|
 This
page is where we will post many of your comments about this Web Site. We are looking for
suggestions that will guide us in constantly upgrading our Web Site. We are proud of what
we have constructed already, but we think your ongoing visits and comments will help us
keep our Web Site dynamic and up-to-date. Send your ideas and comments
via
Email. We will select the best
ones and give a response in the text below.
From Lynn: Overtree, former Kern River Preserve Assistant
Manager and Founder of the Friends of the Kern River Preserve.
Lynn:
"Birds are neat, but...
1. I am a botanist and I heard that Kern Co. has one of the highest diversity of species
in the state. How can I learn more about hot places to botanize while I am visiting KRP?
What is unique about KRP's botany?"
Our Response: Lynn, we inaugurated a "Flora
of the Kern River Preserve" web page in December, 1999. It has a list of plants
found on the Kern River Preserve. We are gathering information on the incredible botanical
diversity of the Preserve, Kern Valley, and Southern Sierra (the highest diversity in
California!) to share with Web Site visitors including a phone number where one can secure
the latest wildflower viewing conditions in the area. We had visitors last year from as
far away as North Carolina who came specifically to view local wildflowers and wildflower
displays. We may not do a watershed checklist since that would include over 2,000 plant
species, but we'll investigate that possibility as well. And, you may come to our
Spring Nature Festival in April and go on one of our wildflower walks led by members of the
California Native Plant Society.
Lynn:
"2. I am a herpetologist and I heard that you have some neat range extensions and
hybrids or blends of species in the Kern Valley that I'd like to come try to find. I also
heard that there are some unique salamanders in the area. And I heard some vague mention
of something about turtles. Can I learn more about this at KRP?"
Our Response: Yes! Check out our reptile,
pond turtle, and
amphibians web pages.
Lynn:
"3. I am a mammalogist and I read an article in the KRRC newsletter stating that the
highest diversity of mammals north of Mexico occurs in the Kern Valley area? What mammals
can be found there? Are there any bats, I think bats are cool?"
Our Response: The mammal diversity found
here is the highest known in North America north of southern Mexico...over 115 species! As
for bats, I believe nine species occur in the Kern Valley, alone. I am sure we can secure
and post a list of the 115+ species of mammals, including bat species, found in the
Southern Sierra Nevada centered around the Kern River Valley. For more, see our
"Mammals" web page.
Lynn:
"4. I am a restoration ecologist working on the Sacramento River and I keep hearing
about a small riparian restoration project in Kern County that was supposedly very
successful. I'd like to get more information on the project, their techniques, and the
results of the restoration efforts there."
Our Response: You are right. We have several
completed riparian forest (Fremont cottonwood, red willow, etc.)
restoration projects
completed and are conducting more. Check out our restoration web pages. Reed Tollefson,
Kern River Preserve Manager, has even written a manual on riparian restoration techniques
that has been very well received. Volunteers are always welcome on our monthly Kern River
Preserve workdays. THANKS!
Lynn:
"5. I am a tamarisk basher on the weekends (engineer at JPL during the week, need to
get away from the desk). Tamarisk has been such a problem in our riparian systems
throughout the west. I've never seen a stream without tamarisk (or Arundo or Russian
olive), and I don't know if any exist. Last weekend, however, a fellow basher said they'd
been to your preserve and claims you have virtually no tamarisk there. Is this correct?
How do I arrange a visit to the preserve if it is? How do you do it? Can it be
possible?"
Our Response: Right again. We do not know
exactly how we have escaped the invasion of exotic pest plant species to the degree we
have. But, we are very thankful. Visits to the Preserve to discuss restoration, exotic
pest plant status and control, Preserve workdays, and to just be able to see such a
healthy riparian system (not without problems though) may be arranged by making an
appointment. Contact information is listed at several locations on this web site.
For more information we suggest you visit the
Cal EPPC (California Exotic Pest Plant
Council) website, the pre-eminent California organization dealing
with exotic pest plant issues.
Lynn:
"6. I am a rancher on the western Sierra slope. I am interested in incorporating some
practices that will benefit wildlife, as well as my cattle operation. It sounded like you
had been able to bridge, at least partially, the gap between ranchers and
environmentalists. Do you have any information on your projects that you could share with
me? Any guidance? I'd love to read about some of your success projects on your web site, I
think it would help all sides. Thanks."
Our Response: Reed Tollefson, Preserve
Manager, has worked very hard to develop a relationship of openness, mutual respect, and
cooperation with local ranchers. One example is a cooperative effort to eradicate the few
Russian olive trees that do occur in the South Fork (Kern River) Valley.
Lynn:
"Well, there are some thoughts - that should keep you busy. I'll let you know if I
think of some other important topics for the web site."
Our Response: Lynn, thanks for your usual
excellent and constructive input. Keep it coming! All of your suggestions are great. We
plan to implement as many of them as possible as time permits. Stay tuned! |
