Cyndi L. Dawson is an environmental scientist who works for California State Parks. Her document summarizes information about Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds, which is a 43 hectare state park. It describes the different habitat areas within the park, including restored dunes and fragmented forest areas. It also indicates that the goal for the park is to restore ecosystem function and services.
2. [ih-kol-uh-jee]
noun
1. the branch of biology dealing with the relations
and interactions between organisms and their
environment, including other organisms.
2. Also called human ecology. the branch of
sociology concerned with the spacing and
interdependence of people and institutions.
Also, oecology.
3.
[ih-kol-uh-jee]
noun
the branch of biology dealing with the relations and
interactions between organisms and their environment,
including the interdependence of people and natural
environment.
Also, oecology.
4.
5. • Asilomar State
Beach and
Conference Grounds
- 43 hectares
• Restored Dunes – 22
hectares
• Fragmented/Urban
Closed Pine Forest
and Transition Forest
– 18 hectares
7. UNIT Classification
State Beaches [PRC § 5019.56 (c)] consist of areas with frontage on the ocean or bays and
managed to provide swimming, boating, fishing, and other beach-oriented recreational
activities.
Restore ecosystem function and services
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280 CA State Parks covering over 600,000 hectares
Budget for all parks excluding Asilomar for
FY13/14 is ~$490 million
Funded solely through a contract
Natural Resources Management of ~$300,000
annual including staffing ( 1 scientist and 3 full
time field staff)
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Non-native defense
Increase species richness
Improve linkages with surrounding restored
dunes
Increase density of rare, threatened and
endangered species
30.
5 endangered/threatened plants and 2 animal
species of concern have self sustaining populations
Only on-going maintenance is non-native defense;
no additional water or methods used
~95% native plant cover
31.
Clear directive and mandate within Department
Dedicated staff member to oversee project
Willingness to think BIG
Secure funding for project
Large amount of local community support
Long-term commitment
32.
CA State Parks received an 18% budget cut
from FY 12/13 to FY 13/14
Revenue generation
Little Hoover Report March 2013
Change in centralized model
Increase partnerships
Change in Department culture
Thank you …. For that great introduction and thanks to you all for coming to Asilomar. Today I would like to take you on a journey through the ecology. It is a journey through both space and time and I happy to bring you all a long for the ride.
To set the stage for my talk today I would like to start by talking about thi a word that gets bandied about a lot both by scientists and the general public. Ecology. There are many variation of this definiton but essential we are talking about ….To give our disscussion of of Asilomar context I want to give throw out my 21st Century definition of ecology and that puts the human copoment front and center. I feel a strong argument can be made for there being no where left on earth were humans are having an effect on the natural environment whether it be the deepest caves, bottom of the ocean, deep in the remaining jungles or the top of Mt. Everest. I want to take this 21st definition with a focus on the human influences and apply to Asilomar’s story. The natural enviornment here at Asilomar has gone through many changes including amazing success in the restoration of our dunes and continued challenges
To set the stage for my talk today I would like to start by talking about thi a word that gets bandied about a lot both by scientists and the general public. Ecology. There are many variation of this definiton but essential we are talking about ….To give our disscussion of of Asilomar context I want to give throw out my 21st Century definition of ecology and that puts the human copoment front and center. I feel a strong argument can be made for there being no where left on earth were humans are having an effect on the natural environment whether it be the deepest caves, bottom of the ocean, deep in the remaining jungles or the top of Mt. Everest. I want to take this 21st definition with a focus on the human influences and apply to Asilomar’s story. The natural enviornment here at Asilomar has gone through many changes including amazing success in the restoration of our dunes and continued challenges
What are those goalsNatural Preserve Natural Preserves [PRC § 5019.71] are distinct areas of outstanding natural or scientific significance established within the boundaries of other State Park System units. The purpose of Natural Preserves shall be to preserve such features as rare or endangered plant and animal species and their supporting ecosystems, representative examples of plant or animal communities existing in California prior to the impact of Euro-American modifications, geological features illustrative of geological processes, significant fossil occurrences or geological features of cultural or economic interest, or topographic features illustrative of representative or unique biogeographical patterns. Natural Preserves shall be managed to allow natural dynamics of ecological interaction to continue without interference, where possible. Habitat manipulation shall be permitted only in those areas found by scientific analysis to require manipulation to preserve the species or associations that constitute the basis for the establishment of the Natural Preserve. Motor vehicle use is prohibited in Natural Preserves (see DOM Section 0304.5.2)
What are those goalsNatural Preserve Natural Preserves [PRC § 5019.71] are distinct areas of outstanding natural or scientific significance established within the boundaries of other State Park System units. The purpose of Natural Preserves shall be to preserve such features as rare or endangered plant and animal species and their supporting ecosystems, representative examples of plant or animal communities existing in California prior to the impact of Euro-American modifications, geological features illustrative of geological processes, significant fossil occurrences or geological features of cultural or economic interest, or topographic features illustrative of representative or unique biogeographical patterns. Natural Preserves shall be managed to allow natural dynamics of ecological interaction to continue without interference, where possible. Habitat manipulation shall be permitted only in those areas found by scientific analysis to require manipulation to preserve the species or associations that constitute the basis for the establishment of the Natural Preserve. Motor vehicle use is prohibited in Natural Preserves (see DOM Section 0304.5.2)
The history of Asilomar informs how to apply the land management mandates here. This area like most areas around the globe has 1000s of years of history of having humans influence the natural environment.Native Americans have been in California for over 10,000 years and Ohlone have been on the Monterey likely Peninsula for at least 8000 years. Europeans started showing up in the 1600 and sustained presence in the area started in 1770s with the founding of the Presido in Monterey and the Carmel mission1836 California passed from Spain to Mexico and an increased focus on settlement and ranching intensified clearing land for agriculture and grazing was pronounced all throughout the area. This had major effects on the land around them condors were nearly extinct in CA by 1900 and the last confirmed grizzly was shot in CA in 1908. In addition to the major effects humans have had on land a sand mining operation at Spanish Bay severely effected the dune structure throughout the area. So when I think of the history of Asilomar as an ecologist I am thinking a 10,000 year span of effects that have effected the ecosystems here. My job is take all this information and distil it down to develop discrete goals about what we are managing for here at Asilomar. So State Parks in partnership with the concessionaire manages the Natural Resources at Asilomar to meet the goals set out by State Parks adapt to each specific site
The history of Asilomar informs how to apply the land management mandates here. This area like most areas around the globe has 1000s of years of history of having humans influence the natural environment.Native Americans have been in California for over 10,000 years and Ohlone have been on the Monterey likely Peninsula for at least 8000 years. Europeans started showing up in the 1600 and sustained presence in the area started in 1770s with the founding of the Presido in Monterey and the Carmel mission1836 California passed from Spain to Mexico and an increased focus on settlement and ranching intensified clearing land for agriculture and grazing was pronounced all throughout the area. This had major effects on the land around them condors were nearly extinct in CA by 1900 and the last confirmed grizzly was shot in CA in 1908. In addition to the major effects humans have had on land a sand mining operation at Spanish Bay severely effected the dune structure throughout the area. So when I think of the history of Asilomar as an ecologist I am thinking a 10,000 year span of effects that have effected the ecosystems here. My job is take all this information and distil it down to develop discrete goals about what we are managing for here at Asilomar. So State Parks in partnership with the concessionaire manages the Natural Resources at Asilomar to meet the goals set out by State Parks adapt to each specific site
The history of Asilomar informs how to apply the land management mandates here. This area like most areas around the globe has 1000s of years of history of having humans influence the natural environment.Native Americans have been in California for over 10,000 years and Ohlone have been on the Monterey likely Peninsula for at least 8000 years. Europeans started showing up in the 1600 and sustained presence in the area started in 1770s with the founding of the Presido in Monterey and the Carmel mission1836 California passed from Spain to Mexico and an increased focus on settlement and ranching intensified clearing land for agriculture and grazing was pronounced all throughout the area. This had major effects on the land around them condors were nearly extinct in CA by 1900 and the last confirmed grizzly was shot in CA in 1908. In addition to the major effects humans have had on land a sand mining operation at Spanish Bay severely effected the dune structure throughout the area. So when I think of the history of Asilomar as an ecologist I am thinking a 10,000 year span of effects that have effected the ecosystems here. My job is take all this information and distil it down to develop discrete goals about what we are managing for here at Asilomar. So State Parks in partnership with the concessionaire manages the Natural Resources at Asilomar to meet the goals set out by State Parks adapt to each specific site
The spatial layout of the property and current human use patterns also play a central role in informing how the has been managed in the recent past and currently
And finally before I get to the story of our dunes another key factor that effect how we do things here is money.1.5 million acres = 607029 hectares(0.5 - 243,000)Watts Towers of Simon Rodia State Historic Park .11 acresAnza-Borrego Desert State Park - 600,000 acres--the largest state park in CaliforniaState Parks costs for Asilomar yearlyProgram support 200k increases 2.5% (120 k NRM)500k Operations Support increase 5%
By the early 80s the dunes were entirely degraded with very little eveidence of the thenaturlyforedune, ridge swale pattern facing the prevailing wind. The area had at least 90% non-native ice plant Carpobrotusedulis CarpobrotuschilensisAccessory trails through out dunes
Past area was reminded of cattle grazing past (up 1900) good few of dunes
Sea of iceplant
Small patches of natives, extensive seed collection effort to propogate the over 200,000 estimated to be installed.
Genetics
Clear directive and mandate within Department, including clear and measurable goalsDedicated staff member to oversee project from start to finishWillingness to think big and thoroughly research appropriate methods for successSecure funding for project through the establishment phase (plants are self-sustaining)Large amount of local community support that can provide in-kind support for projectContinued maintenance and enhancement of area
General Fund support has fallen for nearly 35 years.Over 65 million people visit state parks annuallyRevenue generation fee collection modernizartion