Vegetation and Biodiversity Management

2019–20 Vegetation and Biodiversity Annual Report

• Fuels crew partnership with Marin County Fire tackled 28 high priority acres across 15 project sites.
• Second year of collaborative regional grazing initiative brought in 1200 goats and sheep for defensible space and fire fuel reduction.
• 1,893 volunteers contributed 7,337 hours to support vegetation management, focusing on areas of ecological importance.
• Early Detection, Rapid Response team surveyed 100 miles for invasive plants, manually treated 102 detections, and discovered 4 rare plant populations.
• Herbicide limited to critical use, in favor or manual, non-toxic methods to manage diverse vegetation.

Read the 2019–20 Vegetation and Biodiversity Annual Report and Work Plan PDF

Vegetation and Biodiversity Management Plan

The Vegetation and Biodiversity Management Plan (VBMP) for Marin County preserves provides comprehensive, long-term guidance for a science-based approach that will maintain the natural biodiversity of the vegetation within the preserves, maintain patrol, emergency and public access, and manage fuel loads to reduce the threat of natural and human-caused fires.

Adaptive stewardship adjusts to changing natural conditions, while working toward multiple goals. MCOSD works to control invasive species, reduce fire risk, and restore native habitat, adjusting tactics and plans based on science, research, and observations from the field. We aim to encourage the positive natural processes that will support diversity throughout open space ecosystems, from healthy soil to thriving plant and wildlife communities.