Project to Protect Critical Dune Habitat near Historic A Ranch at Point Reyes National Seashore

Date: February 6, 1997
Contact: John Dell’Osso, 415-464-5135

One of the main purposes for the establishment of Point Reyes National Seashore in 1962 was the preservation of "a portion of the diminishing seashore of the United States that remains undeveloped." Superintendent Don Neubacher stated that, "There are many critical resource issues facing park management today and through programs such as Marin Conservation Corps and AmeriCorps, we can achieve many of our park's goals."

Through a cooperative partnership with local ranchers, the Marin Conservation Corps, and the AmeriCorps program, Point Reyes National Seashore staff has determined a high priority project for dune habitat protection along the Point Reyes Headlands near the historic A Ranch. The project involves the construction of a fenceline to exclude grazing near the sensitive sand dune habitat. This area is habitat for sensitive plant and animal species including beach layia and Tidestrom's lupine (both Federally endangered), the western snowy plover (Federally threatened) and pupping ground for the northern elephant seal.

The assistance from both the Marin Conservation Corps and AmeriCorps have proven to be invaluable in this project. Marin Conservation Corps (MCC) is a Marin County based, non-profit group whose workers live and work in Marin County. MCC provides training, education, and work experience for young adults. Some past projects that MCC has worked on at Point Reyes include hazardous fuel removal around structures and removal of the non-native, invasive french broom. "MCC is pleased to be working on this collaborative project with the National Park Service and the AmeriCorps program," expressed Alison Dykstra, Development Director for MCC.

AmeriCorps, commonly referred to as "America's domestic Peace Corps," is the national service program created with bipartisan support from Congress and President Clinton as part of the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, to tackle America's toughest problems in public safety, education, human needs, and the environment. Some past projects that AmeriCorps has focussed on at Point Reyes include the mapping and removal of non-native plants and trail rehabilitation and construction.

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