Sonoma State University
OP-11: Biodiversity

The Galbreath Wildlands Preserve is a 3,670 acre area in the Coast Range of northern California that was donated to SSU by Fred Burckhalter Galbreath in 2004. The Galbreath Wildlands Preserve is representative of the Upper Rancheria and Navarro watersheds. Relatively steep, low order headwater streams have been affected by logging and grazing. Key management challenges include reducing erosion from old logging roads, and controlling feral pigs (Sus scrofa) and invasive plants, such as scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) and yellow-star thistle (Centaurea solstitialis). Sudden oak death was recently discovered on the Preserve and declines in some oak species, especially tanoak is anticipated, causing an increase in standing deadwood. The 450-acre Fairfield Osborn Preserve lies at the top of Sonoma Mountain overlooking Valley of the Moon to the north and the Santa Rosa Plain to the west. The Preserve is bisected by Copeland Creek. Due to the lack of fish in this perennial reach, aquatic invertebrate communities are remarkably diverse. Historic land use includes homesteading, woodcutting, and grazing.Management at the Osborn Preserve is focused on invasive species control, particularly in grassland habitats, and watershed management. The 40-acre Los Guillicos Preserve lies in the Valley of the Moon at the foot of Hood Mountain in the Mayacamas Mountain Range. Oak woodlands of the Preserve are within the Sonoma Creek Watershed.Research is encouraged, but is currently limited to one project with includes long-term micro-meteorological monitoring. The barns on the property are used by the Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue under contract with SSU as a flight aviary for rehabilitating wild raptors.

We use special status species assessments, plant and animal surveys, habitat quality assessments, species lists, periodic species-specific surveys, long-term population monitoring, and cultural resource plants to identify and assess the status of vulnerable species, habitats, and cultural sites. On-going assessment and monitoring include a special status species assessment, riparian restoration project, and cultural resource plan at the Galbreath Wildlands Preserve. At the Osborn Preserve, we undertake water quality monitoring in fish habitat, wildlife camera traps to monitor mountain lion movement, long-term population monitoring for fairy shrimp, and cultural resource plan at the Fairfield Osborn Preserve. Grasslands and riparian habitats at both the Osborn and Galbreath preserves are regularly assessed for invasive species and maps are kept of removal activities.

Habitats: Riparian vegetation and wetlands at the Osborn and Galbreath Preserve Environmentally Sensitive Areas: archaeological sites at Osborn, Galbreath and Los Guillicos Preserves Invertebrates: Pacific Fairy Shrimp Plants: Franciscan Onion, White-flowered Rein Orchid, Santa Cruz Clover Fish: Steelhead Frog: Yellow legged frog, Red Legged Frog Turtle: Western Pond Turtle Birds: 77 species, primarily migratory Bat: Yuma Myotis Rodent: Sonoma Tree Vole Cats: Mountain lion

The application process for access to preserve lands includes a description of proposed activities. Researchers and classes are required to submit copies of state and federal permits. Rare plant populations are flagged and GPS locations are entered into preserve GIS databases to ensure that they are not disturbed. As part of the Waters Collaborative, we work with students to evaluate habitat quality for red-legged frog and propose management actions that will improve habitat at one of our ponds. Data are compiled into database.

Claudia Luke, lukec@sonoma.edu