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Preserve - Willey Wetlands |
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Willey Wetlands Preserve (Preserve) is located in southwestern Sutter County, near the town of Verona, California. The 217-acre Preserve is owned by the Sacramento County Airport System and provides habitat for the giant garter snake (Thamnopsis gigas), which is listed as threatened under both the federal and state Endangered Species Acts. The snake has been adversely affected by development of wetlands and suitable agricultural habitats, and only 13 populations remain in California.
Giant Garter Snake at Willey Wetlands Preserve.
Photo by David Jernigan.
Approximately 87 acres of the Preserve are aquatic habitat, which provide the giant garter snake with access to water and emergent vegetation for foraging and cover during its active period from early spring through late fall. The remaining 129 acres are upland habitat, which allow for the cover and refuge the snake requires during its dormancy period in the winter.
In addition to the giant garter snake, one other special-status species, the burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), has been observed on the site. The Preserve also hosts a wide diversity of native California flora and fauna, including Pacific tree frog (Hylla regilla), black-crowned night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), American beaver (Castor canadensis), and tall flatsedge (Cyperus eragrostis).
Since April, 2008, the Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM) has held perpetual agreements to: manage the Preserve; hold the Conservation Easement; and manage endowments to fund these roles. Preserve management is guided by local, state and federal environmental laws and utilizes science-based stewardship. The primary management objectives are to maintain the restored marsh as habitat for native species; maintain suitable areas—including the created upland areas—as desirable habitat for the giant garter snake; and minimize the attraction to wildlife whose usage is a hazard to aircraft. A major management tool at this Preserve is control of the water levels. Note: Willey Wetlands is not open to the public.
Questions about CNLM's role should be directed to:
Judah Grossman
Preserve Manager
Center for Natural Lands Management
e-mail: jgrossman@cnlm.org
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