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Preserve - Campbell Ranch |
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Physical Description: The Campbell Ranch Conservation Bank lies 12 miles south of Dixon in Solano County, immediately to the northwest of the Jepson Prairie Preserve and near California Department of Fish and Game lands. The Center for Natural Lands Management holds a conservation easement on this 160 acre parcel.
Conservation Purpose: Approximately 19 acres of vernal pools and swales and several sensitive plant and animal species are found on this property. Tadpole shrimp and vernal pool fairy shrimp, both federally listed, are found in the vernal pools. Other species either recently observed or known to occur on the site in the past include California tiger salamander, midvalley fairy shrimp, northwestern pond turtle, western spadefoot toad, and dwarf downingia. The nearness of Campbell Ranch to other preserves helps to protect a large block of habitat in this area.
Habitat Types: In addition to the northern claypan vernal pools, native perennial grassland occurs here. This vegetation type has been much-reduced in acreage in other parts of the Sacramento Valley. Alkali swales occur primarily on the western portion of the Bank. The difficult growing conditions in these swales provides a refuge for some native plants often excluded by weedy species in more productive soils. Barker Slough crosses the northern part of the site creating a permanent marsh.
Management: The primary management concern is maintaining and enhancing populations of the federally listed invertebrates. Another management goal is to increase cover of native plants of the uplands and in the pools. Grazing will be the primary management tool.
For information and inquiries please contact:
Cathy Little
Preserve Manager
e-mail: clittle@cnlm.org |
