FORB 2014 New Years Day Event!

30+ people walked, biked or carpooled for hot beverages and goodies before a brief discussion on the tree mitigation project and then a tour of the planting site now underway at the park. At least three generations were present at the event including new and familiar faces. A coyote  crossed the mound and levee in full view to the group as it headed down to the river. 

A good way to arrive on a sunny day

A very good group turned out and was treated to hot beverages & goodies before hiking down to the mitigation planting site.

Always lots to see and do at Sutter's Landing Park.

The tree mitigation work was taken on by the city after staff unnecessarily destroyed a stand of cottonwoods in a detention basin. Members of the city-appointed committee were present to give some background as the group walked to the triangle parcel east of the mound and mainly visible from west bound business I-80. The city has done a good job of follow through on this matter. Native species of trees and shrubs have been planted and are now being maintained under city contract. The plants have mulch and are watered by a system that has been installed to deliver hauled in water. The final report approved by the city council is available here and includes a number of recommendations to preserve existing habitat, restore habitat, and involve the public. (http://www.cityofsacramento.org/parksandrecreation/pdf/sutters-l-p_sltrm-approved-report.pdf)

Detention basin near the triangle parcel where a stand of cottonwood trees were cut down. The current mitigation planting will replace this loss.

Looking at recent planting activity at the site. Deer fencing is not thought to be necessary but monitoring is part of the project.

Hopefully another kind of forest will grow here.

Earlier 2013 view of Elderberry bushes on the UP railroad portion of the triangle parcel that were cut by billboard crew. These shrubs provide potential habitat for the Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle, a federal threatened species.

Parks and Recreation commissioner Jeff Harris gave the group an overview of the many issues and activities around SLP. He indicated that the current intent is to preserve and feature natural habitat/open space values at the park as has been requested by a majority of the public. There are ongoing projects and landfill operations that need to be considered and integrated into this long term vision. 

Sutter's Landing Park issues & future discussion with Parks and Recreation Commissioner Jeff Harris.

On the way back walking along the river the group noted the low water dry conditions present there. A number of wildlife and their signs were seen with the highlight being watching a young peregrine falcon swoop through a group of common goldeneyes before perching across the river in a ghost cottonwood snag. An appropriate sighting given the recovery of this species  after nearly losing it to toxic chemicals and other human impacts. Peregrine falcons were recently delisted from the California Endangered Species Act after careful status evaluation (https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=9911). This stretch of the river and former landfill/park need similar help to restore habitat and wildlife populations to a healthy condition. 

A young Peregrine falcon put on a show for the group by swooping on a group of nervous Goldeneye ducks before perching across the river in a ghost cottonwood snag.

A nearby scene but not part of the day's activities.

The group also noted increased signs of human disturbance in the park including litter, vegetation destruction, fires, slope trampling and fireworks debris. More work is needed with all of these issues at the park.

2014 is off to a good and hopeful start at Sutter's Landing Park with its many natural resource and open space values. There are many issues and activities that need careful evaluation, participation and oversight to insure that these vales will continue to remain far into the future.