Hanson Felton Quarry Preserve - Center for Natural Lands Management

Monday, 06 September 2010

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Hanson Felton Quarry

Hanson Felton Quarry Preserve

Physical Description: The Hanson Felton Quarry Preserve consists of two parcels in Santa Cruz County - the West Perimeter Set-Aside Area, which consists of 16 acres adjacent to an active quarry 1.25 miles east of Felton, and the Freeman Conservation Easement, which covers 6 acres located 1.5 miles northeast of Felton.

Conservation Purpose: The Felton Quarry Preserve was set aside under the terms of a Habitat Conservation Plan regarding the expansion of the quarrying operations at Hanson Aggregates' Felton Plant. The Preserve provides habitat for two federally-endangered insects: the Mount Hermon June beetle (Polyphylla barbata) and the Zayante band-winged grasshopper (Trimerotropis infantalis). The Center for Natural Lands Management holds Conservation Easements to both of the parcels. Funding for management of the Easements comes from an endowment established by Hanson Aggregates.

Habitat Types: The Felton Quarry Preserve is situated in the sandhills of Santa Cruz County, a unique community of plants and animals found on outcrops of marine sand deposits concentrated near the towns of Felton, Ben Lomond, Scotts Valley and Bonny Doon. The Mount Hermon June beetle and Zayante band-winged grasshopper, are endemic to these communities and are found nowhere else. In addition, two federally-endangered plants, the Santa Cruz wallflower and the Ben Lomond spineflower, which are endemic to the sandhills, are present on the Preserve. The habitats at the West Perimeter Set-Aside Area include northern maritime chaparral and Ponderosa pine forest, while the Freeman Conservation Easement consists primarily of northern maritime chaparral and live-oak woodland.

Management: Management of the Felton Quarry Reserve is focused primarily on maintaining habitat suitability for the Mount Hermon June beetle and Zayante band-winged grasshopper. This includes control of invasive species such as Portuguese broom and eucalyptus, and maintenance of perimeter fencing to control trespass by off-road vehicles. Focused surveys for the endangered insects are conducted every two years to determine their status on the parcels. Public access is restricted to both parcels.