Winter 1992

Get Organized

Watershed Management Council members will want to take note of two organizations that have a growing presence in the State of California and throughout the West. Watershed Management, and Riparian Management, are really umbrella terms that encompass a wide variety of interests and disciplines. Your area of expertise may find a home with one of these group:

Society For Ecological Restoration And SERCAL

The Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) is an international organization with goals to further the art and science of ecological restoration and management, and to facilitate communication among restorationists.

SER hosts an annual conference, and provides members with two publications, Restoration and Management Notes, which includes in-depth articles on specific projects and topics, and SER News, a quarterly forum for current issues, news, and ideas. The newly formed SERCAL is the first chapter of SER. SERCAL members receive a quarterly newsletter. The chapter will focus on local issues, such as habitat restoration and erosion control around Lake Tahoe, preservation and restoration of southern coastal sage scrub, and the proposal by the Board of Forestry to register biologists. Current projects include a California restoration database, and a restoration training class. For membership or other information contact SER at 1207 Seminole Highway, Madison, WI 53711 (608) 262-9547, or write SERCAL at 1009 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.

Western States Riparian Council

The charter meeting of the Western States Riparian Council was held in November, 1991. This council has the goal to: "further proper management of riparian systems by enhancing the ability of state riparian organizations to communicate and work together west-wide." (State riparian organizations refers to the variety of riparian associations, councils, and coalitions that exist.) Specific objectives include:

To promote the development and dissemination of information about the functions, processes, values, and proper management of riparian systems.
To foster the formation of state riparian associations in the states west of the 100th meridian.
To facilitate communications among member organizations.
To seek understanding and consensus among state organizations on issues and needs regarding riparian systems.

California was among nine western states at this charter meeting, represented by Jim Clawson (UC Davis Extension). Jim, who attended as a member of the California Riparian Improvement Coalition, (a group of ranchers and conservationists being brought together by the California Section of the Society for Range Management) brought back the following comments: "In general, this is a council of state councils. Organizational materials are being developed and will be mailed later this year. I would appreciate ideas on : 1) How to identify and communicate with possibly interested organizations in California, and 2) How to effectively participate in this new group without creating another time-robbing activity." For further information, or to provide your ideas, contact Jim Clawson, UC Davis Extension, Department of Agronomy and Range Science, Davis, CA 95616-8515, (916)752-3455.

New State Programs Foster Riparian and Wetland Habitat Conservation

The Wildlife Conservation Board (CA Dept. of Fish and Game) has recently been authorized to establish two new programs: the Inland Wetlands Conservation Program (1990) and the California Riparian Habitat Conservation Program (1991). The purpose of the Riparian Habitat Conservation Program is to protect, preserve, and restore riparian habitat throughout the state. The Inland Wetlands Conservation Program has a similar goal to protect, preserve, and restore wetland habitat, but it is authorized to implement projects specifically in the Central Valley of California. The Inland Wetland Program is currently funded and operational, and the Riparian Program is scheduled to be funded in fiscal year 1992-93.

These programs also provide the WCB with new authority that will enable the Board to adopt and implement creative options for the acquisition, restoration, and enhancement of riparian and wetland habitat. Specifically, the Board may now apply for and accept Federal grants, and receive gifts, donations and other forms of financial support from public and private sources for the purposes of the new programs. It may also award grants and loans to public agencies and nonprofit organizations for the purposes of the program.

For further information, contact the Wildlife Conservation Board, 1416 Ninth Street, Sacramento, CA 95814