Conservation Confluence February 2019

NEWS FROM WHF

I hope you enjoyed this wet and wild February! With all of the rainfall this month, we are anxiously awaiting the beautiful show of wildflowers on our preserves.

Be sure to your calendar for WHF’s Creek Cleanup on May 4th from 9am-12pm at McBean Park in Lincoln.

See you there!

My best,
Darla Guenzler, Executive Director

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NEW SPECIES ALERT!

The WHF stewardship team conducted comprehensive sampling of vernal pool branchiopods throughout the Rockwell Ranch Preserve in Placer County. Over 150 pools were sampled throughout the property during January and February, 2019.  A wide diversity of characteristic vernal pool invertebrates was observed during the vernal pool sampling, including the federally-listed threatened vernal pool fairy shrimp.

The most exciting news was the discovery in several pools of the midvalley fairy shrimp, a species previously undetected within the property.  This is one of the first verified occurrences of midvalley fairy shrimp in the county! This species is a small (0.28 to 0.79 inch), freshwater crustacean that is found in shallow ephemeral pools (pools that seasonally fill and dry up) within California’s central valley.

-Gaylene Tupen, Lead Biologist

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FIELD TRIP SEASON FUN

We kicked off the 2019 field trip season with a little rain and a lot of fun! With the recent rains, wildlife activity has been phenomenal for students to observe and learn first-hand about the importance of our local wetland habitat. While students trek along the trails scouting for tracks and scat they learn about the wildlife that depend on the wetlands for their survival. The opportunity to examine water samples under microscopes provides a hands-on opportunity to better understand how wetlands are crucial for safekeeping and filtering our water. Through engaging activities, our student visitors are able to connect to nature while cultivating a sense of stewardship for local, native habitat.

-Veronica Griffiths, Education Coordinator

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