Last spring, our community awarded $10,000 to this group for the purpose of improving forest resilience in an area that is especially vulnerable to wildfires. What follows is their first progress report.
Located approximately 3 miles north of the community of Julian, California, The Nature Center Preserve protects approximately 400 acres and contributes to a 41,000-acre network of conserved lands in the region. The site is characterized by oak woodlands transitioning to Southern California montane forest as elevation increases through the steep drainage formed by the headwaters of Santa Ysabel Creek, a significant tributary to the San Dieguito River. Mid to high elevations areas of the preserve have been impacted by wildfire, with some areas experiencing multiple uncontrolled burns resulting in high severity impacts to vegetation and increasing the pace of type conversion from forest to chaparral.
Project Preservation Activities
• Manual and mechanical thinning (density / basal area reduction) within select, high-value groves of mature mixed conifer / hardwood forest.
• Shaded fuel break management and ladder fuel removal.
• Mechanical treatment (mastication, livestock grazing, broadcast burning) of type-converted chaparral in preparation for reforestation.
• Removal of approximately 200 deceased oak trees (GSOB mortality) to reduce continuity of fuel loads.
• Reforestation of approximately 37 acres of mixed chaparral with native conifer seedlings, targeting areas around mature conifer stands.
The completion of this Project, which will culminate in 2028, will enhance ecosystem functions throughout the watershed and provide high quality habitat for sensitive species while preserving rare forest types. The landscape has been and will continue to be a living classroom for 1,200 school children per year through the Volcan Mountain Preservation Foundation’s outdoor education programs, and up to 800 adults per year through various outreach, volunteer, and education events.
In addition to The White Feather Foundation, funding is provided for this project through a combination of partners led by California’s Wildlife Conservation Board ($1.55M) and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service ($136K). Other funders include The JEM Project, Foundation for Sustainable and Innovation, and donations from caring individuals who support all that the Volcan Mountain Foundation accomplishes.
All photos used in this post were provided courtesy of Volcan Mountain Foundation.
