Eva Buxton
The purpose of restoring different preserves throughout the County was discussed at a recent meeting of the Marin County Parks Equity Roundtable, which includes representatives from various environmental organizations and MCP employees.
Wilderness Way at Roy’s Redwoods OSP
Jon Campo, Principal Planner of Vegetation Management and Conservation and the project manager for the Roy’s Redwoods restoration project, has observed that visitors now stay on the trails and boardwalks at Roy’s Redwoods, whereas in the past people crisscrossed the forest floor, wading through creeks, and trampling vegetation. He emphasized that comprehensive planning work was done before the physical improvements.
The question was raised whether the restoration of Roy’s Redwoods for a few million dollars was growth-inducing, i.e., would the preserve attract more people now than in the past. MCP has been criticized for not creating enough “destinations,” not being inclusive enough, not wanting to draw people to its preserves, perhaps partly by not providing enough parking (Cascade Canyon, Old St. Hilary’s preserve with the addition of the Martha property).
willow wattle erosion control at Roy’s Redwoods Ann Elliott
Jon emphasized that the intent of MCP for its preserves is to create more sustainable environments and to minimize visitors’ impact on these sites. Therefore, the primary goal is not increased visitation but rather the protection and preservation of natural resources. However, as the population is growing in Marin and elsewhere, the number of visitors to preserves will likely also grow. Some data is available for Roy’s Redwoods, where cameras were installed before the project to monitor visitor behavior. They are being used again to observe if visitors stay on the designated and very distinct paths.
Circaea alpina ssp pacifica – enchanter’s nightshade by Vernon Smith
Marin County Parks received a Merit Award from California Trails and Greenways for the Roy’s Redwoods Restoration project. This state organization brings trail management professionals together to share knowledge about trail design, construction, maintenance, interpretation, volunteerism, and recreation.
I recommend a visit to Roy’s Redwoods; an old-growth redwood forest is awe-inspiring! Thousands of sword ferns (Polystichum munitum) have already been installed, and thousands of other plants are being planted, among them Enchanter’s Nightshade (Circaea alpina ssp. pacifica) , an uncommon species in Marin. When commenting on a CEQA document on behalf of CNPS a few years ago, I mentioned the presence of that species, which Doreen Smith had shown me on the preserve some decades ago. Some plants were salvaged before the restoration; others were grown from seed in the MCP nursery. I am eager to see this species again in the restored preserve!