The Big Sur Land Trust (BSLT) released the results of a study today detailing wildlife movement in the Highway 68 corridor and the area around Marks Ranch, Toro County Park and Fort Ord Natural Reserve – protected lands that sit at the north end of the Sierra de Salinas Mountains (on the east side of Highway 68) and the lowland and coastal habitats toward Monterey Bay (on the west side of Highway 68). The study, conducted by Connectivity for Wildlife LLC (www.cfwildlife.com) and funded by the Land Trust, shows that this region facilitates a high degree of wildlife activity. Most notably, the study identifies one of the last remaining safe linkages for animals moving between these protected lands at a currently undeveloped area that exists between the relatively dense housing along San Benancio Road (on the east) and Toro Creek Estates (on the west). Between October 2008 and December 2009, 404 individual detections were recorded of animals moving through a single location within this area – a large bridge underpass on Highway 68 at El Toro Creek. Mountain lions, gray foxes, bocats, coyotes, deer and North American badgers were among the species found to utilize this passageway. This high volume of passages likely indicates that this site and surrounding habitat is providing important connectivity for multiple species and serves as a critical pathway or corridor for animal movement.

“This study sheds important light on animal movement patterns in an area that is a priority for the Land Trust because of our significant investment in Marks Ranch and in conservation easements in the Sierra de Salinas,” said Bill Leahy, Executive Director of The Big Sur Land Trust. “Our support of this study was prompted by our interest in better understanding the needs of wildlife on our property and what they require to thrive in their natural habitats. This type of information is important in that it can help to inform natural resource planning and the design of conservation agreements to meet the needs of both people and surrounding wildlife communities.”

The Big Sur Land Trust purchased the 816-acre Marks Ranch near Salinas in May 2007. The Land Trust was interested in protecting the Ranch’s natural characteristics, including its wildlife habitat, as well as providing additional parkland for public recreational use. Soon after the Land Trust acquired the property, Jessica Quinn, a UC Davis graduate student studying North American badger populations on Fort Ord with support from the California Department of Fish and Game, reported that a young badger had crossed Highway 68 several times from Fort Ord to Marks Ranch during the mating season. To build on this research and to develop a better understanding of wildlife activity and movement on Marks Ranch and the surrounding area, BSLT contracted with wildlife connectivity biologist Tanya Diamond and wildlife track and sign specialist Casey McFarland of Connectivity for Wildlife (CFW) to document wildlife sightings and signs on the Ranch. The team documented wildlife movement on the ranch through track and sign identification and the use of photographic “trap” stations, and used the data collected from the field observations to “ground truth” habitat suitability models used to predict likely animal movement patterns. The information gathered through this process determined that Marks Ranch provides important habitat for many species of wildlife. In August 2008 the study was expanded beyond Marks Ranch, focusing on the north end of the Sierra de Salinas Mountains and the area around Marks Ranch, Toro County Park, and the Fort Ord Natural Reserve. The report released today – The Central Coast Connectivity Project, Northern Monterey County Linkages: Report on the Mount Toro to Fort Ord Reserve Study 2008-2009 – discusses data collected from a monitoring period of October 2008-December 2009.

“Habitat linkages, or wildlife corridors, provide a way for species to access necessary resources, such as food and water, provide safe access for juvenile dispersal out of their parental home range, and facilitate movement between habitat patches for wildlife to find suitable mates,” said Tanya Diamond, principal investigator for CFW. “This study has shown us that this habitat linkage is providing all these functions to multiple species and their young. Through recording multiple species using field camera stations and formal wildlife tracking methods, wildlife movement patterns within the area have been documented. This has helped to identify critical habitat necessary for wildlife movement to maintain healthy populations of these species.”

CFW’s documentation of wildlife activity and movement at Marks Ranch was recently used to help secure funding to support the transfer of the eastern 624 acres of Marks Ranch to Monterey County Parks for annexation to Toro County Park. During the last several years BSLT has worked with the County to apply for state acquisition funds for County Parks to purchase the backcountry of the property and ensure that the land remains as open space permanently. Last month the state Wildlife Conservation Board approved a grant of $2.185 million (Proposition 40 funds) to the County for this purpose, recognizing the value of Marks Ranch as a highly active wildlife movement, breeding and habitat area.

Studies like CFW’s will also help the Land Trust inform statewide and regional initiatives such as the California Wildlife Action Plan 2007(www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/wap/report.html). This plan, which is to be updated over the next 5 years, identifies species and habitats of greatest conservation need throughout the state. CFW’s work will provide important on-the-ground data on wildlife movements and habitat connectivity in our region, which may help leverage future funding to help the Land Trust and others focus their resources in areas of greatest need. The study may also inform other landscape level projects such as The California Essential Habitat Connectivity Project (www.dfg.ca.gov/habcon/connectivity/) and California Climate Adaptation Strategy (www.climatechange.ca.gov/adaptation/).

Founded in 1978, the mission of The Big Sur Land Trust is to conserve the significant lands and waters of California’s Central Coast for all generations. In collaboration with partners and the community, BSLT has protected more than 30,000 acres of land since its inception. The Land Trust is committed to pursuing land and water conservation work that strengthens our communities and inspires a stewardship ethic so that Monterey County can maintain its unique and special place in the world. The goal and commitment of the Land Trust is to pursue resource conservation that supports the well-being of land and people and sustains our region’s unique quality of life for us all. For more information visit www.bigsurlandtrust.org