Day 2 - Conversations with Jeff Wilcox

This morning we met with Jeff Wilcox, a reserve steward of Blue Oak Ranch since 1997. Along with a hike to Bond Pond, he provided us with more information on the history, challenges and opportunities UC Berkeley faced with the land donation in December 2007. The intention is to change the landscape back into a field station where questions can be asked, with opportunities to research issues of environment and place. As of 1997; a number of control measures were implemented to encourage native wildlife and vegetation to thrive in the Blue Oak Ranch Research. We also discussed how a design/build studio can help to design and support the future programmatic needs for ENVISIONING AN ECOLOGICAL FIELD STATION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY.

History / Blue Oak Ranch Reserve

1880's - Part of the Spanish Land Grant acquired land called Rancho Canada de Pala

1925 - European Wild pigs introduced to Monterey County

1942 - Joseph Grant (aka: Joseph Park) - who was friends with Lilian Stanford and Herbert Hoover - died in 1942; His family began selling off his property. His daughter sold it to guy names Homes.

1970's land sold to developers - McDonalds Foundation; who had intentions to dam up springs and create ranchettes. However, due to CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act), archeological constraints, and a fault line running through the property the development was not viable.

1980's land sold it to dot.com types - leased it to a family that grazed it and had up to 250 cattle - which was way too much density because there are steep slope; no soil development. Such environmental conditions only allow for 90 cow's max. During this time and under the WIlliamson Act, the current 5,000 SF barn structure was built. The act allowed 1 non-living support structure to allow to be built without building permit; or an archeology review.

1990's Blue Oak Trust a conservationist buyer purchased the land and took all cattle were off land; except 1 bull named "gramps" who was here until 1993, and an area is named after him.

2000's Working with Nature Conservancy; Jeff Wilcox helped to write easements to be registered in Washington DC.

2006 - Supersedes the Easement report with Nature Conservancy. (see google document: Blue Oak Reserve Letter Agreement

Problems with Land 1990's

The main issues with the land in the 1990's were the Ferrel Pigs, diseases (ie:BP) and non-native predators (ie: non-native fishes) that were killing the vertebrates and causing non-native species to thrive. The perennial native plants were also being over taken by non-native annual plants.

• Ferrel Pigs - Jeff Wilcox was hired in 1997 by the Nature Conservancy to hunt and haze the wild pigs and build 10 miles of "defendable" fence to keep pigs out. In 1997 there were 60 pigs in a sounder. (there currently is 2500 acres fenced costing more than $1,000,000+
• "Yellow Star Thistle" invasive weeds - Grows with ground disturbance; pigs caused best conditions for germination of yellow star thistle. from the pigs. The "seed bank" lives for 10-12 years.
• "Medusa Head" invasive weeds with high level of silica in the walls. The weeds don't break down; creating a thick thatch level where sun cannot get to. This mulch kills off and excludes native and other non-native grasses.
• BD - disease - naturalized disease to look as spread of BD to kill frogs. To prevent contamination from pool to pool, one must disinfect - 10% chlorine bleach shower.

Opportunities with Land 1990's

The 3,260 acre land parcel is part of and supports a migration corridor within the Mount Hamilton Range. The oak savanna with interspersed riparian land holds a rich history of archaeological artifacts and there are site registered for Native people's. There also are a series of perennial ponds, "Big Pond" is the largest covering 3 acres. And a habitat that has created the right conditions for a number of endangered vertebrates.

Vertebrates

The last survey was done in 2004. As the species listed below; it is important to preserve the water and land environments. Water and land environments are important to preserve.

• California Tiger Salamander - These endangered species are located in every single pond. Part of the "Ambystomatidae" family, this species live 90% of life in gopher holes. They come up above ground to mate and breed in the ponds. The larva breath oxygen through their gills in the ponds until they mature and grow limbs and poisonous tail. It has been observed that the tiger salamanders can travel up to 2 kilometers. Predators include raccoons, which can eat Salamanders; except their tails.
• Foothills Yellow-legged frogs - a stream frog.
• Western Turtles - "Turtle Pond" Using "Upland Habitat" - above the water.
• California Red Legged frogs - will only move when things are moist. These amphibians can move a couple of miles.

Control

There were a number of man-made attempts to restore the habitat and environment to it's native state so the land can be used as a field station to conduct research. Such attempts to restore the natural habitat include Controlled Fires, Drainage of all ponds, and legal changes to the Easement.

Controlled Fire

• California hasn't had big fire for 60 years.
  
  
  • Burn with into the wind; burns more slowly and burns more fuel. Burn in spring - "Mosaic Fires"
  • Head fires - fires burn with the wind. Skips areas; uncontrollable
• prescribed 500 acre fire. Reduce big layer of fuel. Give local fire department knowledge of this land.
• Research - how does it affect native grasses; how does it affect gophers.

Drained out all ponds

• By draining out all the ponds, the tiger salamanders came back in all ponds. Also Red legged frogs come back and have created a viable population in a few ponds.

Grant Easements

The grant easement includes a map splitting the land up into two main areas. The Compatible Use zone, which allows new construction pending UC Planning and CEQA review.

Compatible Use Zone.

A few constrictions include:

• 500 feet to buffer the roads.
• Facility - 1000 acres to site facilities. 10 acres can be developed. Upper additional 11,200 SF more - Barn, Cabin 400 SF - "free square footage"
• All ponds have a 100 feet offset to building.

Program / Blue Oak Ranch Reserve

The program includes the following:

RESIDENCE /WORKSPACE - a sleeping capacity for 50-60 people, bedrooms, workspace, meeting space, social space.

• 30-40 dormitory beds
• 20 long term researchers
• 2 private residences

UTILITY SYSTEM

• solar arrays
• septic