c. Volunteer time (4) in-kind d. Nomad Ecology (5) in-kind Total Revenue 10,000 10,000 20,000

(1) Staff time will cover the Land Conservation Manager and Stewardship Associate's time for coordinating and implementing all project activities. (2) The requested grant will fund the construction of a water tank system to protect Curry Creek from cattle. The breakdown of the costs are estimated at: $1,200 for the tank, $1000 for pump, $1,000 for plumbing, three troughs at $750 and materials for wildlife ramps for $550 which totals $6,000. (3) The costs associated with the road decommission will include equipment rental, supplies and materials to rehabilitate the old road and move the new road. (4) In-Kind volunteer hours to plant native plants and do erosion control. (5) In-Kind ecological consulting services provided by Nomad Ecology

Organization Budget: Save Mount Diablo’s 2015 operating budget is $2,563,274.

Organizational Information and Board of Directors Save Mount Diablo’s mission is to preserve Mount Diablo’s peaks, surrounding foothills and watersheds through land acquisition and preservation strategies designed to protect the mountain’s natural beauty, biological diversity and

historic and agricultural heritage; enhance our area’s quality of life; and provide recreational opportunities consistent with protection of natural resources.

Save Mount Diablo is a non-profit 510(c)(3) conservation organization. When Save Mount Diablo was formed in 1971, there was only one 6,788 acre park on the mountain. Currently, there are more than 40 parks and preserves around the mountain, over 110,000 acres of preserved open space, one of the Bay Area’s most significant assemblages of land and wildlife habitat.

Save Mount Diablo’s Board of Directors are:

Scott Hein, President (Principal, Diablo Analytical, Inc.) Amara Morrison, Secretary (Attorney, City of Livermore) Burt Bassler, Treasurer (Principal, Bassler Associates, Inc.) Heath Bartosh (Founding Principal, Nomad Ecology) Joe Canciamilla (Business Owner) John Gallagher (retired veterinarian) Claudia Hein (Professor, Diablo Valley College) Gary Johnson (retired attorney/mediator) Sue Ohanian (retired employee benefit consultant) Marty Reed (Principal, The Roda Group) Malcolm Sproul (Principal, LSA Associates)

Qualifications of Save Mount Diablo and Staff Responsible for This Project For over 43 years, Save Mount Diablo has been working to preserve, defend and restore the natural lands around Mount Diablo for wildlife and people. Save Mount Diablo’s Executive Director, Ron Brown and Land Programs Director, Seth Adams have over 50 years of combined conservation experience in the Diablo region and 50 years of combined non-profit management experience. The full time Land Conservation Manager George Phillips has extensive field work experience undertaking stewardship projects and has planned and managed numerous complex stewardship projects. Mr. Phillips and his staff will be planning and coordinating projects to provide volunteers with a positive and rewarding experience. In addition, we receive in-kind ecological consulting services from local professionals such as Nomad Ecology and LSA, Inc.

Individuals Responsible for Performing and Overseeing the Project George Phillips, the Land Conservation Manager, will supervise the project with help from the other stewardship staff to coordinate volunteer involvement and oversee all work undertaken as part of the project. The Stewardship Committee, which is a hands-on committee that guides Save Mount Diablo in the management and restoration of properties, will be assisting with the project.

Statement Regarding Permits: No permits are necessary for this project.

Hanson Property Curry Creek on Curry Canyon Ranch

Office Use Only: Contra Costa County 201 Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund

Application Cover Page

Project title:

Organization/Individual applying:

(Organization type: please check one – government, non-profit, for-profit, other (explain)

Address:

Telephone: Fax:

E-mail:

Name and title of contact person:

One sentence summary of proposal:

Requested grant:

Proposal prepared by (name & title):

Signature (Typing your name does not count as a signature. If this section is empty, your proposal will not be considered):

________________________________________________ Signed on _______________ 01/05/2015

and scientifific research at Pinole Creek.

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Text

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Contra Costa County Dept. of Conservation and Development Earth Team Proposal Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund 2015-2016

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1) Project Description The proposed project intends to continue building on the results of our successful after-school

watershed internships at Pinole Valley High School’s (PVHS). With the support of the FWC, during 2014 we have been training a team of 12 student-interns in basic scientific research, environmental monitoring and habitat restoration along Pinole Creek. Students have engaged other peers at the Environmental Studies Academy (ESA) and the general public in watershed education and stewardship, with an emphasis in raising public awareness on litter pollution and storm water issues.

The main objectives of the project for 2015-16 are (1) to consolidate ongoing work by offering for a second year the Sustainable Youth Watershed Internship project (2) to strengthen ongoing partnerships and develop new ones to widen public education impacts, (3) to engage new science experts and high profile speakers to increase project outreach and public visibility.

The project, modeled after our modified Service Learning methodology, will provide students with yearlong training in hands-on scientific riparian habitat monitoring and restoration techniques while improving upland and creek corridor habitat along adopted portions of Pinole Creek. In addition, students will present their findings on restoration and monitoring efforts to the entire campus and the local community, suggesting ways that community members may use to positively impact their local creeks.

The internship will continue strengthening existing partnerships with the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) and the Friends of Pinole Creek Watershed (FOPCW). For the new year, it will incorporate new partners, including Pinole Valley Community Church, Restoration Design Group, West Contra Costa Unified School District and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Urban Stream Restoration Program. Our project team will directly support and provide education and outreach services to ongoing restoration and education activities under the Pinole Creek Vision Plan.

Student-Interns will be recruited in August-September 2015 and will meet after-school once a week for 32 weeks (over 100 contact/hours) through June 2016 to learn basic scientific knowledge, practice monitoring techniques and develop habitat stewardship skills through the following activities:

1) Hands-on learning in environmental monitoring protocols in partnership with EBMUD and FOPCW, including gathering data that is used by both organizations in their professional restoration projects along Pinole Creek. Monitoring activities may include but are not limited to: bird counts, measuring creek profiles, water quality testing and vegetation monitoring.

2) Continuing the design and maintenance of the FOPCW’s adopted restoration site, including researching and installing native plants, laying down sheet and wood chips mulch, and removing invasive species and trash. Interns will host two of these restoration days during school hours, during which time their fellow ESA students and teachers will learn about the project and assist in restoration activities and in creating public awareness with families.

3) Public presentations about Pinole Creek’s restoration and monitoring efforts and ways for people to get involved: a) during in-class events, b) at ESA Academy end-of-year assembly and c) at the Pinole Valley Community Church and Pinole Library. The planning of the presentations includes the design/distribution of a free brochure available at both institutions.

These activities will benefit the fish and wildlife of Contra Costa County, and in particular Pinole Creek, by: 1) direct restoration efforts such as invasive plant removal, native plant installation, mulching and trash removal, as well as the vegetation and trash monitoring that will accompany those efforts; 2) the integration of monitoring data to further assist EBMUD and FOPCW restoration projects along Pinole Creek; 3) stronger community outreach conducted by the team of interns regarding Pinole Creek’s ecosystem, restoration and monitoring work, and how community members may positively impact it.

This project meets the following requirements of Section 13103 of the Fish and Game code through the following means: part (a) is fulfilled through 1) monitoring data collection as guided by fish and wildlife biologists heading up restoration projects with EBMUD and FOPCW; 2) the use of field guides in plant identification and researching additional plants to be installed along the adopted restoration site; 3) fact-based

Contra Costa County Dept. of Conservation and Development Earth Team Proposal Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund 2015-2016

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outreach presented by interns who conduct research to build their outreach presentations and pamphlet. The project meets Section 13103 (e) through direct native plant installation and invasive plant removal during restoration work days, as well as the removal of any barriers to fish migration in the creek as advised by EBMUD and FOPCW such as tires, logs and other debris.

2) Project Schedule Timeline, Milestones, & Products 9/1/15 - 6/30/16 Summer=Jul-Sep. Fall=Oct-Dec. Winter=Jan-Mar. Spring=Apr-June S F W Sp Meet with partners (FOPCW, EBMUD, Pinole Community Church, Restoration Design Group) and PVHS ESA teachers to plan internship activities/deliverables.

Recruit 10-12 student interns though class visits, application completion, and phone interviews.

Administer pre-surveys to capture baseline evaluation data. Facilitate 32 weekly after-school meetings to learn about and practice scientific environmental monitoring and restoration methods.

Collect fall monitoring data. Update to our Salesforce database. Progress report Interns prepare for and execute four restoration workdays during school hours to involve fellow ESA students and wider public in restoration efforts.

Collect formative evaluation data through student reflection activities.

Collect winter monitoring data. Update to database. Collect spring monitoring data. Update to database. Administer post-survey and reflection for summative evaluation.

Two public presentations: (1) ESA students (200), (2) general public (Pinole Library, Pinole Community Church, etc. Distribution of project brochure and project installations to create public awareness.

Continue printing project brochures for Library to replenish stock. 3) Project Budget

Personnel Hours/Units Rate Cost

Student-Interns Stipends (annual amount) 12 $500 $6,000 Personnel subtotal $6,000 Supplies and small equipment

Field Materials: plants, boots, gloves, buckets /bags, meter sticks, flags for creek profiles. 1 $500 $500

Flow rate sensors, nitrate ion selective electrodes, extra probes for water quality meters, spherical, transect tapes, quadrat frames, spherical densitometer, tangent height gauges (canopy cover and tree height).

1 $2,500 $2,500

Printing, copying, video and photography 1 $800 $800 Supplies and materials subtotal $3,500 Travel and other expenses Earth Team staff mileage reimbursement 1,103 $0.56 $612 Snacks for internship meetings/ field days 30 $10 $300

BUDGET GRAND TOTAL 10,712

Contra Costa County Dept. of Conservation and Development Earth Team Proposal Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund 2015-2016

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5) Earth Team’s Annual Budget (Fiscal Year 2014-15): $375,000 6) About Earth Team Earth Team mission is to empower teens to become lifelong environmental stewards through experiential education, skills development, and the building of strong community connections. Board members are: Katharine Barrett, Gia Calvillo, Kiverdi, Inc.; Whitney Dotson, East Bay Regional Parks District; Judy Ford, University of Amsterdam; Vladimir Foronda, UC Davis; Richard Knowles, Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco; Michele Perrault, Sierra Club; Chris Sater, Google; Michele Korpos, PG$E; Doug Karpa, Holland&Knight, Holly Moore, Seller LLP and Pallavi Sherikar, UC Berkeley. 7) Organization Qualifications Earth Team has been leading innovation in the environmental education field providing long lasting programs to public schools in 3 counties in the SF Bay Area since 2000. It has an excellent track record of successful grants/project management, as well as an excellent reputation with the schools based on the high quality of its programs, fiscal transparency and cost efficiency. Each year we provide 4,000 high school students in the San Francisco East Bay area with environmental science activities in the classroom and in the field. Our professional educators present investigations in the classroom and organize off-campus activities for students to complement the environmental science concepts learned at school. Earth Team received the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) in the environmental justice category (2011) and was selected as one of four recipients to receive Diablo Magazine's 2009 Eco Awards. It has endorsements by the Superintendents of Schools of both Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

8) Project Staff & Qualifications

Devin Cormia Earth Team’s Campus Coordinator, will coordinate and lead the internship at Pinole Valley HS. Devin has a B.A. in Community Studies, UC Santa Cruz and has worked as a science educator.

Manuel Alonso, Earth Team’s Executive Director, Ph.D Anthropology, will provide support in planning, implementation and evaluation and will coordinate project evaluation. Prior to joining Earth Team in April 2013, he worked for 20 years in executive positions in several environmental nonprofit organizations.

Doug Streblow, Program Manager, M.S. In Environmental Education. He has worked at the Oakland Zoo facilitating 5 day “Wild Survivor” courses and lead educational programs for large groups and overnight educational programs. With the Audubon Society he traveled the United States for two years teaching about Environmental Concepts and developed and facilitated curriculum in Ecology, and Sustainability

William L. Wilson, Pinole Valley ESA Lead Teacher, Ph.D. in Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry. Since 2000 he is lead teacher for the Environmental Studies Academy coordinating extensive programs involving marine environments. He advises the Pinole Creek Restoration Group, and the Wetlands Group who works closely with Smithsonian Research, monitoring tunicates in the Bay around Berkeley.

Connor Dibble, UC Davis- NSF, will be the project’s research and science advisor, assisting with teacher training and public outreach. He will conduct field trips with students to several research sites. His work helps predict species invasions resulting from climate change and has a strong educational /outreach component which informs modeling efforts to predict climate change impacts on the oceans. Madeline Burchard, Earth Team Campus Coordinator, will support the internship as needed. She has a M.S. in Biological Sciences, concentration in Organismal Biology, Ecology, and Conservation and receive a Michael Lee Biodiversity Fellowship, 2012. Before joining Earth Team in 2013, she was a teaching assistant at San Jose State University . 9) Permits: Earth Team will continue working in partnership with FOPCW and EBMUD to access their adopted restoration sites.

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Regional Parks Foundation to the Contra Costa County Fish & Wildlife Propagation Fund 01/05/15 3pp. 1

APPLICATION TO THE CONTRA COSTA COUNTY FISH & WILDLIFE PROPAGATION FUND

FROM THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION

2. Project Description a. Benefit to Contra Costa County Fish & Wildlife -- Contra Costa County’s wildlife and their habitats will be conserved only if today’s young people have both the awareness and an affinity for the protection of our environment. Each year, the Regional Parks Foundation raises the essential funding to support outdoor opportunities for low-income and at-risk youth. Camping scholarships (also known as “Camperships”) offer one-of-kind learning opportunities in nature to expand students’ knowledge of wildlife, conservation and environmentalism – experiences that are becoming less and less accessible to today’s youth, often referred to as Nature Deficit Disorder. Sadly, this syndrome is disproportionately represented among urbanized youth and communities of color which characterize much of West Contra Costa County. These students, families, and their school districts are under-resourced and challenged to support the kind of basic environmental education that ultimately will instill knowledge of and long-term appreciation. At the same time, they comprise significant demographics for the county. The Regional Parks Foundation raises funds for our Campership Program, encompassing both summer day camping and outdoor, residential environmental education camp component. The Campership Program’s goal is to make camp, swimming lessons, and other outdoor learning and recreational experiences accessible to all children of the East Bay by providing 90-100% of camp fees and tuition for those most in need. This grant request focuses on Camp Arroyo, the East Bay Regional Park District’s environmental residential camp nestled in the Livermore Valley. Camp Arroyo is a collaboration between the Regional Parks Foundation, the East Bay Regional Park District, the YMCA of the East Bay, and other community organizations that serve disadvantaged children and youth. The YMCA of the East Bay, through a special partnership agreement, operates Camp Arroyo year ‘round. Camp Arroyo’s innovative curriculum incorporates hands-on experiences across multi-subject areas and helps East Bay schools meet the California State requirements for environmental education. Funding from the CCCFW will help underwrite the participation of 40 low-income students and 5 chaperones from Contra Costa County in 4-day residential visits each school year. Young people and their educators from schools like Richmond’s Nystrom Elementary, San Pablo’s Tara Hills Elementary, and Bay Point’s Rio Vista Elementary partake of an immersed, transformative experience of nature which can underpin a lifetime of environmental stewardship and concern for wildlife resources.

b. How this project meets the requirements of Section 13103 of the Fish & Game Code – Our Project aligns squarely with “(a) Public education relating to the scientific principles of fish and wildlife conservation, consisting of supervised formal instruction carried out pursuant to a planned curriculum and aids to education such as literature, audio and video recordings, training models, and nature study facilities.”

3. Project Schedule – We will expend any Wildlife Propagation Fund award on Camp Arroyo 4-day residential campership costs for low-income Contra Costa County elementary school students during School Year 2015-20216 (mid-September 2015 through mid-June 2016).

Regional Parks Foundation to the Contra Costa County Fish & Wildlife Propagation Fund 01/05/15 3pp. 2

4. Project Budget – We respectfully request $10,000, which will serve 40 students and 5 chaperones. The cost per student to attend Camp Arroyo is $260 per week, including a $35 co-pay required of each student. Because of the special arrangement between the Park District, Foundation and YMCA of the East Bay, 100% of the funds raised for Camp Arroyo from the Regional Parks Foundation go directly to low-income student participation. We will provide a full report on the disposition of the Fund’s award by 12/31/15.

Regional Parks Foundation School Year 2015-2016 Contra Costa County Youth Environmental Education Camperships Project Budget

REVENUE Contra Costa County Fish & Wildlife Propagation Fund 10,000 TOTAL REVENUE 10,000 EXPENSE Camperships @ $225 ea. for 40 Contra Costa County grade 4-6 students 9,000 Subsidies for 5 Adult Teachers and Chaperones at $200 1,000 TOTAL EXPENSE 10,000 TOTAL REVENUE 10,000 BALANCE FORWARD ON 06/15/16 0

5. Organizational Budget – Regional Parks Foundation 2015 Budget REVENUE Private gifts, grants, bequests $1,315,000 Investment return 60,000 Contributed services & property _ 740,721 TOTAL REVENUE $2,115,721 EXPENSE Fundraising $200,000 Scholarships 300,000 General & Administrative 314,957 Support for EBRPD 1,434,561 TOTAL EXPENSE $2,249,518

6. Applying Organization’s Description, Board of Directors, & Affiliates -- For 45 years, the Regional Parks Foundation has worked in support of the East Bay Regional Park District. The Foundation’s mission as a federally tax-exempt 501(C)(3) organization is to support the East Bay Regional Parks through fundraising that provides broader public access, resource protection and preservation, education and recreational programs, and the acquisition of parklands. One of our top priorities is to ensure that underserved populations have equal access to the East Bay Regional Park District’s parks, trails, programs, and services that have been an important part of the quality of life in the East Bay community for 80 years. Last year, we made it possible for more than 4,000 disadvantaged young people to connect with nature by going to camp, learning to swim, or participating in environmental education programs. Our distinguished Board of Directors includes:

Regional Parks Foundation to the Contra Costa County Fish & Wildlife Propagation Fund 01/05/15 3pp. 3

Officers President William Acevedo - Wendel, Rosen, Black, & Dean (510) 834-6600 Vice-President William Yarborough - Bank of America (925) 692-8516 Treasurer John Dilsaver - Real Estate Broker Secretary Robert Jacques - Destination Wealth Management (925) 935-2900

Directors At-Large Jess Brown, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (415) 973-0369 Christina Clark, Artistic Studios (415) 284-8256 Chip Conradi, The Clorox Company (510) 271-7192 Cynthia Deaver Wells Fargo Asset Mgmt. 415/396-1610 Mark Hughes, DC Solar Solutions 925/ 228-3727 Jenny Mack, Kaiser Permanente of Northern California (925) 279-4829

Thomas Meier, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. (510) 271-2616 Tim Sbranti Mayor, City of Dublin (925) 833-6663 George Sloan, Education Consultant Rand H. Swenson, Retired Refinery Manager (925) 768-0841 Keith Turner, Safeway, Inc. (925) 467-2212

7. Statement of Qualifications Camp Arroyo first opened in 2001 and is run through a partnership with the YMCA of the East Bay. The 138- acre facility adjoins Del Valle Regional Park outside of Livermore, has a residential capacity of 144, and among other recognitions is a 2005 Governor’s Environmental & Economic Leadership Award winner for Children’s Environmental Education, and a 2003 Excellence in Green Design Award winner from the American Institute of Architects (San Francisco Chapter). The YMCA of the East Bay has the depth of experience, diversity in staffing and programming, professional development methodology, and strategic commitment needed to work effectively with low-income urban youth. In short, Camp Arroyo is ideally-suited to provide the well-supervised, authentic, culturally-competent experience that will help to instill an environmental stewardship ethic in even the most urbanized of young people.

A central goal of the program is to foster critical thinking about the environment and help students develop creative solutions to issues that they will encounter throughout their lives. Through a series of fun, hands-on activities the students will increase their understanding of and respect for the environment and each other. The intensive, project-based curriculum fully addresses the California State Frameworks and Standards. 8. List of individuals responsible for performing project and of individuals responsible for overseeing project.

a. Performing the Project 1. May Myers, Program Director, Outdoor Environmental Education, YMCA of the East Bay 2. Angie Swank, Senior Program Director, YMCA of the East Bay

b. Overseeing the Project 3. Bria Cartwright, Executive Director, Camping Services YMCA of the East Bay 4. Nancy Baglietto, Director of Operations, Programs, & Development, Regional Parks Foundation

Please Note: Items 9. And 10. in the Guidelines are moot for this Project.

Our thanks to the Contra Costa County Fish & Wildlife Committee for the opportunity to apply.