Riparian Enhancement at Audubon Starr Ranch Sanctuary

This project will implement an innovative, ecosystem scale approach to enhancement efforts in Bell Creek, an important riparian corridor within the San Juan Creek Watershed at the 4,000-acre Audubon Starr Ranch Sanctuary.

Project leaders will conduct riparian wildlife monitoring that might serve as a model for a new “hybrid ecosystem” approach which uses wildlife as indicators of ecosystem function. Other main project actions include nonchemical removal of the riparian ground layer of non native periwinkle within its current distribution in an 11 acre intensive work area, nonchemical removal of a nonnative Olea europea (olive) throughout the entire 125 acre riparian zone that includes the creek bed and banks of Bell Creek, and vegetation monitoring before and after olive removal.