Greetings, Rancho Neighbors!

Have you seen all the work on trails lately at Rancho Corral de Tierra? Are you wondering what to do when you encounter an aggressive coyote? Have you been looking for a trail map of the park? If so, keep reading for the latest news at Rancho!

UPCOMING VOLUNTEER EVENTS

All programs are from 10 am–1 pm.

• October 4: Stewardship Volunteer Day. Meet at Farallone View Elementary School in Montara.
• December 6: Trails Volunteer Day. Location TBD.

For more information on Stewardship, contact Price at psheppy@parksconservancy.org. For more information on Trails volunteer days, contact Jaimie at jbaxter@parksconservancy.org.

TRAIL NEWS

National Trails Day
On June 7, over 200 volunteers joined the National Park Service and Parks Conservancy to improve trails throughout GGNRA in Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo Counties. At the first ever National Trails Day event at Rancho, a group of dedicated volunteers brushed nearly 4,000 square feet of vegetation and rerouted a section of the Farmer’s Daughter Trail to protect sensitive habitat. Thanks to everyone that pitched in! Save the date for next year’s event, Saturday June 6, 2015.

SCA Crew Trail Project
The Student Conservation Association spent the summer with NPS improving trails in Moss Beach. The crew benched, widened, and improved the grading of approximately 1400 linear feet of trail above the Ember Ridge Equestrian Center. Thanks to SCA, the improvements allow for better multi-use capabilities and long-range sustainability. The crew also rehabilitated trails and repaired ruts in the immediate vicinity. We look forward to having the crew return next summer for additional projects!

Spine Trail Closure
On September 22, work will begin on improvements to the Spine Trail. Trail crews will be re-routing portions of the trail, installing proper drainage, and reducing the grade in steep areas to improve sustainability. In addition to trail improvements, we will also be removing the invasive plant, jubata (pampas) grass, along the Spine Trail. This grass is non-native, is a fire hazard, spreads quickly and can block trails. Construction and invasive plant removal is expected to take approximately six weeks, during which time the trail will be closed for your safety. Thank you for your patience while we improve the trail!

Trail Brushing in Montara and Moss Beach
In anticipation of upcoming improvements to the Spine Trail in Moss Beach, NPS crews just completed brushing the entire trail by removing poison oak and overgrowth. Now crews are turning their attention to the Alta Vista Trail in Montara, which has some extremely thick overgrowth that needs to be cleared. Stop by and say hello to the crew while you’re out on the trails!

New Trail Maps

Thanks to grants from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation Donor Circle for the Environment and the Sand Hill Foundation, new maps were created for all of GGNRA’s park sites in San Mateo County! The grant funded visits by the Roving Ranger to various events in San Mateo County over the past year along with new outreach to communities throughout the county. If you haven’t had a chance to see the Roving Ranger yet, look for it at Pacifica’s Fog Fest the weekend of September 27-28!

You can view the maps as PDFs below:

Rancho Corral de Tierra >> 

Sweeney Ridge >>

Milagra Ridge >>

Mori Point >>

Phleger Estate >>

NATURAL RESOURCES

Hantavirus Detected at Rancho
As part of the BioBlitz data collection efforts, NPS trapped several small mammals in Rancho to test for various diseases. The results revealed high rates of Hantavirus, a rare but serious disease that can spread to humans. The disease can only be transferred by contact with rodents or their urine, saliva, blood, or droppings. To be safe, avoid any rodents that you encounter (dead or alive), seal holes and gaps in your home or garage, and keep your food sealed. For more information and tips, visit http://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/.

Harding Grass Removal
NPS is promoting the biodiversity of California’s fragile native grasslands. A project is underway to remove five acres of Harding Grass in Montara that is encroaching on endangered plants. The first step of this process is to mow the grass repeatedly to weaken it and reduce the need for pesticides. Some invasive grasses will be removed by hand as well. This winter, NPS will be planting native grasses to help us plan for future restoration work. We hope you’ll join us during one of our volunteer days! For questions about this project, please contact Susie Bennett at Susie_bennett@nps.gov.

Coyote Advisory
NPS has received reports of aggressive coyotes in Rancho recently. Coyotes are native to the area and commonly seen. If you encounter a coyote at close range:

• Keep children close to you
• Make loud noises, throw rocks
• Stand upright, avoid eye contact, back away slowly, do not run
• If attacked, fight back aggressively

Do not feed the coyotes. Report aggressive behavior and attacks immediately to U.S. Park Police Dispatch at (415) 561-5510.

FIRE MANAGEMENT

Boundary Mowing in El Granada
In August, NPS Maintenance staff completed mowing treatments along the Rancho Corral de Tierra boundary in El Granada behind Harbor Drive, Coral Reef Avenue and San Carlos Avenue. These treatments enhance the defensible space needed for firefighters to safely defend homes along the park boundary from wildfire.

Eucalyptus Fuel Reduction
Fire Management staff have initiated the environmental planning process for fuel reduction in the eucalyptus grove on NPS lands behind Coral Reef Avenue in El Granada. Fuel reduction in this area began in 2009 as a partnership between CalFire, the Cabrillo Unified School District (CUSD), Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), and the San Mateo County Resource Conservation District (RCD).  NPS will continue thinning and chipping eucalyptus within the part of grove.

TRANSPORTATION

Le Conte Avenue Improvements
To reduce erosion, illegal dumping, and off-road vehicle use, improvements to Le Conte Avenue in Montara are being planned. The first step will be to improve drainage along the street and repair the eroding shoulder. NPS Roads Crew will be on site this fall to channelize drainage, fill the existing ruts, compact the material, and smooth the surface to improve the roadway conditions near Farallone View School. This project is being done in coordination with Farallone View Elementary School and Cabrillo Unified School District. Once the surface is stable, NPS will continue to work with the school and adjacent neighbors to facilitate traffic circulation and minimize congestion on the street.

No Parking at End of Bridgeport Drive in El Granada
You may have seen a new sign at the end of Bridgeport Avenue in El Granada indicating “Authorized Vehicles Only”.  The end of the street is used to facilitate turnaround for emergency vehicles. Please spread the word to your neighbors that parking is not permitted at the end of the street.

OTHER GGNRA NEWS IN SAN MATEO COUNTY

Mori Point Improvements
At Mori Point in Pacifica, the Old Mori Trail is currently closed for accessibility improvements. When completed, the resurfaced trail will be AGODA (Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas) compliant. In addition to making this trail accessible to all, the project will also improve drainage and control erosion. Come check out the new trail in late October!

Removal of Nike Buildings at Sweeney Ridge
The Nike Buildings on top of Sweeney Ridge are proposed to be removed. The structures are in poor condition, the roofs are collapsing, and the walls are continuously a target for graffiti. Pending approval from the State Historic Preservation Office, the buildings will be demolished in the near future. The building foundations will remain, and interpretive panels will be installed to provide visitors with information about their historic use.

If you have questions or future topics you would like to see featured in a newsletter, please contact Christine FitzGerald at cfitzgerald@parksconservancy.org or (415) 561-4745.