Difference between revisions of "Elkhorn Slough Foundation (ESF)"

From CCoWS Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(Links)
 
(27 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
The mission of the Elkhorn Slough Foundation (ESF) is to conserve and restore the [[Elkhorn Slough]] and it's watershed<ref name="ESf"> Elkhorn Slough Foundation: [http://www.elkhornslough.org/esnerr/index.htm</ref>.  ESF's conservation efforts focus on four main areas: land acquisition, education, science, and restoration.
+
The Elkhorn Slough Foundation, established in 1982, is both a land trust and a partner to the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve. The two organizations work together with the community, government agencies and other organizations. The foundation took responsibility as a Land Trust in 1997 to become managers of nearly 4,000 acres in the Elkhorn watershed and have been directly involved in the restoration of key habitats including tidal wetlands, coastal prairie, oak woodlands, freshwater ponds, riparian corridors and maritime chaparral.
 +
 
 +
The mission of the Elkhorn Slough Foundation (ESF) is to conserve and restore the Elkhorn Slough and it's watershed<ref name="ESf"> Elkhorn Slough Foundation: [http://www.elkhornslough.org/esnerr/index.htm</ref>.  ESF's conservation efforts focus on four main areas: land acquisition, education, science, and restoration.
 
[[Image:DSCN1497.JPG|thumb|Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve]]
 
[[Image:DSCN1497.JPG|thumb|Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve]]
  
==Elkhorn Slough Highlights==
 
Elkhorn Slough is located on the Central Coast of California and is the largest track of tidal marsh in the state outside of the San Francisco Bay. Elkhorn Slough is a crucial component for preservation of Central Coast biodiversity because it is home to 135 aquatic birds, 550 marine invertebrates, and 102 fish species.  The Elkhorn Slough ecosystem is composed of freshwater wetlands, coastal prairie, and maritime chaparral.  The Moss Landing power plant, the largest electric power generating plant in California, also resides within the slough.  Elkhorn Slough is known for its' extremely active fishing port and also has three state highways and a main Union Pacific Railroad line that regularly passes through it.
 
  
==History==
+
== Land Acquisitions ==
trying to sort through [http://www.elkhornslough.org/history/index.htm this]... maybe this section won't happen...
+
  
==Land Acquisitions==
+
The Elkhorn Slough Foundation (ESF) currently owns the largest amount of land in the Elkhorn Slough watershed.  The Foundation owns approximately 2,600 acres and manages an additional 1,000 acres ('''citation needed''').   
The Elkhorn Slough Foundation (ESF) currently is the largest landowner in the Elkhorn Slough watershed.  The Foundation owns approximately 2,600 acres and manages an additional 1,000 acres.  The land is purchased with the assistance of partners in ecosystem management.
+
 
[[Image:ES protected lands 0309-lr.jpg|thumb|Elkhorn Slough Protected Lands]]
 
[[Image:ES protected lands 0309-lr.jpg|thumb|Elkhorn Slough Protected Lands]]
Ecosystem Management Partners:
 
*California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG)
 
*The Natural Resources Conservation Service
 
*The Resource Conservation District of Monterey County
 
*The California Coastal Conservancy
 
*The Nature Conservancy
 
  
==Education==
+
Partner agencies that assist with land purchasing:
One way that ESF offers education to the public is through their volunteer program where people can make short or long term commitments .<ref name="ES volunteer"> Elkhorn Slough Volunteer Program: [http://www.elkhornslough.org/volunteer/index.htm</ref>. Volunteers are always needed and anyone is free to come by the visitors center where experienced naturalists are open for questions. The Elkhorn Slough website offers and interactive experience for students where they can learn about species identification, slough vocabulary and get the latest news, games and pictures<ref name="ES Student Education"> Elkhorn Slough Student Education: [http://www.elkhornslough.org/education/students/index.htm</ref>. One of the most innovative aspects of the ESF is that they consistently offer interactive workshops for teachers <ref name="ES Teacher"> Elkhorn Slough teacher workshops flyer: [http://www.elkhornslough.org/education/teachers/TTWflyer2011.pdf</ref>.  These workshops help teachers prepare for field trips to Elkhorn Slough or just keeping their class informed on how to be the best stewards of the land.  The most innovative and successful program that ESF offers is the Coastal Training Program<ref name="Coastal Outreach Training Program"> Coastal Outreach Training Program:http://www.elkhornsloughctp.org/ Coastal Outreach Program</ref> which educates decision makers from all parts of the community.  This crucial program works to educate key decision makers on the importance of preserving the Elkhorn Slough ecosystem.
+
 
 +
* [http://www.dfg.ca.gov/ California Department of Fish and Game]
 +
* [http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ The Natural Resources Conservation Service]
 +
* [http://www.rcdmonterey.org/ The Resource Conservation District of Monterey County]
 +
* [http://scc.ca.gov/ The California Coastal Conservancy]
 +
* [http://www.nature.org/ The Nature Conservancy]
 +
 
 +
== Education ==
 +
The ESF offers educational opportunities in hopes of promoting conservation and awareness of issues impacting the local natural resources. Opportunites are available to students, teachers, general public, and decision makers.
 +
 
 +
Features of the [http://www.elkhornslough.org/education/index.htm Educational Program] :
 +
* visitor center
 +
* lab to explore microscopic organisms
 +
* interactive teacher workshops
 +
* fields trips accommodating kindergarten to high school
 +
 
 +
[http://www.elkhornsloughctp.org/ The Coastal Training Program] educates decision makers from all parts of the community.  This crucial program works to educate key decision makers on the importance of preserving the Elkhorn Slough ecosystem.
 +
 
 +
== Science and Research ==
  
==Science and Research==
+
Science and research are critical to learning more about [[Elkhorn Slough]].  The [[Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (ESNERR)]] is the hub of research at the Slough.  ESF and [[ESNERR]] are partners in supporting outreach, education and research at [[Elkhorn Slough]].  ESF offers a wide variety of opportunities to students to conduct research or participate in internships.  Graduate research fellowships that are focused on improving coastal stewardship are also offered to any students interested<ref name="Fellowships"> Graduate Research Fellowships with the Elkhorn Slough Foundation:http:http://www.elkhornslough.org/research/grf_main.htm</ref>.  This program gives students the opportunity to perform research that helps people to better understand issues at a local, regional and national level.  Graduate research fellowship grants are available to students enrolled in a full-time master's or doctoral program with an accredited university.
Science and research are critical to learning more about the Elkhorn Slough.  The [[Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (ESNERR)]] is the hub of research at the Slough.  ESF and ESNERR are partners in supporting outreach, education and research at the Elkhorn Slough.  ESF offers a wide variety of opportunities to students to conduct research or participate in internships.  Graduate research fellowships that are focused on improving coastal stewardship are also offered to any students interested<ref name="Fellowships"> Graduate Research Fellowships with the Elkhorn Slough Foundation:http:http://www.elkhornslough.org/research/grf_main.htm</ref>.  This program gives students the opportunity to perform research that helps people to better understand issues at a local, regional and national level.  Graduate research fellowship grants are available to students enrolled in a full-time master's or doctoral program with an accredited university.
+
  
==ESF Restoration Projects==
+
== ESF Restoration Projects ==
ESF has several ongoing restoration projects.  The Elkhorn Slough Tidal Wetland Project (TWP) main goals are to conserve existing high quality estuarine habitats and restore degraded estuarine habitats.  The TWP is a collaborative effort to involve over one hundred estuarine habitat stakeholders in ecosystem management.  One TWP project that is currently under construction is the Parsons Slough Restoration Project.
+
  
Elkhorn Slough Tidal Wetland Project ([http://www.elkhornslough.org/tidalwetlandproject/index.html])
+
[http://www.elkhornslough.org/tidalwetlandproject/index.html Elkhorn Slough Tidal Wetland Project]:This project was formed in 2004 as a collaborative effort to involve over one hundred estuarine habitat stakeholders in ecosystem management. The TWP aims to develop and implement strategies to conserve and restore estuarine habitats in the Elkhorn Slough watershed. Those involved include coastal resource managers, scientific experts, representatives from key regulatory and jurisdictional entities, leaders of conservation organizations, and community members.
  
Parsons Slough Restoration Project ([http://www.elkhornslough.org/tidalwetland/parsons.htm])
+
Tidal Wetland Restoration Projects:
 +
*Parsons Slough is currently being restored through the construction of a sill (underwater wall) to slow the movement of water out of the slough in order to decrease the loss of marshland.
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
Line 38: Line 47:
 
==Links==
 
==Links==
  
* [[The Carneros Watershed]]
+
*[[The Carneros Watershed]]
 +
*[[ESNERR]]
 +
*[[Elkhorn Slough]]
 +
*[[Potential watershed impacts on Elkhorn Slough]]
 +
*[[Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (ESNERR)#Links|Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve Final Management Plan 2007-2011]]

Latest revision as of 10:51, 4 April 2019

The Elkhorn Slough Foundation, established in 1982, is both a land trust and a partner to the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve. The two organizations work together with the community, government agencies and other organizations. The foundation took responsibility as a Land Trust in 1997 to become managers of nearly 4,000 acres in the Elkhorn watershed and have been directly involved in the restoration of key habitats including tidal wetlands, coastal prairie, oak woodlands, freshwater ponds, riparian corridors and maritime chaparral.

The mission of the Elkhorn Slough Foundation (ESF) is to conserve and restore the Elkhorn Slough and it's watershed[1]. ESF's conservation efforts focus on four main areas: land acquisition, education, science, and restoration.

Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve


Land Acquisitions

The Elkhorn Slough Foundation (ESF) currently owns the largest amount of land in the Elkhorn Slough watershed. The Foundation owns approximately 2,600 acres and manages an additional 1,000 acres (citation needed).

Elkhorn Slough Protected Lands

Partner agencies that assist with land purchasing:

Education

The ESF offers educational opportunities in hopes of promoting conservation and awareness of issues impacting the local natural resources. Opportunites are available to students, teachers, general public, and decision makers.

Features of the Educational Program :

  • visitor center
  • lab to explore microscopic organisms
  • interactive teacher workshops
  • fields trips accommodating kindergarten to high school

The Coastal Training Program educates decision makers from all parts of the community. This crucial program works to educate key decision makers on the importance of preserving the Elkhorn Slough ecosystem.

Science and Research

Science and research are critical to learning more about Elkhorn Slough. The Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (ESNERR) is the hub of research at the Slough. ESF and ESNERR are partners in supporting outreach, education and research at Elkhorn Slough. ESF offers a wide variety of opportunities to students to conduct research or participate in internships. Graduate research fellowships that are focused on improving coastal stewardship are also offered to any students interested[2]. This program gives students the opportunity to perform research that helps people to better understand issues at a local, regional and national level. Graduate research fellowship grants are available to students enrolled in a full-time master's or doctoral program with an accredited university.

ESF Restoration Projects

Elkhorn Slough Tidal Wetland Project:This project was formed in 2004 as a collaborative effort to involve over one hundred estuarine habitat stakeholders in ecosystem management. The TWP aims to develop and implement strategies to conserve and restore estuarine habitats in the Elkhorn Slough watershed. Those involved include coastal resource managers, scientific experts, representatives from key regulatory and jurisdictional entities, leaders of conservation organizations, and community members.

Tidal Wetland Restoration Projects:

  • Parsons Slough is currently being restored through the construction of a sill (underwater wall) to slow the movement of water out of the slough in order to decrease the loss of marshland.

References

  1. Elkhorn Slough Foundation: [http://www.elkhornslough.org/esnerr/index.htm
  2. Graduate Research Fellowships with the Elkhorn Slough Foundation:http:http://www.elkhornslough.org/research/grf_main.htm

Elkhorn Slough Acquired Lands Map

Links