Ecological Concerns Incorporated » Ecological Consulting & Landscape Architecture

Bay Farms Road Habitat Restoration Plan

ECI — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 23:06:58 +0000

A variety of work was performed in order to expand a farm, causing impacts to riparian habitat. Of particular concern was a road placed in a wetland in violation of the Federal Clean Water Act and the State Cologne-Porter Act, ECI assisted the project owner to come into compliance with a Restoration and Mitigation Monitoring Plan that included planting and invasive exotic removal specifications, monitoring requirements, success criteria, and reporting. The revegetation plan was submitted as part of the Streambed Alteration Agreement and 401/404 Clean Water Act permitting processes. ECI also implemented the erosion control plan and provided regular erosion monitoring for the site.

Potrero Nuevo Farm Habitat Management Plan

ECI — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 23:28:38 +0000

Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains within the Tunitas Creek Watershed, the Potrero Nuevo Farm (PNF) is a privately-owned farm and ranch that encompasses nearly 300 acres. Ecological Concerns Incorporated (ECI) was chosen to write the initial biological assessment and habitat management plan in 2008 due to their deep knowledge of native plants and long-term relationship with local farmers. It is a robust assessment of the current biodiversity and strategic planning to enhance and preserve the four main habitats of the property: riparian woodland, wetland, coastal prairie and coastal scrub.These habitats support a diverse mix of both plant and animal species, including habitats for rare and endangered species. The plan focuses on enhancing biological diversity through invasive weed management, grazing management for prairie restoration, and the management of woody debris in creeks and streams.

The property operates as a working farm with 30-40 acres of row crop production fields with crop rotation, cover cropping and sustainable grazing practices in place. The farm prides itself on sustainability; building healthy soils for healthy plants; and its mission to provide organic produce to charity.

As of 2015, the rich habitats of PNF are now permanently protected by an affirmative agricultural conservation easement executed with Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST). ECI implemented many of the strategies suggested in the habitat management plan and trained employees of the farm to properly execute the restoration practices. The relationship between ECI and PNF continues to grow as the farm’s many habitats show success in their management.

Upper Westside LID Landscape Design Grow Build

ECI — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 17:41:57 +0000

This residential client, with a home overlooking beautiful Moore Creek Preserve in Santa Cruz, requested ECI’s help to transform their small front lawn and patio into a more ecological landscape. The client’s goals were to remove the lawn, reduce the footprint of the hardscape patio, create more space for gardening, and to use native plants to extend the natural beauty and habitat of the Preserve into their own yard.

ECI’s landscape designer, Dakotah Bertsch, worked with the client to develop a plan to incorporate their goals into a cohesive vision for the landscape, working in additional ecological features such as a rain garden to harvest stormwater, permeable decomposed granite paths, and a rain water harvesting tank for water storage. Grade changes for the rain garden were achieved using boulders and dry-stacked stone retaining walls, and all soil was kept onsite in order to minimize waste and enhance the sustainability of the project. The lawn and excavated soil from the rain garden were recycled in place to create planting mounds for a palette of carefully selected native plants. Much of the nursery stock used was grown at Central Coast Wilds, ECI’s nursery division, with seeds and cuttings collected from local watersheds.

The installation took a couple of weeks to complete, and included demolition of their older landscape, light grading for the rain garden, construction of the paths, and planting. The landscape was polished off with wood chip mulch to help retain moisture and build soil. Since installation, the plants have started to grow in wonderfully, and we have seen butterflies and other insects enjoying the new habitat. The client has been very involved in gardening and maintenance, and has even opted to get their landscape rated as a Monterey Bay Friendly Landscape – certifying that their landscape is ecologically beneficial, and qualifying them for numerous local discounts. We are excited to see this project continue to serve our client and the community at large!

O’Keefe Open Space Preserve Restoration

ECI — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 18:46:47 +0000

The Town of Los Altos Hills was awarded a large grant for the restoration of and educational outreach about the town’s O’Keefe Open Space Preserve. The funds came from the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s Environmental Enhancement Implementation Grant Program and were used to restore the native riparian habitat of Purisima Creek while teaching students the value of habitat quality along this wildlife corridor. This is the second grant to be awarded to the Town of Los Altos Hills for environmental enhancement of their open spaces with help from Ecological Concerns. Two and half years ago, the funds were directed to Edith Park along Adobe Creek. The restoration at O’Keefe Open Space Preserve was similar to that done at Edith Park. Both creeks had become choked by invasive species, compromising the area’s biodiversity. Most of the grant funded the removal of invasive plants and subsequent revegetation efforts along Purisima creek. This project did not face many problems becuase of the in-house collaboration. ECI is a full service design, grow, build company that can offer a higher level of customer service and quality control. That quality control comes from having one ecological landscaping firm with an in house collaboration between landscape designers, botanists, wildlife biologists and restoration professionals. ECI supports each other as a team and making sure all goals are met.

Hurley Evergreen Forest Design Grow Build

ECI — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 23:41:04 +0000

ECI had the privilege to design and build a rainwater harvesting system that supplies a native evergreen forest in Scotts Valley. ECI was hired in 2014 to develop a custom plant palette for a client looking to provide erosion control to a steep slope. ECI’s lead botanist developed a native plant palette and had Central Coast Wilds propagate and grow the plants. Four months later, ECI installed a mix of native evergreen forest plants at client’s house. A year later a rainwater system was designed and installed to irrigate the native plants.

This rainwater harvesting system features two connected 660-gallon above-ground tanks creating a total capacity of 1,320 gallons. The tanks are tucked into a small space along the side of the house so that they are hidden from view. A level pad was made for the tanks by installing a small retaining wall. The tanks also specified to be low profile, to give the owner the option of building above them in the future. Rainwater is filtered in multiple stages to keep the storage tanks free of debris, and filtered again before being delivered to the irrigation system.

The landscape planting palatte was designed by lead botanist, Ellen Uhler. The landscape and rainwater harvesting system was designed by ECI landscape architect Bobby Markowitz and landscape designer Dakotah Bertsch, The installation by was done by ECI’s crew led by foreman Spencer Dillon.

UCSC Wellness Center Rainwater Harvesting Design

ECI — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 18:27:40 +0000

UC Santa Cruz hired ECI to design a prototype rainwater harvesting system to supply water that flushes the toilets at the Wellness Center. This small scale pilot project will give the
UCSC community an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of rainwater harvesting and re-use at an educational facility. It is expected that this will serve as a prototype for other rainwater catchment systems on UC campuses.
The location was chosen not only for the small-scale applicability but also because the site is accessible to the campus community. The educational benefits include increased awareness about water conservation, rainwater catchment systems, and sustainability as well as reduced municipal water consumption and energy use.

CVRP Habitat Mitigation

ECI — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 22:52:03 +0000

Ecological Concerns worked with HT Harvey and Associates for the creation of 5 acres of wetland habitat and 2 acres of riparian habitat along Fisher Creek bypass channel in San Jose. Central Coast Wilds collected seeds and cutting from within 5 miles of the project site, which were then propagated. The revegetation occurred soon after ECI was finished grading the new wetlands per engineers specifications. Over 700 plants were installed with a temporary irrigation system. Deer fenc- ing was also designed and constructed for the young plants development. The project was complete in 2010. Maintenance and monitoring will continue through 2013.

Star Creek Ranch Invasive Weed Study

ECI — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 22:46:32 +0000

Ecological Concerns’ lead botanist, preformed the invasive weed mapping Star Creek Ranch. The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County acquired the property late 2012. It includes 1,200 acres that extends through the Pajaro Hills. The property’s main attribute is the linkage it creates between the Santa Cruz Mountains to the north and the Gabilan and Diablo ranges to the south and east. The newly protected habitat corridor provides safe passage of mountain lions, deer, bobcats, and other wildlife.

The collection of GIS data of weed populations on the Star Creek Property will help inform and prioritize future removal and control efforts. The areas that receive greater priority are ones that have a heavy invasive population surrounding more sensitive plant populations.

CEMEX Quarry – Revegetation

ECI — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 01:14:13 +0000

Ecological Concerns Incorporated started working with CEMEX in 2005 in accordance to their reclamation and revegetation of diverse native plant habitats of the Bonny Doon Quarries lands. A native plant salvage, seed collection, propagation and increase program has been initiated to provide site-specific plant materials for future revegetation work. Monitoring and performance standards are included to assess project performance and compliance. Revegetation maintenance will occur until planted areas are revegetated and established trees and herbaceous plants are self-sustaining. The larger goal is to maintain local plants’ genetic resources. Meeting all compliance with the California Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975, as amended (SMARA): all sections, including Section 2729 and Section 2733 as specifically designated in the draft EIR (July 2007),Santa Cruz County Mining Regulations, Section 16.54.05, and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Poe St. Rainwater Greywater

ECI — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 20:38:59 +0000

Bobby Markowitz was hired to consult on a closed loop rainwater and greywater system for new home being built in Palo Alto. He calculated that they could collect an average of 25,000 gallons during the rainy season with a reservoir of 3,000 gallons stored for the summer vegetable garden. The system was designed to utilize harvested rainwater for the family’s domestic non-potable uses, such as toilets and washing machine. He then calculated their average greywater output from the washing machine and sinks to design their landscape with what’s called a net zero water use. This means that the landscape should not require more water than what can be produced on site. The entire home’s design and construction has surpassed the LEED assumptions for the project.

Edith Park Restoration at Adobe Creek

ECI — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 22:40:24 +0000

Ecological Concerns Inc collaborated with the Town of Los Altos Hills to secure an $83,000 grant for restoration of a seasonal creek. The native habitats along Adobe Creek in Edith Park were overgrown with invasive species, compromising the area’s biodiversity. By removing invasive species and planting native varieties, the increased native plant diversity along the restored stretch of Adobe Creek and boosted habitat quality along the riparian corridor. Local students volunteered for the planting and ECI provided a hands-on training to compliment their Environmental Science classes. ECI’s crew implemented the erosion control plan for the site, and follow-up maintenance was provided. ECI also developed the Mitigation Monitoring Plan for this project, and performed success monitoring.

Westwind Memory Care

Joe Rigney — Sat, 08 Mar 2014 02:18:17 +0000

Seasons Management is building the Westwind Memory Care facility in Santa Cruz. ECI designed a landscaping plan that focused on locally appropriate, drought tolerant native plants. ECI was also responsible for writing and overseeing the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).

Skyline Ridge Tree Farm Restoration

ECI — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 18:19:52 +0000

The Mid Peninsula Regional Open Space District’s (MROSD’s) Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve is located in San Mateo County, California, approximately 1 mile southeast of the intersection of Skyline Boulevard and Page Mill Road. Originally a Christmas tree farm, this property is being restored to native mixed evergreen forest. Work began in 2008 and continued through 2013. Restoration goals are to increase the quality of wildlife habitat within the project area, and restore native topography and hydrology to the project area in order to reduce sediment loads to nearby Horseshoe Lake, which supports the endangered California Red-Legged Frog. The total project area is approximately 7.1 acres of forest, and 0.3 acres of wetland and riparian habitat. ECI began maintenance and monitoring in spring of 2009 and is continuing their efforts through 2013.

Alba Triple M Ranch Wetland Restoration

ECI — Sun, 23 Feb 2014 22:40:40 +0000

A collaborative effort on the part of the Agriculture and Land Based Training Association (ALBA), Ecological Concerns Incorporated and other organizations resulted in the successful restoration of 40 acres of wetlands on the Triple M Ranch in the Upper Elkhorn Slough watershed. The restoration included returning retired farmland to its historically conditions of native wetland and floodplain habitats. ALBA was awarded a grant from the US EPA because of the species involved and ALBA’s participation as an educational institution. The important species were three federally listed Threatened and Endangered amphibians; the California tiger salamander, Santa Cruz long toed salamander, and the California red legged frog. ECI designed and managed the construction of 17 ponds. After the ponds were built, ECI planted over 50,000 plugs that had been propagated and grown by Central Coast Wilds Nursery. The installation was complete in March 2013 and monitoring will continue by the Coastal Watershed Council.

Leona Quarry Reclamation, Pilot Project

ECI — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 22:49:58 +0000

Ecological Concerns Incorporated was hired to implement an experimental project designed by H.T. Harvey to test various planting and erosion control methods on a mine reclamation project. The project lasted three years with an analysis of anticipated cost versus real costs for implementation.

All irrigation and planting were performed by ECI. The plant maintenance included reconstructing plant basins, weed control, and hand watering plants. These measures were in order to meet find cost effective measures for the mine to meet reclamation standards put forth by federal and state reclamation regulations. They eventually did meet the standards in accordance to their reclamation and revegetation compliance with the California Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975, as amended (SMARA) and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Naval School Restoration

ECI — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 22:45:48 +0000

The Navy had two primary objectives for this project: remove invasive exotic plant species within the Dunes Research Area and conduct a threatened plant study for Monterey gilia (Gilia tenuiflora ssp. arenaria) and Monterey spineflower (Chorizanthe pungens var. pungens), The study specifically addressed how habitat could be made more conducive to seed germination by addition of sand and /or removal of perennial plants. The project included the construction of endangered species protection and revegetation plantings to increase rare plant populations.

MROSD Invasive Weed Control

ECI — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 22:45:29 +0000

Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District asked ECI to conduct invasive control on Italian Thistle, Carduus pycnocephalus, and other invasive species. ECI preformed pre-treatment surveys to advise finalize treatment method and timing. It was concluded that ECI would use a few of prescribed methods at designated sites on three preserves within 300 acres of grasslands and oak woodland. The specified treatment periods were in 2013 and 2014. ECI collected and logged all data before and after treatments to document the success of their efforts. ECI used GIS for mapping and reporting and also entered the data into Calflora Manager website.

ECI crew would hike an average of 10 miles a day while scouting areas for invasive species. Many of the patches of invasives were hidden off the trail and difficult to find. ECI continues to work with MROSD on several of their other properties and has enjoyed seeing the results of the work.

Glenwood Preserve Weed Mapping

ECI — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 22:45:12 +0000

The Glenwood Preserve, located in Scotts Valley, California, consists of approximately 160 acres of various habitat types, including non-native annual grassland, wetland, riparian, native grassland, coyote bush scrub, and mixed evergreen forest. The Preserve is being managed by the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County to preserve sensitive habitats and suitable conditions for the continued population viability of a number of special status insect and plant species on site. As invasive plant species have the potential to interfere with these goals, Ecological Concerns Incorporated (ECI) was contracted to map populations of invasive plant species on the preserve. The map above was produced from data to aid in invasive plant management efforts on the preserve.

Hellyer Ave Native Plant Median Design

ECI — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 22:41:22 +0000

The City of San Jose hired ECI to design a planting plan for several medians in the middle of Hellyer Avenue, as a pilot project to test the viability of native plants for this application. The new 100% native planting scheme will replace traditional non-native landscape plants in order to more closely mimic nearby hills, as well reduce maintenance costs and water requirements. The design features a diverse palette of flowering shrubs and grasses, carefully organized for aesthetic structure and adherence to visibility requirements. Installation is to be completed by City contractors in Fall 2013.

Santa Cruz Metro Stormwater Outfall

ECI — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 20:21:52 +0000

In 2014, the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District requested the assistance of ECI’s consulting team to provide permitting assistance for an outfall replacement project. The outfall was for a new facility’s large parking lot and considered a portion of their stormwater plan. The outfall pipe directs stormwater from the parking lot into the San Lorenzo River and the construction required diligent oversight by our biological consulting team. The Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement for the project required certification by the Regional Water Quality Control Board. The Regional Board determined that Army Corps of Engineers jurisdiction likely applied. ECI collected data and wrote the Wetland Delineation report that was submitted the Corps. As per ECI’s recommendation, the replacement project qualified under the Nationwide General Permit. However, due to the potential presence of endangered species, a Biological Opinion from the US Fish and Wildlife Service was required. Ultimately the project was permitted and implemented. After the project’s success, ECI went on to provide mitigation monitoring and reporting on the habitat restoration associated with the project.