There have been some very important developments in our pursuit of a Minor Use Permit (MUP) for Sweet Springs East to implement access improvements and restoration plans in recent weeks.
Dr. Francis Villablanca and his research team from the Monarch Alert Project completed a Monarch Occupancy and Habitat Utilization survey for both the central and eastern sections of Sweet Springs. The purpose of the survey was to determine whether monarch butterflies are using these areas as autumnal or overwintering sites. Autumnal (or transitional) sites are typically occupied in the fall, but are later abandoned as seasonally available nectar sources dwindle or winter storms move in.
The butterflies move from the autumnal sites to more protected overwintering sites by late December. Overwintering (or climax) sites can also host butterflies in the fall, but they are occupied throughout the winter as well. Overwintering sites remain occupied through storm events. The longer days and warmer weather of late February and early March signal to the butterflies that it is time to disperse and resume their cyclical migration.
Old Bridge at Sweet Springs
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The survey results indicated that neither the central or eastern sections of the preserve are being used as autumnal sites. No monarch clusters were detected over the entire autumnal period in either area. However, small monarch clusters were detected during the overwintering period in both sections of the preserve. They dispersed after a mild storm moved through the area in January, indicating neither site provided sufficient protection for overwintering. Nonetheless, Dr. Villablanca noted "Their presence is indisputable, though their behavior was anomalous. The nature of their behavior, the small number of butterflies using the site, and the fact that so many used it singly rather than in clusters, strongly suggest that this site is secondary to other local overwintering locations. As such, removing individual trees may have a small, though negative, effect on overwintering monarchs. Because of the number of trees proposed for removal, the project may have many small negative impacts. The cumulative impacts should likely be mitigated."
Dr. Villablanca suggested that restoration of the historical overwintering site on the central preserve offered the best opportunity to mitigate potential negative impacts of tree removal. He also noted that removal of trees in the southwestern corner on the east side could hamper restoration on the central preserve and suggested MCAS retain a Monarch habitat specialist to provide guidance on the best way to improve habitat before proceeding.
Sandspit View
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MCAS is currently obtaining bids for a monarch habitat specialist and will use the information they provide to develop a tree removal plan which will provide adequate protection for overwintering monarchs on the central preserve. The full report is available on the East Sweet Springs Information Page on the MCAS web site.
Another development of note is that we have enlisted the help of a wildlife biologist from SWCA Environmental Consultants to conduct raptor nesting surveys for us. We have pledged to leave trees that are being used for nesting and fledging until it is determined that the tree(s) have not been used for two consecutive breeding seasons. The results of those surveys won't be available for some time as the nesting season has just begun.
A third important status change is the necessity to revise our trail plan in order to better accommodate disabled access to the preserve. We had initially planned to provide wheelchair access via a landing platform off the sidewalk on Ramona Avenue at the southwest corner of the new preserve. The landing platform was connected to a boardwalk which would direct visitors to a main trail leading down to a viewing platform overlooking the bay. Discussions with County Public Works indicated that our proposed entrance lacked sufficient room for handicap parking near the landing platform. We therefore developed an alternative design that will provide a handicap accessible parking space and connector trail leading to a main entrance for everyone at the corner of 4th Street and Ramona Avenue. Rather than being an unimproved pedestrian entrance, this entrance and trail head will now be fully ADA compliant. There will also be two unimproved, sandy trails leading from the Pond Loop Trail on the central preserve to the main trail on the east side. These will enable visitors to use any entrance to access the entire preserve trail system.
Approaching the Bay
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Lastly, we gathered some additional information per a request from County Planning about the history of the preserve and the number of trees growing on the central preserve that are not a part of our MUP tree removal request. There are 348 eucalyptus and 72 cypress trees on the central preserve that will continue to provide habitat for the foreseeable future, as well as a large number of young oaks.
We are confident that the very best project to protect and enhance the natural resources found on the preserve, as well as the ability of the public to enjoy them, will eventually emerge as more studies are completed and the project proposal works its way through the public review process. We will keep the public apprised of important updates as they become available through our web site, newsletter and Facebook page.
