The western pond turtle is the only native freshwater turtle species in northern California. It has declined throughout 75% of its range and continues to be threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, invasive predators, and a number of other human-induced mechanisms. Marin County Parks and Open Space District has multiple preserve locations where populations of…
The spectacular, newly protected Mill Bend Preserve is located at the mouth of the Gualala River, straddling Mendocino and Sonoma Counties along Highway 1. The property was recently purchased for conservation by the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy (RCLC), with support from the State Coastal Conservancy and multiple other partners. It encompasses a portion of the…
PCI prepared an ecological resources assessment for this spectacular 821-acre property in 2013. Now, we are assisting Sonoma County Regional Parks in preparing plans for public access to, and resource management of, the diverse forests and scenic grasslands of this landmark location.
The Sonoma Developmental Center is a 900-acre state-owned facility in Glen Ellen, California proposed for redevelopment. The site has provided valued services to the developmentally disabled for a century, is beloved by the local community for recreation, hosts a key pinch point in a regional wildlife corridor, and is located in an area of highly…
PCI has prepared a conceptual design for proposed parkland along Kelly Creek in Petaluma. This 44-acre property will expand on the popular Helen Putnam Regional Park in Petaluma. The land had been proposed for housing by property owner Davidon Homes. However, thanks to community efforts led by the nonprofit Kelly Creek Protection Project, the site, which…
The City of Healdsburg took ownership of Fitch Mountain in November 2017 and will be operating and maintaining the property as a public park and open space preserve. The soon-to-be open Fitch Mountain Park and Open Space Preserve (Preserve) is a 173-acre property that encompasses the entire 991-foot peak of Fitch Mountain and most of…
PCI prepared the Laguna Wetlands Preserve Restoration and Management Plan for the City of Sebastopol. This Preserve lies at the edge of Sebastopol, where it is heavily used and highly valued by the public. It also encompasses highly valuable ecological and scenic resources and is protected by conservation easements. Management challenges on the Preserve include…
Taylor Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve is a 1,089-acre site in east Santa Rosa opened for public use in 2013, and distinguished by rich and varied wildlife habitat and panoramic views of the Santa Rosa Plain. PCI was retained by RRM Design Group to assist with preparation of a Master Plan for the…
PCI was retained by the Wildlands Conservancy and Sonoma Land Trust for planning and design of initial public access features for this 5,630-acre Preserve. The project involves the creation of a trailhead parking lot off Highway 1 north of Jenner, ADA-accessible restrooms and day-use area with picnic tables, ADA compliant access road and trail to…