Watershed Programs

YOLO-SOLANO CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP FOR HABITAT ON WORKING LANDS:

This project involves the partnership of 10 conservation organizations working toward a common goal of assisting farmers in the challenging task of managing their land for both crop production and resource conservation. This program will expand and refine projects already on the ground in Yolo and Solano counties, including farm ponds, stream habitat improvement and irrigation canal vegetation. High school students participating in the SLEWS program will assist with habitat restoration activities on project sites.

CACHE CREEK GEOMORPHIC ASSESSMENT & LOCAL YOUTH STREAM MONITORING : This project will conduct a large-scale geomorphic assessment of Cache Creek in Capay Valley in order to determine the underlying causes of bank erosion, and to identify sites where bank stabilization and restoration activities would be most effective. The information obtained from this assessment will also contribute to the development of a watershed science education program for local middle school students.

CAPAY VALLEY RIPARIAN VEGETATION MANAGEMENT  & WATERSHED COORDINATION PROJECTS:
The Riparian Vegetation Management project is treating the dense invasive stands of Tamarisk (Saltcedar) and Arundo (Giant Reed) along the upper Capay Valley reach of Cache Creek.  This work complements and coordinates  the work of other organizations who are removing and controlling these invasive species up and downstream from this project site. Funded by the CA Wildlife Conservation Board.

The  Capay Valley Watershed Coordinator has continued to work with the Cache Creek Watershed Stakeholders Group using the Capay Valley Conservation and Restoration Manual and the Capay Valley Watershed Stewardship Plan that was developed through this partnership previously for permit acquisition, implementation of  streambank stabilization, and planning riparian restoration projects along the Cache Creek. Funded by grants from the CA Dept. of Conservation and the Rumsey Community Fund.

Water Quality Programs

YOLO-COLUSA MOBILE WATER LAB: Provides growers with on-farm water conservation 'audits' with recommendations and support for cost-effective water management (quality and quantity) improvement techniques throughout Yolo and Colusa counties. Funded by the US Bureau of Reclammation and the Dept. of Water Resources.

YOLO-SOLANO AG WATER QUALITY SUPPORT PROGRAM: Provides technical and cost-share assistance for farm runoff water quality management projects in Yolo and Solano Counties.  In partnership with the Yolo County Farm Bureau and Solano and Dixon Resource Conservation Districts.  Funded by the State Water Resources Control Board.

Vegetation Management Programs

CAL-TRANS FREEWAY VEGETATION PROGRAM: This 3-year project is undertaking the planting and maintaining of native trees, shrubs, and native bunchgrasses along selected highway interchanges between Davis and West Sacramento.   Funding from Caltrans.

YOLO COUNTY WEED MANAGEMENT AREA (with Yolo County Dept. of Agriculture): Projects include roadside vegetation management and grassland weed suppression, using native grasses, fire and herbicide as tools. Additional projects include riparian weed managment along local waterways, including Salt cedar and Giant reed control in Capay Valley.

Permit Coordination

YOLO COUNTY PERMIT COORDINATION PROGRAM: Current regulatory review processes often hinder the voluntary efforts of landowners to restore or enhance the natural resources on their property.  This 5-year program is developing a model of coordinated review  that allows regulatory agencies to issue permits directly to the Yolo County RCD/NRCS, that covers projects on private lands of supervised, cooperative landowners, selected by the RCD/NRCS based on meeting the environmental protection criteria.