Targeted observations we make right now on the former Sonoma Developmental Center lands can strongly affect land use decisions there. Intense residential and hotel development is proposed for the campus, and recreational uses and a CALFIRE facility are proposed for open space areas. There are over 18K observations of 1,467 species already!
 
Members of the public can walk the entire 950 acres of former SDC property. It belongs to the state of California, mostly to State Parks. Meanwhile, organizations like Sonoma Ecology Center have not been able to obtain formal permission for fieldwork. 
 
Observing right now, while the land is still green, with unequivocal photo evidence, is an urgent priority. There are six “projects” in iNaturalist related to SDC, including “contributed observations” for observations with obscured locations.
 
Where to look
 
Highest-priority locations to look are where water has an influence: in and around streams, ditches and channels near the degraded wetland, the former junior farm and dairy, Roulette Spring, etc. A secondary priority location is a 300-foot-wide swath around the campus where a “fire buffer” is proposed that could remove vegetation and disturb soil.
 
What to look for
 
Organisms and habitats below are legally protected, or they indicate habitats that are protected, such as wetlands, certain forests, or vernal pools.
 
Animals. Most have been observed somewhere on the property, but more observations in more locations are sought.
  • California freshwater shrimp. Known from Sonoma Creek, but are they present in Asbury or Hill/Mill Creeks?
  • Steelhead in Asbury or Hill/Mill Creeks. Known from Sonoma Creek, but are they present in Asbury or Hill/Mill Creeks?
  • California giant salamander
  • Foothill yellow-legged frog
  • California red-legged frog
  • Red-bellied newt and to a lesser extent other newts/salamanders
  • Western pond turtle
  • Northern spotted owl
  • Bats
  • Clam shrimp
  • Other vernal pool or aquatic obligate species
Plants. These protected species are considered “moderately likely” to occur on the site. 
  • Big-scale balsamroot (Balsamorhiza macrolepis): grassland and oak woodland
  • Chaparral or redwood lily (Lilium rubescens): forest gaps
  • Fragrant fritillary (Fritillaria liliacea): less-disturbed grasslands where other native species present and soils clayey
  • Franciscan onion (Allium peninsulare var.franciscum): less-disturbed grasslands where other native species present and soils clayey
  • Harlequin lotus (Hosackia gracilis): wetland edges where dense non-native growth not present
  • Hayfield tarweed (Hemizonia congesta): less-disturbed grasslands
  • Jepson’s leptosiphon (Leptosiphon jepsonii):  less-disturbed grasslands, especially where other native grassland species and volcanic soils are present. A related species, variable linanthus (Leptosiphon parviflorus), was observed north of Fern Lake in 2001
  • Napa false indigo (Amorpha californica): deciduous oak woodland
  • Narrow-anthered brodiaea (Brodiaea leptandra): less-disturbed grasslands, especially where other native grassland species and volcanic soils are present
  • Pink star-tulip (Calochortus uniflorus): meadows, seeps
  • Other vernal pool or wetland obligate species
Plant communities. Include notes in your observations about spatial extent and diameter of largest trees. native grassland alliances, especially within the proposed fire buffer around campus and between campus and the old water treatment plant wetlands, stands of valley oak, Oregon oak, madrone, or mixtures.
 
On behalf of many others, thank you for your help to assure the vitality of the land and creatures of this remarkable slice of Earth!

Connect with SMP

 

Explore the Mountain

Sonoma Mountain – The Book!

Where the World Begins: Sonoma Mountain Stories and Images draws you into our inspiring natural treasure at the heart of southern Sonoma County. Local Bestseller, IPPY Award 2020.  Two purchasing choices below: