the ecology of asilomar
DESCRIPTION
Invited presentation given to the Visiting Fulbright Scholars Conference at Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds November 23, 2013. The talk given by, Cyndi Dawson CA State Park Environmental Scientist, described the main habitat types, rare species and setting of the natural environment at Asilomar. She provided a focus on how CA State Parks fits into the government structure of California, sources of funding for her work and the presentation of a case study on the successful restoration of 20 hectares of coastal bluff and active coastal dune habitat at Asilomar. She finished her presentation with a short discussion of the current challenges facing CA State Parks and some of the ways these challenges are being discussed both within and outside the agency.TRANSCRIPT
The Ecology Asilomar
Cyndi L. Dawson Environmental Scientist
e·col·o·gy
[ih-kol-uh-jee]noun 1. the branch of biology dealing with the
relations and interactions between organisms and their environment, including other organisms.
2. Also called human ecology. the branch of sociology concerned with the spacing and interdependence of people and institutions.
Also, oecology.
e·col·o·gy
[ih-kol-uh-jee]nounthe branch of biology dealing with the relations and interactions between organisms and their environment, including the interdependence of people and natural environment.Also, oecology.
• Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds - 43 hectares
• Restored Dunes – 22 hectares
• Fragmented/Urban Closed Pine Forest and Transition Forest – 18 hectares
UNIT Classification
Restore ecosystem function and services
UNIT Classification
Restore ecosystem function and services
State Beaches [PRC § 5019.56 (c)] consist of areas with frontage on the ocean or bays and managed to provide swimming, boating, fishing, and other beach-oriented recreational activities.
Asilomar History
Asilomar History
Asilomar History
HUMAN
IMPA
CTS
$$Money, Money, Money$$
280 CA State Parks covering over 600,000 hectares
Budget for all parks excluding Asilomar for FY13/14 is ~$490 million
Funded solely through a contract
Natural Resources Management of ~$300,000 annual including staffing ( 1 scientist and 3 full time field staff)
Current Dune Management
Non-native defense
Increase species richness
Improve linkages with surrounding restored dunes
Increase density of rare, threatened and endangered species
DIVERSITY
RESILENCE
SUSTAINABILITY
Success?
5 endangered/threatened plants and 2 animal species of concern have self sustaining populations
Only on-going maintenance is non-native defense; no additional water or methods used
~95% native plant cover
Recipe for Success
Clear directive and mandate within Department
Dedicated staff member to oversee project
Willingness to think BIG
Secure funding for project
Large amount of local community support
Long-term commitment
Sustaining Success
CA State Parks received an 18% budget cut from FY 12/13 to FY 13/14
Revenue generation
Little Hoover Report March 2013 Change in centralized model Increase partnerships Change in Department culture
CollaborationPartnerships
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