Habitat Conservation & Stewardship
Working Group Focus

This working group focuses on protecting, expanding, and enhancing the stream and riparian system of Sonoma County as one of the top three actions to take for both adapting to climate change and minimizing its causes. The challenge set by participants of the recent Watershed Climate Change Adaptation Conference in Rohnert Park is to restore 100% of the Sonoma County Riparian zones by 2020.

The purpose of this group is to engage in: advocacy, education (on the importance of intact streams/riparian zones & setbacks), community engagement, technical guidance, stream & riparian protection and enhancement/restoration, landowner compliance and buy in, establishing values & benefits to protect and steward stream & riparian systems, developing high leverage and becoming a comprehensive catalyst for positive change.

Climate Change Adaptation Strategies identified at the recent conference that this group will directly address include: Consolidate Knowledgebase, Implement Adaptive Management, Invest in Diversity, Strengthening Collaboration, and Engage Private Landowners.

The group is currently developing a clearly defined set of goals, objectives, outcomes, and meeting structure. If interested, please sign up and join in the discussions.
 
Group Outcomes
  1. 100% of available Sonoma County Riparian habitat function restored by 2020.
  2. A network of landowners demonstrating stream & riparian stewardship best management practices by 2012.
  3. Engaged private landowners  actively participating in county-wide stream-stewardship groups.
  4. Diverse conditions created for implementing restoration and within the working group.
 
Group Objectives
  1. By 2011 convince the Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority to prioritize policy and work related to the stream and riparian system.
  2. Create a Regional North Bay (by county) Climate Change Adaptation Plan by 2015.
  3. Have a firm participation committment from 30-50%of streamside landowners (e.g. SCWA) by 2010.
  4. Secure participation of at least 50% of agricultural stakeholders by 2015.
  5. Secure funding for at least 25% of the needed restoration work by 2015.
  6. Engange natural resources economist and initiate economic analysis of potential climate change impacts per county by 2015.
  7. Create a series of case studies and success stories for stream restoration and stewardship by 2015.
  8. Engage key participants from all North Bay counties by 2011.
  9. Develop and implement a stream/riparian stewardship outreach/education program (implemented by the various existing education programs (NGOs)) by 2015.
 


 

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