CC SR 20210907 04 - 2020 Preserve Annual Report (Print Version - Alegria)
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 09/07/2021
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration and possible action to receive and file the 2020 Annual Report for the Palos
Verdes Nature Preserve.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Receive and file the 2020 Annual Report for the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Katie Lozano, Senior Administrative Analyst
REVIEWED BY: Cory Linder, Recreation and Parks Director
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. 2020 Palos Verdes Nature Preserve Annual Report (made available to the
City Council and public on August 15, 2021)
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
The City’s Natural Communities Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan
(NCCP/HCP) requires the City and the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
(PVPLC) to submit an Annual Report each year and a Comprehensive Monitoring and
Management Report every three years. The NCCP/HCP also establishes the PVPLC as
the City’s Preserve Habitat Manager and in this role, the PVPLC monitors and manages
the biological objectives of the NCCP/HCP. These objectives include:
• Maintaining or increasing populations of covered species to ensure long -term
viability and sustainability of native ecosystem function
• Documenting changes in the population of covered species through monitoring
covered species within conserved habitats
• Maintaining or increasing the acreage of habitat for covered species within the
Preserve through enhancing and restoring wildlife connections to adjoining habitat
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• Documenting the loss of and protection of covered species and their habitats in
the annual Habitat Tracking Report and Covered Species Report (reported in
Annual Report)
• Managing populations of non-native invasive plant species in the Preserve through
the Targeted Exotic Removal Plan for Plants (TERPP)
• Describing any new biological data collected, though this is not the primary focus
of the monitoring program
• Applying Adaptive Management to adjust conservation actions where needed
Per the Management Agreement between the City and the PVPLC, below are some of
the tasks the PVPLC conducts to implement the NCCP/HCP:
• Prepare the three-year Comprehensive Monitoring and Management Report
• Prepare the Annual Report
• Wildlife and botanical surveys for covered species
• Meet monthly and as needed with City Staff to coordinate Preserve management
• New habitat restoration (5 acres annually)
• Targeted Exotic Plant Control (5 acres or 20 small sites annually)
The PVPLC prepares the Annual Report based on the calendar year to evaluate the
implementation of the NCCP/HCP during the preceding year and evaluate the overall
process being made toward reaching the NCCP/HCP conservation goals. Required
elements of the Annual Report are:
• Gains/losses to habitat within the plan area by project, including a list of all covered
activities performed, the review process for each covered activity, and impacts to
covered species and vegetation from each project
• Impacts of public uses and recommendations, if necessary, for minimizing impacts
to the Preserve
• A summary of nighttime use of the Preserve
• All contributions toward the preservation of habitat lands
• Description of the management of invasive plant species
• Documentation of the habitat restoration efforts to enhance and restore native
plant communities and the results of biological monitoring
• Annual evaluation of management activities, enforcement activities, funding
needs, and ability to accomplish resource management goals
• A separate fiscal report prepared jointly by the City and PVPLC
• Summary of clerical changes made to the Plan, including corrections to maps or
exhibits, changes made to survey, monitoring, or reporting protocols
The PVPLC also prepares the Comprehensive Monitoring and Management Report every
three years. The next report will cover 2019-2021 and will be presented to the City Council
in May 2022. Comprehensive Monitoring and Management Reports include a synthesis
of all data collected in the preceding three years and an analysis of trends in biological
resources. These reports include the following components:
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• Updated Covered Species Surveys
• Updated Predator Control Plan
• Updated Habitat Restoration Plan
• Management recommendations based on species monitoring and management to
minimize loss or negative impacts to natural resources
• The Annual Report for the three-year period covered
2020 Annual Report
The 2020 Annual Report for consideration this evening includes the required annual
submittals listed above, including habitat loss tracking for 2020. A more comprehensive
tracking of habitat loss associated with the NCCP/HCP for the past duration of the permit
term will be provided with the 2019-21 Comprehensive Monitoring and Management
Report tentatively in May 2022.
During this reporting period, the City experienced a significant increase in visitation to the
Preserve, likely due to the decrease in recreational and entertainment options available
during pandemic-related closures. These substantial increases in use of open space area
and trails were observed by trail managers throughout Los Angeles County, and beyond.
During this reporting period, Staff has begun including Preserve Quarterly Enforcement
Reports and trail counter data to help describe public use in 2020. Staff will continue to
include these reports moving forward, because managing public use plays an essential
role in natural resource protection. One goal of the 2020 Annual Report is to analyze
whether the increase in use has made a detectable negative impact on the Preserve’s
natural resources, as discussed below.
a. Trail Counter Data
It is first helpful to understand the specific increase in use, and duration of increased use
observed in the Preserve. Trail counters are currently located at:
• Portuguese Bend Reserve
o Burma Road Trailhead
o Rattlesnake Trailhead
• Forrestal Reserve
o Pirate Trailhead
o Purple Sage Trailhead
o Fossil Trailhead
Trail counter data for the Burma Road Trail and Rattlesnake Trail is attached to this report
(for purposes of this report, public use is only being reported at Portuguese Bend Reserve
because this is the only location where the City had trail counters for this reporting period.
Trail counters were installed at Forrestal Reserve in summer 2021). For context, City Staff
attends quarterly Los Angeles County Trails Managers Task Force meetings and
Regional Recreation and Parks Director meetings. Nearly all trail managers are watching
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to see if trail use returns to pre-pandemic levels. There are mixed reports; many
managers do not have trail counters but anecdotally believe they are seeing reduced use,
but also feel it is too early to tell if it will be sustained. In 2019, Burma Road and
Rattlesnake Trailheads saw an average of 20,800 visitors per month. In response to stay-
at home health orders at the onset of the pandemic, the Preserve, along with all City
Parks, were closed to the public between March 17 and May 13, 2020. The City’s trail
counter data shows that public use at these trailheads nearly doubled by December 2020
at approximately 40,800, and then dropped to about 20,000 in June and July 2021. Los
Angeles County Department of Public Health restrictions were reduced significantly in
May 2021. While it is too early to tell if use levels have definitively returned to pre-
pandemic levels, June and July trends show a return to pre-pandemic use levels at these
two trailheads. More data will be provided next year in the 2021 Annual Report.
The City, wildlife agencies, and PVPLC are aware of the increased use experienced
between July 2020 – April 2021, and have worked to determine if negative impacts to the
natural resources resulted. The wildlife agencies and PVPLC have indicated that it is very
difficult to directly attribute increases in use with negative impacts to natural resources,
and that they could not identify a direct correlation between the two. Rather, they focus
on human behavior taking place that may impact the habitat. Human behavior can include
visitors trampling habitat and disturbing nesting areas by going off trail or allowing their
dogs off-leash to disturb covered species or leave waste in the habitat.
The wildlife agencies and PVPLC have made several management recommendations
(see below) in the 2020 Annual Report with the goal to better manage human behavior
especially in areas of increased natural resource sensitivity. Following these management
recommendations, are habitat management recommendations specifically targe ted to
increasing the success of habitat restoration areas. Additionally, the PVPLC will complete
a trail baseline study in 2021 which will establish baseline measurements of trails
throughout the Preserve. Once these baselines are established, the City, wildlife agencies
and PVPLC will be able to monitor whether habitat damage through trail widening is
occurring and take remedial management steps.
b. Management Recommendations Related to Public Use/Enforcement
Fully Staff the Park Ranger Program
One recommendation is to fully staff the Park Ranger Program and provide the Program
with the resources needed to minimize public use impacts. The Park Ranger Program is
part of the Recreation and Parks Department’s Open Space Management Division. The
division includes 15 part-time employees, four full-time Park Rangers, and one full-time
Recreation Supervisor dedicated to Preserve operations. This part-time presence patrols
the entire 1,400-acre Preserve achieving rules compliance and performing maintenan ce
tasks (litter/dumped item removal, trail work, graffiti removal, etc.), operates the Abalone
Cove Park/Reserve/Beach and associated parking lot, performs administrative tasks for
the Division, and most recently, provides parking enforcement in the Del Cerro Park area.
In 2020 and early 2021, the division lost 70% of this part-time force, and Park Rangers
spent a significant amount of their time covering the entire Division’s workload. The City
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has been actively recruiting since April 2021, and has hired on and is in the process of
training five new employees. However, turnover has been high, and there is currently a
challenge statewide recruiting for part-time positions.
Fully staffing and providing resources for the Park Ranger Program benefits the natura l
resources, because Park Rangers shape public behavior through education, presence,
and enforcement. Some common (human behavior) violations addressed by the Program
are dogs off-leash, visitors off-trail, motorized vehicles, and smoking.
Continue Coordination Between City and PVPLC Staff and Volunteers
The City and PVPLC coordinate closely on NCCP/HCP implementation and Preserve
management. City and PVPLC staff meet monthly, and often more frequently to
coordinate specific projects and activities. Additionally, Park Rangers meet monthly with
the PVPLC’s Volunteer Trail Watch Program leaders. The Volunteer Trail Watch is an
excellent proactive PVPLC volunteer program by which volunteers patrol the Preserve in
uniform, educate Preserve users with interpretive and rules information, and provide the
City and PVPLC with detailed monthly reports on public use and maintenance
observations. The 2020 Annual Report emphasize s the importance of this continual
communication and coordination. In 2021, Park Rangers and the Volunteer Trail Watch
increased the frequency of their meetings from bi-monthly to monthly.
Regulatory Signs
Signs are an important element of public education, and it enables enforcement personnel
to issue citations when necessary. The 2020 Annual Report emphasizes the importance
of signs, recommends maintaining existing signs when vandalized, and identifying new
locations where regulatory signs are needed. In 2020 and 2021, City and PVPLC staff
worked together to identify signs necessary to help correct public use issues. Some new
signs installed in late 2020 and 2021 includes prohibiting e-bikes, authorized vehicle-only,
dogs on leash, Marine Protected Areas, Marine Mammal regulation, and trail and area
closure signs.
Target Sensitive Habitat Areas
While there is native habitat located throughout 1,400 -acre Preserve, some areas are
significantly more sensitive, because they provide host habitat for covered species, are
annual nesting sites, or contain concentrations of sensitive covered plant species. While
the Public Use Master Plan and Preserve Trails Plan establish trails to specifically avoid,
and thereby protect these areas, spur trails continue to be a serious concern in the
Preserve. Spur trails leading into these sensitive areas are especially problematic and
impactful to the conservation goals of the Preserve.
While Park Rangers have training on natural resorce management and in many cases
certificates in interpretation, PVPLC recommends and has offered specific and targeted
training to Park Rangers on these especially sensitive locations and covered species
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behavior. While communication on enforcement needs is continual, this specialized
training is scheduled to begin in September 2021.
c. Management Recommendations for Habitat /Covered Species Monitoring
This report includes PVPLC evaluations on how well habitat restoration areas at multiple
reserves are meeting the required success criteria identified in the NCCP/HCP. It also
includes descriptions on adaptive approaches to achieve success criteria. Some of these
habitat recommendations include use of drip irrigation, increasing groundcover density,
controlling weeds, and targeted soil disturbance to stimulate early host plant species
germination. Covered plant species surveys were completed in 2019, and covered bird
and butterfly species (California Gnatcatcher, cactus wren, and El Segundo Blue
Butterfly) surveys will be completed in 2021. Both plant and bird surveys will be included
as a required submittal in the 2019-2021 Comprehensive Management Report, which will
come before the City Council in May 2022.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Report Submittal Timeline
The next three-year Comprehensive Monitoring and Management Report will be created
for 2019-2021 and presented to the City Council tentatively in May 2022. Per the
NCCP/HCP and City-PVPLC Management Agreement, the PVPLC completes the Annual
Reports and Comprehensive Reports on behalf of the City in February of the year
following the reported upon period and submits the reports to the wildlife agencies for
review. Once the wildlife agencies and City review and make recommendations, the
PVPLC makes the changes, and submits the reports to the City Council in May. The delay
in presenting 2020 Annual Report is primarly due to the City, PVPLC, and wildlife
agencies focus on completing the NCCP/HCP. Additionally, all four agencies also
experienced operational delays and changes in priority due to the pandemic. Now that
the NCCP/HCP was approved by the City Council in November 2019 , and the 2019
Annual Report was filed by the City Council in April 2021, with the completion of the 2020
Annual Report, the 2021 Annual Report should align with the NCCP/HCP timelines.
Public Notification
On August 15, 2021, a message was sent to the subscribers of the Palos Verdes Nature
Preserve, Trails Network Plan, and Equestrian listserv groups, announcing the 2020
Preserve Annual Report would be considered at the September 7, 2021 City Council
meeting. This message also provided a link for the public to access the Annual Report for
early review prior to the City Council meeting. The report was also discussed at the July
21 Preserve Public Forum. Notices of the September 7 City Council meeting were posted
at several major trailheads. Hard copies are also available at City Hall and Hesse Park
for public review upon request. To date, no public comments have been submitted to the
City.
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ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to the Staff recommendations, the following alternative action s are available
for the City Council’s consideration:
1. Identify additional information to be included in the 2020 Annual Report and
direct Staff to return at a later date with an updated annual report.
2. Take other action, as deemed appropriate.
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Land Conservancy Palos Verdes Peninsula
May 2021
PO Box 3427
Palos Verdes Peninsula,
California 90274
T 310-541-7613
F 310-541-7623
www.pvplc.org
January -- December 2020 PALOS VERDES NATURE PRESERVE ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE
RANCHO PALOS VERDES
NATURAL COMMUNITY CONSERVATION PLAN
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Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
2020 ANNUAL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 1
Annual Submittals……………………………………………………………………… .. 1
Site Description ................................................................................................................................ 2
2 HABITAT RESTORATION .......................................................................................................... 4
Alta Vicente Reserve ....................................................................................................................... 5
Portuguese Bend Reserve .............................................................................................................. 9
Abalone Cove Reserve…………………………………………………………………. . 12
3 ADDITIONAL RESTORATION ................................................................................................. 14
Abalone Cove.................................................................................................................................... 19
Agua Amarga ..................................................................................................................................... 19
Vicente Bluffs ..................................................................................................................................... 19
Portuguese Bend ............................................................................................................................... 19
Fuel Load Reduction Project…………………………………………………………… . 19
4 MONITORING .................................................................................................................................... 20
Habitat Restoration Monitoring .................................................................................................... 20
Covered Species ............................................................................................................................... 21
Reintroduction Monitoring Results…………………………………………………….. . 22
Covered Project/Activity Tracking ............................................................................................... 22
5 UTILITY AND CONTRACTOR ACCESS ........................................................................... 23
6 TARGETED EXOTIC REMOVAL PROGRAM FOR PLANTS .................................... 24
7 FUEL MODIFICATION .................................................................................................................. 24
8 COMMUNITY SCIENCE AND EDUCATION ...................................................... 25
9 TRAIL MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING ................................................................... 25
Preserve Trails Plan ......................................................................................................................... 25
Trail Management ............................................................................................................................. 26
Unauthorized Trail Closures ......................................................................................................... 26
Trail Repair ........................................................................................................................................ 27
Trail Monitoring ................................................................................................................................ 27
Summary of Nighttime Use……………………………………………………………… 28
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Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
Public Use Impacts and Recommendations…………………………………………….. . 28
10 VOLUNTEER INVOLVEMENT ............................................................................................... 28
11 CONTRIBUTIONS TO PRESERVATION .......................................................................... 28
12 EVALUATION OF MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES ....................................................... 29
Evaluation of Enforcement Activities…………………………………………………… 30
Evaluation of Funding Needs……………………………………………………………. 31
Evaluation of Ability to Accomplish Resource Management Goals…………………….. 31
13 SUMMARY OF CLERICAL CHANGES AND CHANGES TO
MONITORING/REPORTING .......................................................................................................... 32
14 PALOS VERDES PENINSULA LAND CONSERVANCY BOARD AND
STAFF………… ....................................................................................................................................... 32
15 REPORT CERTIFICATION STATEMENT……………………………………… 34
TABLES
1. Reserve Names of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve ..................................................... 4
2. Restoration Project Schedule for Alta Vicente Reserve Phases 1-4 .............................. 6
3. Restoration Project Schedule for Portuguese Bend Reserve Phases 1-5 ..................... 10
4. Restoration Project Schedule for Abalone Cove Reserve Phases 1 - 3…….…….... 12
5. Palos Verdes Nature Preserve Restoration Projects through 2020……………….. 14
6. Habitat Impacts in the PVNP in 2020………………………………………………. 23
FIGURES
1. Map of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve with Associated Reserves Locations ...... 3
2. Map of Restoration Areas at Alta Vicente Reserve Phases 1-3 ..................................... 7
3. Map of Restoration Areas at Alta Vicente Reserve Phases 3-4 ..................................... 8
4. Map of Restoration Areas at Portuguese Bend Reserve Phases 1-5 ............................ 11
5. Map of Restoration Areas at Abalone Cove Reserve Phases 1-3………………… 13
6A-C Maps for All Restoration Projects in the PVNP…………………………………16-18
APPENDICES
A. Abalone Cove Restoration Plan
B. Restoration Monitoring
C. Habitat Impacts
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Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
D.Targeted Exotic Removal Program for Plants
E.Research and Monitoring
F.Trail Management and Monitoring
G.Volunteer Programs
H.Quarterly Enforcement Reports and Trail Counter Data
I.Financial Reporting
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2020 Annual Report - Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The 2020 Palos Verdes Nature Preserve Annual Report for the Rancho Palos Verdes Natural
Community Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan (NCCP/HCP) fulfills annual submittal
requirements by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy (PVPLC) and City of Rancho
Palos Verdes (City) for the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve (Preserve). It serves the purpose of
evaluating the implementation of the NCCP/HCP during the preceding year and the adequacy
of the overall progress being made toward reaching the conservation goals of the NCCP/HCP.
Annual submittal requirements are:
•Gains/losses to habitat within the Plan Area by project, including a list of all Covered
Activities performed, the review process for each Covered Activity, and impacts to
Covered Species and vegetation from each project
•Impacts of public uses and recommendations, if necessary, for minimizing impacts to the
Preserve
•A summary of night time use of the Preserve
•All contributions toward the preservation of habitat lands
•Description of the management of invasive plant species
•Documentation of the habitat restoration efforts to enhance and restore native plant
communities and the results of biological monitoring
•Annual evaluation of management activities, enforcement activities, funding needs, and
ability to accomplish resource management goals
•A separate fiscal report prepared jointly by the City and PVPLC
•Summary of clerical changes made to the Plan, including corrections to maps or exhibits,
changes made to survey, monitoring, or reporting protocols
Additionally, this report details stewardship activities, research, funding, enforcement reports,
trail counter data, and community involvement in the Preserve during the period January 1
through December 31, 2020.
PVPLC is the designated Habitat Manager for the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve for the City of
Rancho Palos Verdes. The Preserve encompasses approximately 1,400 acres and is located on
the southern side of the Palos Verdes Peninsula in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
The Preserve was formed under the RPV NCCP/HCP (adopted by City Council in October 2019)
to “maximize benefits to wildlife and vegetation communities while accommodating appropriate
economic development within the City and region pursuant to the requirements of the
NCCP/HCP Act and Section 10(a) of the ESA (URS 2004a).” As a primary component of the
NCCP/HCP, a Preserve design was proposed to conserve regionally important habitat areas and
provide habitat linkages in order to benefit sensitive plants and wildlife. PVPLC manages the
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2020 Annual Report - Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
habitat in the Preserve per the requirements of the NCCP/HCP as well as other Preserve
management duties further detailed in a management agreement with the City.
The primary focus of management for the Preserve is to maintain or restore habitat for the
covered plant and animal species listed in the NCCP/HCP. A Habitat Management Plan was
adopted in 2007 that outlines the restoration of five acres per year for a total of 15 acres over
a three-year period. This plan also outlined the methodology for removal of exotic plant
species, a predator control plan, and the monitoring of covered plant and animal species. PVPLC
seeks additional funding when possible, to perform restoration on more than the minimum five
acres per year required in the NCCP/HCP. Several opportunities of this nature occurred during
the reporting period that enabled PVPLC to implement additional restoration as detailed below.
Additionally, PVPLC executes several trail projects and habitat protection and enhancement
measures with the aid of staff, volunteers and additional funding sources.
PVPLC also facilitates scientific research through community science programs and academic
research in the Preserve. Volunteers greatly support the implementation of management
strategies for the Preserve by assisting in monitoring the properties, wildlife, and habitat as well
as helping restore habitat and maintain trails. Collaborating with regional high schools and colleges
allows for scientific research that expands our understanding of the Preserve.
Site Description
The Preserve is located on the southern side of the Palos Verdes Peninsula in the City of Rancho
Palos Verdes, California (Figure 1). The approximately 1,400-acre Preserve has been divided into
twelve subareas referred to as Reserves (Table 1).
The topography of the Preserve is diverse, ranging from relatively flat lowland areas above steep
coastal bluffs in the south, to very steep slopes, ridgelines and gullies on the slopes to the north.
Elevations range from approximately sea level along the coastal edges of Vicente Bluffs, Abalone
Cove, and Ocean Trails Reserves to approximately 1,300 feet above mean sea level at the
northern most parcel, Vista Del Norte Reserve. Adjacent land uses include single-family
residences on most sides, open space associated with neutral lands on the Peninsula, the Pacific
Ocean to the south and west, and the Los Verdes and Trump National golf courses near the
western and eastern ends of the Preserve area.
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2020 Annual Report - Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
Figure 1. Map of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve with associated Reserves locations.
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2020 Annual Report - Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
Table 1
Reserve Names of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve. See Figure 1 for locations.
Abalone Cove Reserve Ocean Trails Reserve*
Agua Amarga Reserve Portuguese Bend Reserve
Alta Vicente Reserve San Ramon Reserve
Filiorum Reserve Three Sisters Reserve
Forrestal Reserve Vicente Bluffs Reserve
Malaga Canyon Reserve** Vista del Norte Reserve
*Not managed by PVPLC, but managed under Habitat Conservation Plan
** Will be added to the Preserve when NCCP/HCP is adopted
2 .0 HABITAT RESTORATION PLAN
Restoration is the process of re-establishing or enhancing historical biological functions and values
to degraded habitats. Section 7.5 of the NCCP/HCP requires that the City restore a minimum of
250 acres of habitat over the Permit Term within the Preserve. A minimum of 5 acres of native
habitat shall be restored each year, or a total of 15 acres every three years if exigencies prevent
restoration of 5 acres each year.
The initial Preserve Habitat Management Plan (PHMP) for the Draft NCCP/HCP was created in
2007. A component of the PHMP was the Habitat Restoration Plan for five acres per year for a
total of 15 acres over the first three-year period. This plan was completed in April 2007 and
concluded that Alta Vicente Reserve in the Preserve ranked the highest in terms of site suitability
for an immediate restoration project. However, since a fire occurred at Portuguese Bend Reserve
in August 2009, plans were adapted to focus immediate habitat restoration at Portuguese Bend, and
only Phase 1 and 2 (10 acres) were implemented at Alta Vicente. The Restoration Plan for
Portuguese Bend covered habitat restoration and monitoring of 25 acres over five years (2010
to 2015).
In 2015, PVPLC developed new habitat restoration plans to execute the final phases of the restoration
at Alta Vicente, and these plans were included in the 2015 Comprehensive Report. Phase 3 was
initiated in 2016 and Phase 4 initiated in 2017, with the installation of drip irrigation and coastal sage
scrub vegetation species. In 2016, the Habitat Restoration Plan for the Abalone Cove Ecological
Reserve was developed to continue with restoration at Abalone Cove Reserve. The plan includes
three phases with site preparation of the first phase beginning in 2019. A new restoration plan is
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2020 Annual Report - Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
expected to be completed in 2021 to continue with the goal of completing 250 acres of
restoration within the permit term for the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve.
2.1 ALTA VICENTE RESERVE RESTORATION
The Habitat Restoration Plan for Alta Vicente Reserve outlined appropriate habitat revegetation
locations and methodology to adequately comply with the Preserve Management requirements
of the Rancho Palos Verdes NCCP/HCP. The Habitat Restoration Plan for Alta Vicente Reserve
provided guidelines for the establishment of coastal sage scrub (CSS), coastal cactus scrub (CCS), and
PVB butterfly habitat on a total of 15 acres during 3 consecutive years at the Alta Vicente Reserve
with an additional 5 acres added to the project.
The habitat restoration conducted at the Alta Vicente Reserve consists of four phases, with one
phase initiated each year. The first five-acre phase of restoration, Phase 1 (Figure 2) began with
site preparation during the fall of 2007 and 2008 to minimize weeds after planting (as per the
timeline in the Alta Vicente Restoration Plan, Table 2). Phase 1 plants were installed and
hydroseeded during the winter of 2009/2010. Site preparation for Phase 2 began in fall 2008. In
December 2010, staff removed Acacia cyclops and completed planting and seeding in the Phase 2
area. Staff weeded and maintained Phase 1 and 2. Additional container plants were installed from
2012 to 2017 to fill in areas with low native plant cover.
Phase 3 (Figure 3) was initiated in fall 2016 with the installation of drip irrigation system and
container plants throughout the 5 acre area. Year 1 monitoring began in spring 2018. Preparation
for Phase 4 planting began in summer 2017 with site clearing using goats and drip irrigation system
installation. Phase 4 planting began in winter 2017 and extended through early 2018, Year 1
monitoring began in spring 2019.
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2020 Annual Report - Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
Table 2
Restoration Project Schedule for Alta Vicente Reserve, based on the Alta
Vicente Reserve Habitat Restoration Plan. PHASE 1 Task Date
Site clearing and soil preparation Fall 2007, Fall 2008
Installation of temporary irrigation system Fall 2008
Weed/exotic removal and grow-kill cycles Fall 2008-Spring 2009
Planting container stock Early Winter 2009/2010
Hydroseed application Winter 2009/2010 (following planting)
Completion of installation/assessment of site
installation
Following completion of installation and
seeding and 120 day maintenance period
5-year biological monitoring and maintenance To begin upon successful installation of
restoration work
Phase one completion 2015, end of Year 5 PHASE 2 Site clearing and soil preparation Fall 2008, Fall 2009
Installation of temporary irrigation system Fall 2008, Fall 2009
Weed/exotic removal and grow-kill cycles Fall 2008, Fall 2009,-Spring 2010
Planting container stock Winter 2010/2011
Seed application Winter 2010/2011 (following planting)
Completion of installation/assessment of site
installation
Following completion of installation and
seeding and 120 day maintenance period
5-year biological monitoring and maintenance To begin upon successful installation of
restoration work
Phase two completion 2016, end of Year 5 PHASE 3 Begin site preparation, weed removal Fall 2016
Install irrigation Fall 2016
Planting Container Stock Fall and Early Winter 2016
Seed application Fall and Early Winter 2017
Monitoring and Maintenance Begin after planting, Winter 2016
5-year biological monitoring and maintenance Spring 2018-Spring 2022
Begin site preparation, weed removal Summer 2017 PHASE 4 Install irrigation Fall 2017
Planting Container Stock Fall and Early Winter 2017
Seed application Fall and Early Winter 2017
Monitoring and Maintenance Began after planting, Winter 2017
5-year biological monitoring and maintenance Spring 2019-Spring 2023
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2020 Annual Report - Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
Figure 2. Map of Phase 1-3 Restoration Areas at Alta Vicente Reserve
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2020 Annual Report - Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
Figure 3. Map of Phase 3 and 4 Restoration Areas at Alta Vicente Reserve
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2020 Annual Report - Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
2 .2 PORTUGUESE BEND RESERVE RESTORATION
The habitat restoration plan for Portuguese Bend was to complete 25 acres in five phases (Table
3, Figure 4). Site preparation at Portuguese Bend began in February 2010. Field staff weeded
(hand/herbicide) the burn area in 2010. In February 2011, goats were deployed to clear
vegetation. Due to the high density of weeds, an additional year of weeding was implemented,
and plants were installed on ten acres in fall 2012 (Phase 1 and Phase 2).
PVPLC implemented “grow and kill” prior to plant installation, and improve seed and plant
survival after planting. Phases 1, 2 and 3 were irrigated with overhead sprinklers. Drip irrigation
was installed for Phases 4 in fall 2014 and for Phase 5 in fall 2015, coinciding with the plant
installation for those phases. Weed control is implemented in all phases for five years minimum
after they are initiated. Table 3 provides the implementation schedule for Phase 1 through 5 at
Portuguese Bend.
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2020 Annual Report - Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
Table 3
Restoration Project Schedule for Portuguese Bend Reserve Phases 1, 2, 3, 4 and
5, based on the Portuguese Bend Reserve Habitat Restoration Plan PHASE1 and PHASE 2 Task Date
Begin site preparation, weed removal Fall 2010
Install irrigation Winter 2012
Final site preparation: weed and thatch removal Fall 2012
Installation: Seeding and planting Fall 2012-Early Winter 2013
Maintenance weeding Winter 2013-Spring 2014
Fill-in planting, as needed Fall 2013-Fall 2014
5-year biological monitoring and maintenance Spring 2013-Spring 2017
Phase one and two completion 2017, end of Year 5 PHASE 3 Site preparation, weed removal Fall 2012-Fall 2013
Final site preparation: weed and thatch removal Fall 2013
Installation: Seeding and planting Fall 2013-Early Winter 2014
Maintenance weeding Winter 2014-Spring 2015
Remedial seeding, as needed Fall 2014-Fall 2015
5-year biological monitoring and maintenance Spring 2014-Spring 2018
Phase three completion 2018, end of Year 5 PHASE 4 Site preparation, weed removal Fall 2013-Fall 2014
Final site preparation: weed and thatch removal Fall 2014
Installation: Seeding and planting Fall 2014-Early Winter 2015
Maintenance weeding Winter 2015-Spring 2016
Remedial seeding, as needed Fall 2015-Fall 2016
5-year biological monitoring and maintenance Spring 2015-Spring 2019
Phase 4 completion 2019, end of Year 5 PHASE 5 Site preparation, weed removal Fall 2014-Fall 2015
Final site preparation: weed and thatch removal Fall 2015
Installation: Seeding and planting Fall 2015-Early Winter 2016
Maintenance weeding Winter 2016-Spring 2017
Remedial seeding, as needed Fall 2016-Fall 2017
5-year biological monitoring and maintenance Spring 2016-Spring 2020
Phase 5 completion 2020, end of Year 5
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2020 Annual Report - Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
Figure 4. Map of Phase 1 – 5 Restoration Areas at Portuguese Bend Reserve
2020 Annual Report – Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
2.3 ABALONE COVE RESTORATION
The habitat restoration project at Abalone Cove Reserve will restore 15.3 total acres of mixed
coastal scrub (Table 4, Figure 5). The project began in 2019, by introducing goats to graze the
Phase 1 area to reduce the cover of invasive plants and prepare the site for the upcoming habitat
planting effort set to occur in 2020. At the end of 2019 and through the end of 2020, PVPLC
crews removed non-native woody shrubs such as acacia and peppertree. Planting in phase 1
began in winter of 2019 following irrigation installation. Phase 2 planting began in fall of 2020
following site preparation and irrigation installation for that phase. The full restoration plan can
be found in Appendix A.
Table 4
Restoration Project Schedule for Abalone Cove Reserve, based on the Abalone
Cove Reserve Habitat Restoration Plan PHASE 1 Task Date
Site clearing Fall 2019
Installation of supplemental watering system Spring 2020
Invasive weed species control and grow-kill cycles Fall 2019 – Summer 2020
Planting container stock Spring 2020
Seed application Fall 2020
Monitoring and maintenance To begin upon successful installation of plants PHASE 2 Site clearing Spring 2020
Installation of supplemental watering system Summer 2020
Invasive weed species control and grow-kill cycles Spring 2020 – Fall 2020
Planting container stock Fall 2020
Seed application Fall 2020
Monitoring and maintenance To begin upon successful installation of plants PHASE 3 Site clearing Spring 2021
Installation of supplemental watering system Summer 2021
Invasive weed species control and grow-kill cycles Spring 2021 – Fall 2021
Planting container stock Fall 2021
Seed application Fall 2021
Monitoring and maintenance To begin upon successful installation of plants
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2020 Annual Report – Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
Figure 5. Map of Phase 1 – 3 Restoration Areas at Abalone Cove Reserve
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2020 Annual Report – Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
3 .0 ADDITIONAL RESTORATION ACTIVITIES IN 2020
PVPLC seeks additional funding, to perform restoration on more than the minimum five acres
per year required in the NCCP/HCP. Several funding opportunities were pursued during the
reporting period but no awards were received in 2020. Figure 6A-6C provides a site map for all
restoration projects active in 2020, including the restoration at Alta Vicente, Portuguese Bend
and Abalone Cove Reserves that fulfills the requirements of the NCCP/HCP Habitat Restoration
Plan. A complete summary of all restoration work completed in the Preserve, along with maps
of restoration sites, can be found in Table 5.
Table 5. PALOS VERDES NATURE PRESERVE RESTORATION PROJECTS THROUGH 2020
Funding source Location
Habitat
Type Acres Status
Start
Date
End
Date
NCCP/HCP
Alta Vicente NCCP Phase 1 CSS 4.5 completed 2007 2014
Alta Vicente NCCP Phase 1 PVB habitat 0.5 completed 2007 2014
Alta Vicente NCCP Phase 2 CSS 4 completed 2008 2015
Alta Vicente NCCP Phase 2 cactus scrub 0.5 completed 2008 2015
Alta Vicente NCCP Phase 2 PVB habitat 0.5 active 2008 2015
Alta Vicente
NCCP/LA County
Grant Phase 3 CSS 4.5 active 2016 2022
Alta Vicente
NCCP/LA County
Grant Phase 3 wildflowers 0.5 active 2016 2022
Alta Vicente
NCCP/LA County
Grant Phase 4 cactus scrub 1 active 2017 2023
Alta Vicente
NCCP/LA County
Grant Phase 4 PVB habitat 1 active 2017 2023
Alta Vicente
NCCP/LA County
Grant Phase 4 CSS 5 active 2017 2023
Portuguese Bend NCCP Phase 1 and 2 CSS 8 completed 2010 2017
Portuguese Bend NCCP Phase 1 and 2 cactus scrub 2 completed 2010 2017
Portuguese Bend NCCP Phase 3 CSS 5 completed 2012 2018
Portuguese Bend NCCP Phase 4 CSS 5 completed 2013 2019
Portuguese Bend NCCP Phase 5 CSS 4 completed 2014 2020
Portuguese Bend NCCP Phase 5 cactus scrub 1 active 2014 2020
Abalone Cove NCCP Phase 1 CSS 4.8 active 2019 2025
Abalone Cove NCCP Phase 2 Mixed CSS 4 active 2020 2026
Abalone Cove NCCP Phase 3 Mixed CSS 4.3 active 2021 2027
Additional Projects
Abalone Cove
Coastal
Conservancy,
NFWF, SMBRC,
USFWS CSS 5 completed 2013 2016
Abalone Cove Heritage Castle
CSS, Cactus
Scrub, 1.5 Active 2020 2025
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2020 Annual Report – Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
Butterfly
habitat
Agua Amarga USFWS CSS 2 completed 2001 2003
Agua Amarga USFWS riparian 0.5 completed 2004 2005
Agua Amarga LACSD riparian 0.25 completed 2011 2016
Agua Amarga D&M riparian 0.2 completed 2012 2017
Alta Vicente PVPLC
Alta Vicente
Trail
Cactus
Scrub 0.82 Completed 2018 ongoing
Filiorum PVPLC Pony
Cactus
Scrub 3.08 Completed 2018 ongoing
Portuguese Bend
El Segundo
Mitigation Ishibashi
CSS and
grassland 9.5 completed 2010 2015
Portuguese Bend HCF grant Ishibashi CSS 0.25 completed 2012 2015
Portuguese Bend HCF grant Peppertree CSS 0.5 completed 2012 2015
Portuguese Bend
Local Assistance
Grant cactus scrub 3 completed 2010 2011
Portuguese Bend PVPLC Peacock Flats cactus scrub 0.86 Active 2018
Three Sisters LAWA CSS 13.3 completed 2007 2013
Three Sisters LAWA grassland 7.7 completed 2007 2013
Three
Sisters/McCarrell's
Canyon
Coastal
Conservancy riparian 0.5 completed 2009 2012
Three
Sisters/McCarrell's
Canyon
Coastal
Conservancy CSS 2 completed 2009 2012
Three Sisters PVPLC
McCarrell
Canyon Trail
Cactus
Scrub 2.3 completed 2018 ongoing
Vicente Bluffs
Coastal
Conservancy
coastal
scrub 2 completed 2009 2014
Vicente Bluffs PVPLC Adopt-a-Plot ESB habitat 0.1 active 2016 ongoing
TOTAL 115.50
*NCCP Funding Sources include a combination of sources including the City of Rancho Palos Verdes Management
Agreement,
community contributions, and grants to name a few.
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2020 Annual Report – Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
FIGURE 6A . PALOS VERDES NATURE PRESERVE RESTORATION THROUGH 2020
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2020 Annual Report – Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
F IGURE 6B . P ALOS VERDES NATURE PRESERVE RESTORATION THROUGH 2020
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2020 Annual Report – Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
FIGURE 6C. PALOS VERDES NATURE PRESERVE RESTORATION THROUGH 2020
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2020 Annual Report – Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
3 .1 ABALONE COVE
In 2015, illegal grading took place in the Abalone Cove Reserve. The city took action working
closely with the US Fish and Wildlife Service to create a mitigation plan for the area. Project
planning and design began and in 2019, site preparation started with the removal of non-native
species. Irrigation installation and planting occurred in 2020 followed by site maintenance. Site
maintenance is set to occur for 5 years along with monitoring.
3 .2 AGUA AMARGA
In 2012, an additional mitigation project (D&M Eight LTD) funded the planting of 147 riparian
plants at Lunada Canyon. The plants were installed in January 2014 and irrigated with a drip
irrigation system. Severe rains in 2014 caused torrential stream flows that removed some of
the installed plants. PVPLC installed replacement plants and monitored the site’s recovery in
2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. The final report was submitted in 2019. Continued maintenance
occurred at the site in 2020 with light weeding and trash cleanup in the riparian zone.
3 .3 VICENTE BLUFFS
In June 2008, a grant agreement was signed with the State Coastal Conservancy to provide habitat
restoration at Vicente Bluffs Reserve. PVPLC restored three acres of coastal bluff scrub and El
Segundo blue butterfly habitat by removing acacia, pampas grass and ice plant, and installing
container plants with coastal bluff scrub and El Segundo blue butterfly host plants. PVPLC added
plants to this site in 2013, 2014 and 2015 to fulfill the grant goals. Since then, volunteers have
continued the effort to plant host plants and remove weeds through 2020 in order to expand
habitat area for the El Segundo blue butterfly.
3.4 PORTUGUESE BEND
In 2012, PVPLC received funding from the Habitat Conservation Fund to create trail-side habitat
consisting of coastal sage scrub and cactus scrub to close unauthorized trails. The closeout of this
grant occurred in 2018. PVPLC continues to monitor the successful completed work and
maintain closures on unauthorized trails.
3.5 FUEL LOAD REDUCTION PROJECT
In the summer of 2019, PVPLC proposed a fuel load reduction project to the city of RPV which
consisted of the removal of 23 acres of Acacia (Acacia cyclops) shrubs and 15 acres of non-
native mustard. This approved project occurred in three locations in the Portuguese Bend
Reserve near Portuguese Canyon and in the southern area of the preserve near Narcissa drive.
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2020 Annual Report – Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
Large Acacia shrubs were cut, chipped and taken offsite where possible. PVPLC is monitoring
the areas of Acacia removal to treat any regrowth and to remove any seedlings. Goats were
used in the San Ramon Reserve to reduce the large stands of non-native brush along the San
Ramon Trail. In the winter of 2019, a second project was proposed to continue with the
removal of Acacia and the mowing of mustard. A proposed 31 acres of high density Acacia
stand removal and 16 acres of mowing was planned for Portuguese Bend, Forrestal, Vicente
Bluffs, Filiorum, Three Sisters, and San Ramon for 2020. Locations were chosen based on
surrounding vegetation types and native plant observations below the invasive species canopies.
Do to access issues, stand density and native plant cover, only 14 acres of the Acacia were
removed and 10.8 acres of mustard were mowed throughout 2020. Large stands of native
plants were uncovered below the invasive species. PVPLC is monitoring these locations for
Acacia regrowth and treating as needed.
The full details of the Acacia removal and fuel load reduction project can be found in the
Targeted Exotic Removal Program for Plants, Appendix D.
4 .0 MONITORING
4 .1 HABITAT RESTORATION MONITORING
PVPLC’s stewardship staff conducted surveys at the restoration sites throughout the Preserve
including quantitative vegetation transects, qualitative vegetation assessments and photo point
monitoring. Vegetation transect surveys were conducted using standardized methods (line
intercept and CNPS Rapid Vegetation Assessment) that provide data on the cover of native and
non-native plants in the habitat in order to evaluate success against criteria as determined in the
habitat restoration plans. Quantitative point-intercept transect surveys are conducted in Year 3
and Year 5 after planting, whereas qualitative rapid vegetation assessments are conducted in Years
1, 2 and 4. In 2020, restoration monitoring was conducted at Alta Vicente and Portuguese Bend
Reserves. Detailed monitoring reports are in Appendix B.
At Alta Vicente, the plants in all phases of the restoration area are healthy and growing. The
cactus scrub has met success criteria. The coastal sage scrub in Phase 1 and 2 has achieved success
criteria of 50% native plant cover. Over the years, PVPLC has adapted its approach to restoration
and resulting low percent cover by increasing plant density and utilizing drip irrigation instead of
overhead sprinklers in subsequent restoration projects. The Palos Verdes blue butterfly habitat
has not met the success criteria (>10%), due to low numbers of host plants along either of the
transects (2% and 6% qualitatively). In 2021 staff will continue to focus on controlling weeds on a
regular basis to decrease competition and increase bare ground for seed germination. Targeted soil
disturbance will also occur to stimulate early successional host plant species germination. PVPLC
will continue to observe and control weeds in Phase 1 and Phase 2 to observe the rate of
restoration and monitor butterfly habitat transects, but will stop monitoring CSS habitat transects
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2020 Annual Report – Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
since they are beyond Year 9 of restoration and are meeting qualitative measurements. Phase 3
was monitored for its Year 3 analysis in 2020. Using quantitative methods (CNPS Rapid
Vegetation Assessment Method) coastal sage scrub and wildflower habitats were found to be at
or just below Year 3 goals with native cover. Two new Coastal Sage Scrub monitoring transects
were established in Phase 3 and were found to be 38% (AV7) and 42% (AV8). Phase 3 is believed
to be on track to meet year 5 success criteria. The wildflower restored areas (Year 3) and Phase
4 (Year 2) were monitored qualitatively and are believed to be approaching success criteria in
CSS habitat areas (40%).
At Portuguese Bend, Phase 1 and 2 were installed the same year (2012), to allow for an additional
year of weed control at the site prior to planting. Therefore, they both represent Year 8 after
plant installation for the 2020 monitoring. Plants were healthy, and recruitment from seed was
observed at the site, however several transects within coastal sage scrub habitat (north and south
facing) of Phase 1 and 2 continued to struggle to meet success criteria. This is likely due to now-
discontinued restoration methods of overhead irrigation and sparse planting arrays. After meeting
success criteria after the qualitative monitoring, transects PB1, PB2 and PB3 will not be monitored
again in the future. The cactus scrub restoration in Phase 1 and 2 had already met success criteria
in 2018. In Phase 3, native plant cover achieved quantitative success criteria achieving Year 5
standards in 2018. In Phase 4 (Year 5) quantitative and qualitative measurements describe this
transect as meeting criteria for both native and non-native plant cover in 2018 and transect PB7
(Phase 4) will be removed from future monitoring activities. In Phase 5 CSS habitat (PB8) both
quantitative and qualitative methods were used to monitor the habitat. PB8 was found to have a
native plant cover of 81% quantitatively and 58.5% qualitatively. Phase 5 transect PB8 has met
success criteria and will not be surveyed in 2021 or beyond. The cactus scrub habitat transect,
PB9 (Phase 5) restoration was evaluated against success criteria in 2020 and was surveyed using
both quantitative (point intercept) and qualitative (CNPS Rapid Vegetation Assessment) methods.
Quantitative measurements describe this transect as meeting criteria for both native and non-
native plant cover in Year 4 monitoring, however qualitative measurements describe this transect
as not passing due to cactus species (5%) not meeting success criteria due to its slow growth.
The transect PB9 will be monitored in 2021 (Year 6) using quantitative and qualitative methods.
PVPLC conducted infill planting in cactus scrub areas in 2019 in order to meet year 5 success
criteria in 2020 (Year 5).
4.2 COVERED SPECIES MONITORING
The NCCP/HCP requires surveys for covered species on the Preserve every three years. The
next report on the status of covered plant species, California gnatcatcher, and cactus wren will
be completed in 2021 for the 2019-2021 reporting period. The surveys for El Segundo blue
butterfly have been completed for this reporting period and will be conducted next in the 2022-
2024 comprehensive report period.
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2020 Annual Report – Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
The draft NCCP/HCP includes a total of six covered plant species. They are aphanisma
(Aphanisma blitoides), south coast saltscale (Atriplex pacifica), Catalina crossosoma (Crossosoma
californicum), island green dudleya (Dudleya virens ssp. insularis), Santa Catalina Island desert thorn
(Lycium brevipes var. hassei) and woolly seablite (Suaeda taxifolia). Surveys for covered plant species
will be triggered by precipitation that totals at least 9.75 inches (75% of the annual average), or
the last year of the comprehensive reporting period. The survey for covered plants was
conducted in 2019 due to the adequate precipitation levels. The Covered Plant species report
will be available in the 2019-2021 cumulative report.
4.3 REINTRODUCTION MONITORING RESULTS
Reintroduction monitoring will take place in 2021 for the two areas in the PVNP that Palos
Verdes Blue Butterfly (PVB) were released in 2020. The PVB coalition decided that the habitat at
Alta Vicente Reserve and Filiorum Reserve exhibited adequate habitat for releases in April of
2020, after site visits to various historical PVB locations.
4 .4 COVERED PROJECT/ACTIVITY TRACKING
PVPLC provided monitoring and consultation for 14 projects in 2020. Three of those 14 projects
were expected to have impacts to the habitat and only 1 of those projects was completed in the
reporting period for this report. City staff and PVPLC continued to work on updating a Preserve
Project Form for any projects occurring within the preserve. The form includes a comprehensive
summary of the NCCP/HCP covered species regulations and minimization measures for covered
projects and activities that serves as a guide for anyone completing projects in the preserve.
PVPLC and RPV staff coordinated site visits with all parties proposing projects in the preserve
and assisted in filling out the form where needed. Minimization of biological resource impacts
were discussed at every meeting and most projects were able to avoid any impacts. Continued
communication and coordination is essential for impact minimization for projects.
In the summer of 2020, the PVIC trail coastal bluff fence replacement was scheduled to start.
The project consisted of the removal of old metal and wooden fencing on the coastal side of the
trail and replacement with concrete precast ranch railing. The project was completed by the fall
and PVPLC staff met on site before, during and after the project to document any impacts to the
surrounding habitat. Those impacts are documented in Table 6 and in the RPV NCCP Habitat
Loss Tracking table containing information through 2020 in Appendix C.
In November of 2020, a water main belonging to Cal Water broke and drained onto Vanderlip
Trail. The trail was heavily eroded and closed for repair. Various site visits worked out the best
solution to the project with minimal impacts to the preserve. The impacts were documented pre
and post work and PVPLC coordinated closely with the contractor during the project duration.
Since the project was finished in 2021, any impacts will be reported in the 2019 – 2021
Comprehensive Annual Report.
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2020 Annual Report – Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
In December of 2020, Bellfree Contractors was contracted to work on water diversion features
along Burma Road and Water Tank Trail. Areas of concern were flagged by PVPLC staff and the
locations of water diversion swales were adapted to minimize any impacts to the preserve. Since
the project was finished in 2021, any impacts will be reported in the 2019 – 2021 Comprehensive
Annual Report.
Section 9.3.1 of the NCCP/HCP requires that habitat annual tracking take place accounting for
acreage, type, and location of habitat and species conserved or lost within the Plan Area.
Table 6. Habitat Impacts in the PVNP in 2020
Date Project Impact Location and
Vegetation Type
Size
July – September PVIC Trail
Coastal Bluffs
fence
replacement
Native plants were
removed or
trimmed. No host
plant was impacted
Vicente Bluffs along
Seascape Trail;
Coastal Sage Scrub
.001
December Burma Road
Erosion Project
Will be reported in
2021 Annual Report
-
December Vanderlip
Water Main
Break Repairs
Will be reported in
2021 Annual Report
-
5 .0 UTILITY AND CONTRACTOR ACCESS
Protocols are currently in place to ensure that utilities and contractors accessing the Preserve
follow guidelines to implement minimization measures and remain on permitted trails to avoid
damaging the habitat. PVPLC is collaborating with the City to create more effective protocols
and outreach techniques. For example, a Preserve Project Form helps communicate all aspects
of contractor, City, and PVPLC projects that are planned to take place in the preserve.
Additionally, a Preserve Access Protocol will be developed after adoption of the NCCP/HCP to
address where authorized vehicles may travel in the Preserve. The City also hosts an annual
Utility Meeting to receive updates on upcoming projects throughout the City and provide
reminders for protocols to follow while conducting work in the Preserve. The Preserve Project
Form was presented at the Utility Meeting and sent out to the participating agencies.
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2020 Annual Report – Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
6 .0 TARGETED EXOTIC REMOVAL PROGRAM FOR PLANTS
The Targeted Exotic Removal Program for Plants (TERPP) is an element of the Preserve Habitat
Management Plan for the NCCP/HCP that requires the annual removal of exotic plant species of
twenty individual populations or five acres in the Preserve. The TERPP provides a protocol for
ranking the degree of threat to native vegetation, the feasibility of eradication, and the
invasiveness of each exotic species found in the Preserve. Populations of exotic plant species are
then targeted for removal based on the results of the ranking outcome.
In 2020, PVPLC met the objectives for the TERPP program by treating approximately 14 acres of
Acacia cyclops (Coastal Wattle) throughout the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve. Mowing of the
highly invasive Brassica nigra (Black Mustard) also took place at three locations totaling 10.8 acres.
Acacia seeds can persist in the soil for an indefinite amount of years, and treatment needs to be
repeated for several years to successfully control these species on the Preserve. Acacia are very
serious invasive species, and their expansion in the Preserve must be controlled. Therefore, many
of the TERPP sites will be treated for many years under the same site name.
All of the populations previously targeted by TERPP continue to be monitored yearly for new
germination or regrowth. The species targeted by TERPP tend to have long lived seedbanks and
also tend to regrow without stump treatments. In 2020, due to the immense workload,
previously treated sites were not visited. Continued monitoring of all known populations will
continue in 2021 to minimize the return of targeted exotic species those locations and to achieve
eradication.
The full details of the TERPP accomplishments for 2020 can be round in Appendix D.
7.0 FUEL MODIFICATION
Fuel modification is the clearing or thinning of vegetation in areas that occur immediately
adjacent to residential structures and roads as mandated by County Department of Agriculture
Weights and Measures. As land owner, the City is responsible for brush clearance within the
Preserve (with the exception of Lunada Canyon owned by PVPLC), to provide an appropriate level
of fire protection, emphasizing the protection of public safety in the urban-wildlife interface
areas while minimizing environmental impacts of fire suppression and control. PVPLC has
collaborated with RPV to develop clear protocols to ensure that fuel modification takes place in
compliance with the NCCP/HCP.
In 2020, RPV staff continued to successfully collaborate with PVPLC to ensure that bird surveys
were completed prior to fuel modification activities and sensitive habitat areas were minimized.
Stewardship Associate Biologist, Austin Parker, worked with RPV to establish clear nesting bird
survey and reporting protocols. All sites that had observed nesting birds within the Fuel
Modification Zone or within an NCCP/HCP determined buffer area (300ft for nesting birds and
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2020 Annual Report – Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
500ft for nesting California gnatcatchers and cactus wrens), were postponed until after the bird
breeding season (February 15th – August 31st). During the bird surveys, any natural resource
concerns, including animal dens or rare plants, were flagged and the city was notified in each
report. Maps of each site with GPS coordinates of any concerns were provided in each report.
The 20-acre Lunada Canyon property located within the larger Agua Amarga Reserve is
owned by PVPLC, which maintains brush clearance requirements. All of these requirements
were met throughout 2020. No other fuel modification areas within the Preserve fall under
the responsibility of PVPLC.
As of the writing of this report, expanded fuel modification as mandated by the County
Department of Agriculture Weights and Measures is being determined for the city owned
properties. Any new fuel modification zones and/or impacts will be assessed and reported in
the Comprehensive Management and Monitoring Report for 2019 – 2021.
8 .0 COMMUNITY SCIENCE AND EDUCATION
The Preserve is an ideal setting for an outdoor laboratory because it provides scientists and
students with access to a variety of habitat types and wildlife. Student research topics are often
chosen to answer questions informing improved restoration practices and to better understand
the local ecology. Community Science volunteer programs assist the PVPLC with annual
monitoring of the presence and abundance of cactus wren and mesopreditors (coyote, grey fox
and red fox) as part of the NCCP/HCP Predator Control program. A report of 2020 research
projects and Community Science monitoring programs is located in Appendix E.
9 .0 TRAIL MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING
9 .1 PRESERVE TRAILS PLAN
The Preserve Trails Plan is a part of the City’s Public Use Master Plan (PUMP), which is a
NCCP/HCP-covered activity, and must follow certain avoidance measures and guidelines to
protect covered species. The City Council approved the latest updates to the PUMP in March
2013 after the designation of trails in Filiorum Reserve. A revision to the PUMP is required in
order to adopt trail alignment and user designations for Malaga Reserve, and incorporate other
changes including the Preserve Access Protocol and other minor trail amendments. The PUMP
will be revised in 2022 with public input and City Council approval is required.
9 .2 TRAIL MANAGEMENT
PVPLC continues to update trail maps, print and place map brochures at major trailheads, and
post them on PVPLC’s website. Recently, QR codes were installed at brochure boxes to provide
a quick link to the maps on a personal device. PVPLC regularly refreshes carsonite signs and
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2020 Annual Report – Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
decals in the Preserve to better delineate trails. A full-time PVPLC field operations technician
focuses on unauthorized trail closures, trail delineation and graffiti removal. With the help of the
Volunteer Trail Watch, a weekly report is submitted to PVPLC and City staff, where tasks are
prioritized and addressed on the preserve. The following represent the PVPLC’s
accomplishments in 2020 for trail management:
Area Closed Signs Installed 2 signs
Decals Replaced 88 decals
Graffiti Removed 14 locations
New/Repaired Carsonite Markers 8 markers
Trail Maintenance Projects(Brush/Weed Clearance) 434 projects
Spur Trail Closures (New/Old) 71 closures
Trail Crew Events (Maintenance Projects and Classes) 9 events
Rapid Response Volunteer Days 16 events
With support of grants from Habitat Conservation Fund, PVPLC worked with the City of Rancho
Palos Verdes to design a master plan for Preserve signage to include designs for primary trailhead
markers, interpretive panels and regulatory signage (Appendix F). The
signage plan was approved by City Council in July 2016. In 2017, the Los
Angeles County Regional Parks and Open Space District provided funds
to implement the new Preserve signs at Alta Vicente Reserve and HCF
funded signs at Portuguese Bend Reserve and Agua Amarga Reserve. In
2018, signage was installed at Vicente Bluffs, Vista del Norte and San
Ramon Reserves and in 2019, signage was installed at Filiorum, Forrestal
and Three Sisters Reserves. In 2020, partial signage was installed at Malaga
Reserve and Ocean Trails Reserve. The remaining Reserve signs are
planned to be installed in 2021-2022.
9 .3 UNAUTHORIZED TRAIL CLOSURES
Implementing the Preserve Trails Plan involves closing many social trails that were previously in
use and are no longer authorized in the PUMP. PVPLC’s priorities are to close newly created
unauthorized trails before they become established and damage habitat. PVPLC has also
developed techniques to reduce trail widening, particularly at trail intersections. Maintaining
closures of unauthorized trails is intensive work, which requires continuously reinforcing and
replacing trail closures when signage, branches, and plants are removed. Rapid Response Team
volunteers assist in maintaining closures by reclosing sections on a regular basis. Additionally, the
Volunteer Trail Watch assists with some of these tasks when they encounter them.
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2020 Annual Report – Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
In 2020, focal areas were Forrestal Reserve (Flying Mane Trail and Pirate Trail); Portuguese Bend
Reserve (Rim and Burma Rd Trail); Alta Vicente Reserve (Alta Vicente Trail and Prickly Pear
Trail); Abalone Cove Reserve (Abalone Cove Trail and Sea Dahlia Trail); Three Sisters Reserve
(Barkentine Trail and Three Sisters Trail) San Ramon Reserve (Wanderer Trail and Switchback
Trail) and Filiorum Reserve (Gary’s Gulch Trail and Kelvin Canyon Trail). (Appendix F).
9 .4 TRAIL REPAIR
The PVPLC volunteer Trail Crew assists in much of the trail work on the Preserve. A complete
summary of the PVPLC Volunteer Trail Crew Program’s accomplishments can be found in the
Volunteer Involvement section of the report (Appendix G). PVPLC staff or RPV staff including
Open Space Management, Recreation and Parks, and Public Works personnel were also involved
in trail enhancements. Trail projects that may be completed in the future, based on funding, are
listed in Appendix F.
9 .5 TRAIL MONITORING
PVPLC stewardship staff and volunteers from the Volunteer Trail Watch (VTW) Program
conducted trail monitoring to educate trail users and to report maintenance and safety issues to
City and PVPLC staff during the reporting period. The mission of the Palos Verdes Nature
Preserve Volunteer Trail Watch Program is to serve as eyes and ears of the City and the Palos
Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy with a view to 1) protect the natural resources of the Palos
Verdes Nature Preserve, including the flora and fauna as well as the geology, topography and
scenic landscape, and 2) enhance the safety of, and promote an enjoyable experience for all
Preserve visitors. Volunteers educate the public about Preserve rules and etiquette; and enter
observations of infractions into a web portal (i.e. dogs off leash, off-trail activity, user on non-
designated trail, etc.) to allow enforcement personnel and Preserve managers to track time and
location of these activities. In 2020, volunteers dedicated 3895 hours to the program through
training and field implementation activities, and reporting observations through the web portal
for record keeping. The VTW usually meets every quarter to provide additional training and
information to share with Preserve visitors, but did not meet in 2020 due to Covid-19
restrictions. Additional details of the VTW program are described in detail in the Volunteer
Annual Report section of the report (Appendix G).
In 2018, PVPLC was awarded a California Department of Fish and Wildlife Local Assistance (LAG)
Grant. The grant supports the implementation of the Trail Baseline Monitoring Program required
by the NCCP/HCP to monitor and manage trail widening impacts to habitat. The initial tasks of
the grant were started in 2019 and were completed by the end of 2020 with a report being
submitted in 2021. The report will be available in the Comprehensive Management and
Monitoring Report for 2019 – 2021.
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2020 Annual Report – Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
9.6 SUMMARY OF NIGHTTIME USE
The City of RPV implements a permitting process for night hikes in the Preserve. In 2020, no
night hikes were permitted due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
9.7 PUBLIC USE IMPACTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Continued spur trail creation is a major concern especially during bird breeding season and when
they occur in high quality habitat areas or near documented NCCP/HCP covered species. The
PVPLC Field Operations Specialist (FOPS) is a full time position that addresses many of the
reported issues in a timely manner alongside with the Rapid Response program and RPV’s Open
Space Management department. Continued support for these positions and programs is essential
in addressing issues before they become long term and irreversible problems. The FOPS position
is 80% reactive to problems while the Volunteer Trail Watch, being proactive, attempts to
educate users about preserve rules before issues occur. The RPV Park Rangers enforce the rules
with warnings and citations as needed. It is recommended that these groups continue to be fully
staffed and provided the resources needed to minimize public use impacts with their combined
efforts. Continued coordination and planning in the City-VTW bimonthly meetings is essential
so that target areas are addressed and impacts are minimized. It is also recommended that
regulatory signage continue to be maintained and repaired of any vandalism. New locations for
regulatory signage should also be identified where needed.
10.0 VOLUNTEER INVOLVEMENT
PVPLC is a non-profit organization that relies heavily on the support of community involvement
to perform many of the tasks necessary to manage the Preserve. In 2020, volunteers contributed
over 12,391 hours of service totaling $337,035.20 of in-kind service in support of conservation,
restoration, education and management of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve. The 2020
Volunteer Annual Report detailing the volunteer programs is located in Appendix G.
11.0 CONTRIBUTIONS TO PRESERVATION
In 2020, no new acquisitions or donations to the preserve towards the preservation of habitat
lands was received.
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2020 Annual Report – Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
12.0 EVALUATION OF MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
In the 2006 initial Management and Monitoring Report for the NCCP/HCP, potential threats and
disturbance factors were identified for each NCCP/HCP covered species occurrence. This
section gives recommendations for any improvements needed to be made to current
management or enforcement activities in order to ensure long-term sustainability of Covered
Species and their habitats.
Threats/disturbance factors that were identified in the 2006 initial Management and Monitoring
Report for the NCCP/HCP-covered plants species include trails/trampling, invasive plants,
erosion (coastal bluff and canyon), and herbivory. NCCP/HCP-covered wildlife species
threats/disturbance factors include trails, invasive plants, proximity to houses, parks, or other
developed areas, potential for predation from feral cats and red fox, potential nest parasitism
from brown headed cowbirds, and agricultural or disking activities. A summary of management
recommendations that have been implemented and improvements that can be made are listed
below:
Trails: The initial plan recommends that trails not appropriate for the preserve (e.g., redundant
trails, unauthorized trails, etc.) be closed following recommendations set in the Public Use Master
Plan (PUMP). Following the PUMP document, redundant and unauthorized trails have been
closed and continue to be monitored for use. Appropriate signage and trail restorations has been
implemented and assessment and monitoring for future unauthorized closure
projects. Continued education of the public on authorized trail use is recommended as well as
continued enforcement from rangers.
Invasive Plants: The initial plan recommends the removal of invasive plant species in accordance
with the TERPP and Habitat Restoration Plan since invasive plants pose a substantial threat to the
integrity of the vegetation communities of the PVNP. The TERPP program continues to be
implemented yearly, controlling and eradicating invasive plant populations, while invasive species
control occurs within all restoration project sites. PVPLC continues to pursue funding
opportunities to go above and beyond in invasive species removal. Staff continues to monitor
and document new occurrences of invasive species within the PVNP and surrounding areas.
Erosion: The initial plan documented coastal bluff erosion throughout the PVNP as it pertains to
habitat and conservation. While the majority of coastal bluff erosion was naturally occurring,
some of the erosion problems were a consequence of unauthorized unstable coastal bluff trails.
Recommendations were to establish replacement trails, removing invasive species on coastal
bluffs, installing check dam or weirs and revegetating eroded slopes. PVPLC has worked on a
variety of projects to address all recommendations and continues to monitor for erosion issues
throughout the PVNP. In addition, trail delineation has been implemented in targeted areas to
keep trail users away from erosive trails.
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2020 Annual Report – Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
Herbivory: The initial plan recommends continued monitoring of this potential threat. As part of
the Wildlife Tracking program and the Wildlife Camera Remote Monitoring project, rabbits and
other mammals are documented. No rabbit population increases have been observed in the
PVNP. PVPLC will continue to document rabbits and monitor covered plant species for impacts
due to herbivory. In addition caging around new plantings has been implemented in certain areas
to limit herbivory until plants reach maturity. This tactic can be implemented for covered plant
species if impacts are observed.
Proximity to Houses, Parks, and other Developed Areas: The 2006 report recommends that edge
effects due to proximity to houses, parks and other developed areas be monitored over the long
term to determine if they are problematic and if so, to document where the problems are
occurring. As part of PVPLC’s annual Easement Monitoring, these edge effects are documented,
and reported to the appropriate city department for follow up. PVPLC will continue to monitor
for edge effects.
Potential Predation from Feral Cats and Red Fox: A Predator Control Plan was developed in
accordance with the NCCP/HCP. Monitoring for red fox and feral cats continues and those
occurrences are documented and reported in Triennial Comprehensive Report along with
recommendations for predator control.
Potential Nest Parasitism by Brown-Headed Cowbird: Ongoing monitoring for cowbirds has continued
throughout the preserve as part of the Predator Control Plan. No cowbirds have been observed
within this reporting period.
Agricultural Land and Disking: Only one location of permitted agricultural land continues to operate
within the PVNP. PVPLC coordinates throughout the year with the operator to minimize
disturbance to covered species and to determine whether or not they are a source of non-native,
invasive plant species. They have not been determined to be a source and work cooperatively
with PVPLC. Land Disking has been phased out as a fuel modification tool within the preserve.
Current weeding techniques include grazing or mechanical removal and are monitored to
minimize disturbance and invasive species spreading into the preserve.
12.1 EVALUATION OF ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES
In 2019, the City of RPV created a Park Ranger program which replaced the Lomita Sheriffs
contract for patrolling the preserve. Through this action, the City doubled its enforcement
presence in the Preserve, while reducing costs. Park Rangers patrol the Preserve approximately
140 hours per week and provide public education, enforcement, and public safety services. In
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2020 Annual Report – Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
2020, there were 18,900 user contacts, 1,465 parking citations, 118 notices to appear, and 153
calls to the Preserve Information and Reporting Line. Rangers also coordinated continuously
with the LA County Sheriff’s Department and LA County Fire Department on enforcement and
public safety issues. Detailed Quarterly Preserve Enforcement Reports and Trail Counter Data
can be found in Appendix H. PVPLC recommends that Park Rangers continue to work with
PVPLC to target areas of concern where covered species have the greatest threats of impact.
PVPLC proposed specialized training for Park Rangers on covered species, nesting areas and
especially sensitive habitat areas. Continued communication is key in limiting any irreversible
impacts.
12.2 EVALUATION OF FUNDING NEEDS
PVPLC would benefit from continued funding to control highly invasive species on the Preserve
and continually battle back against unauthorized trails that damage habitat. PVPLC continues to
apply for funding from federal, state and private sources to increase the amount of acreage
restored for NCCP/HCP covered species.
12.3 EVALUATION OF ABILITY TO ACCOMPLISH RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT GOALS
PVPLC, City staff and Wildlife Agency representatives successfully achieved the adoption of the
final Draft NCCP/HCP in 2019. Wildlife agencies have issued federal permits while the state
permit is pending. State and Federal wildlife agency permits are needed in order to give take
authorization to the City to conduct projects in the NCCP/HCP area and Preserve.
PVPLC has been successful at completing restoration under the NCCP/HCP, monitoring
NCCP/HCP covered species, and meeting the goals for targeted invasive plant removal. With
the start of the Abalone Cove Restoration project at the end of 2019 and the continued
maintenance of the previous restoration projects, more contiguous high quality habitat will be
available throughout the Preserve. PVPLC recommends the continued assessment of a new
restoration project site in 2021 so that planning and funding can begin. PVPLC also recommends
the evaluation of areas where more Acacia can be removed and where dry mustard and non-
native grasses can mowed to enhance native habitats in order to support the natural recovery of
covered species.
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2020 Annual Report – Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
Concerns about habitat management in the future continue to include the ability to successfully
close unauthorized trails and to prevent new trails from being created. Closing unauthorized
trails is time consuming and expensive because of continuous vandalism, drought conditions and
accessibility of impacted areas. PVPLC is taking information collected by staff and the VTW to
coordinate with City of RPV staff, including City Park Rangers to help determine which areas
need more enforcement and maintenance attention.
13.0 SUMMARY OF CLERICAL CHANGES AND CHANGES TO
MONITORING/REPORTING
No clerical changes or changes to monitoring/reporting have been made to the NCCP/HCP.
Additional sections added to this annual report and subsequent annual reports include Public Use
Impacts and Recommendations; Contributions to Preservation; Report Certification Statement;
Reintroduction Monitoring Results; Evaluation of Management Activities, Evaluation of
Enforcement Activities; and a Summary of Clerical Changes and Changes to
Monitoring/Reporting.
14.0 PALOS VERDES PENINSULA LAND CONSERVANCY BOARD
AND STAFF
2020 Board Officers
Carolynn Petru, President
Rob Kautz, Vice President
Diana Bailey, Secretary
Rick Wallace, Treasurer
2020 Board of Directors
Bill Ailor
Lew Enstedt
Bob Ford
Allen Franz
Bill Glantz
Randy Harwood
Amy Morris
Dave Pilon
David Snow
2020 Annual Report – Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
2020 Staff (as of December 2020)
Executive Director
Adrienne Mohan
Office Administration
Jill Wittman, Administrative Assistant
Land Stewardship
Cris Sarabia, Conservation Director
Johnny Perez, Stewardship Manager
Austin Parker, Stewardship Associate
Eric Wolterding, Field Operations Specialist
Hugo Morales, Stewardship Technician Lead
Humberto Calderon, Stewardship
Technician
Michael Heine, Stewardship Technician
David Olsen, Stewardship Technician
Neli Gonzalez, Nursery Technician Lead
Volunteer Program
Brittany Goldsmith, Volunteer Program
Manager
Megan Wolff, Volunteer Coordinator
Education Program
Connie Smith, Education Director
Holly Gray, Education Program Manager
Alexandra Kovary-Turnsek, Nature Center
Manager
Neil Uelman, Naturalist
Development
Susan Wilcox, Director of Development
Louise Olfarnes, Manager of Marketing
Communications
Laura Lohnes, Development Associate
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2020 Annual Report – Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
15.0 REPORT CERTIFICATION STATEMENT
I certify under penalty of law that, to the best of my knowledge, after appropriate inquiries of all
relevant persons involved in the preparation of this report, the information submitted is true,
accurate, and complete.
Adrienne Mohan City Official
Executive Director City of Rancho Palos Verdes
APPENDIX A
ABALONE COVE
RESTORATION PLAN
Abalone Cove Ecological Reserve
in the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
Habitat Restoration Plan for the
FEBRUARY 2016
Palos Verdes Peninsula
Land Conservancy
916 Silver Spur Road, Suite 207
Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274
Dudek
605 Third Street
Encinitas, CA 92024
P R E PA R E D B Y:
and
HABITAT RESTORATION PLAN
for the
Abalone Cove Reserve
in the
Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
Prepared for:
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
916 Silver Spur Road, Suite 207
Rolling Hills Estates, California 90274
Contact: Danielle LeFer
Prepared by:
605 Third Street
Encinitas, California 92024
Contact: Andy Thomson
760.479.4282
FEBRUARY 2016
Printed on 30% post-consumer recycled material.
Habitat Restoration Plan for the Abalone
Cove Reserve in the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
9085
i February 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page No.
1 INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................1
2 EXISTING CONDITIONS ...............................................................................................7
2.1 Site Description ....................................................................................................... 7
2.2 Vegetation Communities ........................................................................................ 7
2.2.1 Coastal Sage Scrub ..................................................................................... 7
2.2.2 Mixed Coastal Scrub ................................................................................... 8
2.2.3 Non-native Grassland.................................................................................. 8
2.3 Geology and Soils ................................................................................................... 8
2.4 Special-Status Species ............................................................................................ 9
2.5 Non-Native Invasive Species ................................................................................ 10
2.6 Additional Considerations .................................................................................... 11
3 RESTORATION PROGRAM ........................................................................................15
3.1 Restoration Site Goals and Objectives .................................................................. 15
3.2 Habitats to be Established or Enhanced ................................................................ 16
3.2.1 Coastal Sage Scrub ................................................................................... 19
3.2.2 Cactus Scrub ............................................................................................. 20
3.2.3 Mulefat Scrub............................................................................................ 21
3.3 Habitat to be Enhanced ......................................................................................... 22
3.4 Revegetation Materials ......................................................................................... 23
3.5 Target Functions and Values ................................................................................ 24
3.6 Time Lapse............................................................................................................ 24
4 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN .........................................................................................25
4.1 Rationale for Expecting Success ........................................................................... 25
4.2 Preliminary Schedule ............................................................................................ 25
4.2.1 Site Preparation ......................................................................................... 26
4.2.2 Supplemental Watering System ................................................................ 27
4.2.3 Erosion Control ......................................................................................... 28
4.2.4 Plant Installation ....................................................................................... 28
4.2.5 Seed Application ....................................................................................... 28
5 MAINTENANCE PLAN .................................................................................................31
5.1 Maintenance Activities ......................................................................................... 31
5.2 General Habitat Maintenance Guidelines ............................................................. 32
5.2.1 Weed Control ............................................................................................ 32
Habitat Restoration Plan for the Abalone
Cove Reserve in the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED)
Section Page No.
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5.2.2 Supplemental Watering System ................................................................ 33
5.2.3 Clearing and Trash Removal .................................................................... 33
5.3 Schedule of Maintenance Inspections ................................................................... 34
6 MONITORING PLAN ....................................................................................................35
6.1 Performance Standards ......................................................................................... 35
6.2 Monitoring Methods and Schedule ....................................................................... 36
6.3 Monitoring Reports ............................................................................................... 37
6.4 Project Conclusion ................................................................................................ 37
7 REFERENCES .................................................................................................................39
FIGURES
1 Regional Map .......................................................................................................................3
2 Vicinity Map ........................................................................................................................5
3 Existing Conditions ............................................................................................................13
4 Site Photographs ................................................................................................................17
5 Abalone Cove Restoration Area ........................................................................................29
TABLES
1 Non-Native Plant Species and Associated Cal-IPC Ratings ..............................................10
2 Proposed Coastal Sage Scrub Planting Palette (Approximately 3.5 Acres) ......................19
3 Proposed Cactus Scrub Planting Palette (1.1 Acres) .........................................................21
4 Proposed Mulefat Scrub Planting Palette (Approximately 0.2 Acre) ................................22
5 Preliminary Restoration Project Schedule .........................................................................25
6 Performance Standards ......................................................................................................36
APPENDIX
A Soil Test Results
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1 INTRODUCTION
This Habitat Restoration Plan (HRP) was prepared for the Abalone Cove Reserve within the
Palos Verdes Nature Preserve (PVNP) located in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, California
(Figures 1 and 2). The Abalone Cove Reserve is one of ten ecological reserves within the
approximately 1,400-acre PVNP. The PVNP is owned by the City of Rancho Palos Verdes and
managed by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy (PVPLC).
This HRP discusses implementing restoration of approximately 3.5 acres of coastal sage scrub,
1.1 acre of cactus scrub, 0.2 acre of mulefat scrub, and the enhancement of approximately 8.3
acres of mixed coastal scrub in a disturbed area of the Abalone Cove Reserve. Portions
(approximately 2.2 acres) of the habitat enhancement area were identified for planting additional
cactus. The HRP addresses restoration design, planting recommendations, installation
procedures, maintenance requirements, monitoring methodology, and performance standards.
Habitat Restoration Plan for the Abalone
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FIGURE 1
Regional Map
9085 Habitat Restoration Plan for the Abalone Cove Ecological Reserve in the Portuguese Bend Nature Preserve
Document Path: Z:\Projects\j908501\MAPDOC\MAPS\RESTOR Abalone Cove\AC Figure1-Regional.mxd0105
Miles
Project Site
Habitat Restoration Plan for the Abalone
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FIGURE 2
Vicinity Map
9085 Habitat Restoration Plan for the Abalone Cove Ecological Reserve in the Portuguese Bend Nature Preserve
SOURCE: USGS 7.5-Minute Redondo Beach, San Pedro Series Quadrangles.
0 2,0001,000
Feet
Project Site
Abalone Cove Restoration Site
Preserve Boundary (2014)
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Habitat Restoration Plan for the Abalone
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2 EXISTING CONDITIONS
2.1 Site Description
The Abalone Cove Reserve is located on the southern portion of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The
entire Abalone Cove Reserve is approximately 64 acres and is located south of Palos Verdes
Drive South along the shoreline of the peninsula. There are two promontories, Portuguese and
Inspiration Points, which bound the cove within the Abalone Cove Reserve. The proposed
restoration area is located upslope from the Portuguese Bend Nursery School (Beach School) in
the central part of the reserve.
2.2 Vegetation Communities
Plant communities and land covers within the Abalone Cove Reserve are typical of plant
communities found in this region, exhibiting various levels of disturbance, but containing
elements of the native plant communities. Vegetation mapping of the reserve was prepared by the
PVPLC and the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) (PVPLC and CNPS 2010). According to the
vegetation mapping conducted by PVPLC and CNPS, the proposed restoration area consists of
California coastal sage scrub, mixed coastal scrub, and non-native grassland, comprised of several
subtypes (e.g., alliances and associations). The existing vegetation communities present in the
restoration/enhancement area are described below.
2.2.1 Coastal Sage Scrub
The coastal sage scrub on site was mapped by CNPS as Encelia californica association,
Encelia californica alliance, Encelia californica-Artemisia californica association, and Rhus
integrifolia (strongly dominant) association (PVPLC and CNPS 2010). Coastal sage scrub is
composed of low, subshrubs approximately 1 meter (3 feet) high, many of which are
facultatively drought-deciduous (Holland, 1986). Dominant shrub type varies across this
vegetation type, depending on localized factors and levels of disturbance, but often includes
California Sagebrush (Artemisia californica ) and California Brittlebush (Encelia
californica ). In this community the shrub layer primarily forms a continuous canopy, but
there are areas with a more open canopy, widely spaced shrubs, and fairly well-developed
understory. Within the site non-native species, including black mustard (Brassica nigra ),
Russian thistle (Salsola tragus ), wild oat (Avena barbata, A. fatua ) and other non-native
grasses have invaded the coastal sage scrub community.
Habitat Restoration Plan for the Abalone
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2.2.2 Mixed Coastal Scrub
The mixed coastal scrub on site was mapped by CNPS as disturbed Rhus integrifolia
association, and urban trees (PVPLC and CNPS 2010). Though these areas are dominated by
lemonadeberry (Rhus integrifolia ) they are disturbed and contain many non-native shrubs
and trees, including coastal wattle (Acacia cyclops) spiny holdback (Caesalpinia spinosa ),
and Phoenix palm (Phoenix canariensis ).
2.2.3 Non-native Grassland
Non-native grassland within the project site was mapped by CNPS as cleared land, and
California annual and perennial grassland macrogroup (PVPLC and CNPS 2010). Non-native
grassland is typically characterized by dense to sparse cover of weedy, introduced annuals
including wild oat, brome grasses (Bromus diandrus, B. madritensis, B. hordeaceus) and black
mustard. Annual grassland often occurs in areas where there has been some historic disturbance
to the natural community. At the proposed restoration site, non-native grassland is heavily
dominated by wild oat, brome grasses, black mustard, fennel, tocalote (Centaurea melitensis),
and false brome (Brachypodium distachyon).
2.3 Geology and Soils
The Palos Verdes Peninsula is primarily an old marine terrace with relatively steep eroded
canyons which drain southwesterly into the Pacific Ocean. The underlying geologic material
consists of marine sedimentary and basaltic rocks. The area is seismically active, with active
Palos Verdes and San Pedro fault zones that have caused the peninsula to uplift relative to the
adjacent Los Angeles Basin and the offshore bedrock.
According to the Report and General Soil Map for Los Angeles County (USDA 1969), the soils
within the Abalone Cove Reserve are composed of the Altamont-Diablo association (30–50%
slopes). Soils of the Altamont-Diablo association occur on gently sloping to rolling foothills
throughout the Los Angeles basin as far north as Point Dume. The Altamont-Diablo association
is comprised of approximately 60% Altamont soils and 30% Diablo soils. Diablo soils are
described to be 22–52 inches deep, are well drained, and have slow subsoil permeability.
Altamont soils are described to be 24–36 inches deep, are well drained, and have slow subsoil
permeability. They have dark brown, neutral, clay surface layers about 12 inches thick underlain
by a brown, calcareous clay subsoil.
The proposed restoration area is primarily a terrace above the coastal bluffs. The terrace appears
to have been used for agriculture in the 1950’s and 1960’s, but has lain fallow for several
decades. Three soil samples were collected from the proposed restoration area. The soil samples
Habitat Restoration Plan for the Abalone
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were collected from three areas proposed for restoration (Figure 3). Each of the soil samples was
composed of 3-4 subsamples consisting of the 12-16-inch deep soil profile from each location to
create a composite soil sample for analysis. The composite soil samples are representative of the
general soil conditions on site within the rooting zone of the target plant species. The soil
samples were submitted to Wallace Laboratories for analysis of standard soil constituents,
agricultural suitability, texture, and cation exchange capacity. The results of the analysis show
that, the soils are clay, with a slow/fair infiltration rate and fair organic matter (Appendix A).
The soils on site are slightly alkaline (pH = 7.69-7.76) and the salinity is low (ECe = 0.44-0.72).
Major nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) are low.
Plant establishment is not expected to be significantly inhibited due to the soil chemistry described
above. The soils appear to be suitable for the establishment of the target habitats without soil
remediation or extensive soil amendments. However, container plants may struggle to become
established and grow healthfully without supplemental watering, and amendments may be
necessary if plants are struggling to become established. While the soils on site pose no significant
problems to establishment of native habitat, as native soils they have low levels of major nutrients.
Native species are adapted to lower nutrient soils, but will benefit from some supplemental nutrient
augmentation during planting to initiate establishment (e.g., slow-release fertilizer packet).
2.4 Special-Status Species
Two special-status wildlife species have been documented within or nearby the restoration and
enhancement areas. Coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica) (CAGN)
and the cactus wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) (CAWR) have been observed in the
coastal sage scrub enhancement area, as well as on the southern border of the coastal sage scrub
restoration area (PVPLC 2012) (Figure 3).
No special-status plant species have been documented within the specific area identified for
restoration in the HRP. However, four special-status plant species have been documented nearby,
including aphanisma (Aphanisma blitoides), south coast saltscale (Atriplex pacifica), woolly sea-
blite (Suaeda taxifolia), and sea dahlia (Coreopsis maritima) (Dudek and PVPLC 2007; CNPS
2015). In addition to special-status plant species, the host plant seacliff buckwheat (Eriogonum
parvifolium) for the federally listed, endangered, El Segundo blue butterfly (Euphilotes battoides
allyni) is known to occur in the vicinity of the proposed restoration areas. Observation of the El
Segundo blue butterfly has not been reported at the Abalone Cove Reserve.
Habitat Restoration Plan for the Abalone
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2.5 Non-Native Invasive Species
Non-native species are abundant within the area identified for restoration, making up the
majority of the existing vegetative cover. Non-native species are also common in the area
proposed for enhancement. Controlling non-native species during the plant establishment phase
will present a significant challenge, and should be prioritized as the most critical aspect of the
maintenance program. The most predominant non-native species observed on-site include black
mustard, coastal wattle, spiny holdback, Peruvian pepper, Brazilian pepper, and non-native
grasses. These species, as well as additional non-native species observed or expected on site, are
provided in Table 1 with their associated rating in the California Invasive Plant Council’s (Cal-
IPC) Inventory of Invasive Plant Species (2015).
Table 1
Non-Native Plant Species and Associated Cal-IPC Ratings
High
Bromus madritensis ssp. madritensis—compact brome
Carpobrotus edulis—hottentot fig
Foeniculum vulgare—fennel
Moderate
Atriplex semibaccata—Australian saltbush
Avena barbata—slender oat
Brassica nigra – black mustard
Moderate
Bromus diandrus—ripgut brome
Centaurea melitensis—Maltese star-thistle
Glebionis coronaria—crowndaisy
Hordeum murinum—mouse barley
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum—common iceplant
Myoporum laetum—myoporum
Pennisetum setaceum—crimson fountaingrass
Euphorbia terracina—Geraldton carnation weed
Limited
Bromus hordeaceus—soft brome
Erodium cicutarium—redstem stork's bill
Marrubium vulgare—horehound
Olea europaea—olive
Phoenix canariensis—phoenix palm
Ricinus communis—castorbean
Salsola tragus—prickly Russian thistle
Schinus molle – Peruvian peppertree
Schinus terebinthifolius—Brazilian peppertree
Habitat Restoration Plan for the Abalone
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Table 1
Non-Native Plant Species and Associated Cal-IPC Ratings
None
*Acacia cyclops—coastal wattle
Caesalpinia spinosa—spiny holdback
Erigeron bonariensis - asthmaweed
Lactuca serriola – prickly-lettuce
Malva parviflora—cheeseweed mallow
*Melilotus indicus—annual yellow sweetclover
**Pinus sp.—pine
Solanum elaeagnifolium – silverleaf nightshade
Sonchus oleraceus—common sowthistle
*Tropaeolum majus—nasturtium
Yucca gloriosa – Spanish dagger
* Note that while there are several species on the list that do not have a Cal-IPC rating for the state of California, that some of these
species can be locally invasive. Species with an asterisk are considered to be moderately invasive within the region and should be
aggressively controlled. The Targeted Exotic Removal Program for Plants (TERPP) provides additional target invasive species (PVPLC
2013) that may occur on-site
** Note that some trees taller than 5 feet will be left in place and not removed. Seedlings and young saplings less than 5 feet tall
will be removed.
2.6 Additional Considerations
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes has plans for a stabilization project on the walls of the steep,
highly eroded canyon on the eastern border of the enhancement area. To allow a buffer for
stabilization activities, the enhancement area will leave a buffer of at least 30 feet along the
canyon rim, where no enhancement activities will be undertaken.
Additionally, two or more electric utility poles intersect the enhancement area in transit to the
Beach School. Restoration and enhancement activities will allow a 15 foot buffer around utility
poles, allowing only the management and control of particularly invasive species within these
zones (i.e., no planting or seeding).
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FIGURE 3
Existing Conditions
Habitat Restoration Plan for the Abalone Cove Ecological Reserve in the Portuguese Bend Nature Preserve
SOURCES: Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy 2012; Bing Maps, 2015
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Abalone Cove Restoration Site
Preserve Boundary
Trails
Sensitive Plant Species (Source: PVPLC 2012)
Aphanisma
Seacliff Buckwheat
Wooly Seablight
South coast saltscale
Sea Dahlia
Wooly Seablight
Sensitive Wildlife Species (Source: PVPLC 2012)
California Gnatcatcher
Coastal Cactus Wren
Vegetation Communities/Land Covers (Source: PVPLC/CNPS 2010)
California Annual and Perennial Grassland Macrogroup
Cleared Land
Urban/Disturbed or Built-up
Urban Trees
Encelia californica (California Encelia) Alliance
Encelia californica Association
Encelia californica-Artemisia californica Association
Eriogonum cinereum Association
Rhus integrifolia (disturbed) Association
Rhus integrifolia (strongly dominant) Association
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3 RESTORATION PROGRAM
This HRP outlines the restoration and enhancement implementation strategy for upland habitat at
the Abalone Cove Reserve and proposes to provide for the restoration of approximately 4.8 acres
of habitat restoration, and the enhancement of approximately 8.3 acres of mixed coastal scrub.
This HRP uses a restoration approach that emphasizes the recovery of the degraded ecosystem
through planting and seeding to re-establish or enhance biological functions and services within
portions of the Abalone Cove Reserve.
3.1 Restoration Site Goals and Objectives
The disturbed and fragmented habitat existing in the proposed restoration and enhancement
locations limit the magnitude of potential wildlife use and provide opportunities for the further
spread and establishment of invasive weed species in the area. The planting of native coastal
sage scrub, cactus scrub, mulefat scrub, and enhancement of mixed coastal scrub will provide
contiguous native habitat that includes a mosaic of shrub cover which will resist the invasion of
invasive weed species and provide increased nesting, cover, and foraging opportunities for
wildlife. In particular, the overarching goal of the restoration program is to provide habitat for
coastal California gnatcatcher and the cactus wren.
The habitat restoration program will focus on the creation of habitat for covered species with the
objective of increasing the overall habitat carrying capacity for the target species populations.
Coastal scrub restoration is intended to provide improved foraging habitat for resident and
migrating wildlife species, and potential nesting and foraging habitat for the coastal California
gnatcatcher, and other sensitive wildlife species. Achievement of the performance standards
described herein would create suitable habitat for these species. However, occupation of the site
by these species is not a requirement for successful project completion.
In addition to these broad goals, the following site-specific objectives for the Abalone Cove
Reserve restoration site have been incorporated into this HRP in the interest of minimizing
adverse impacts to biological resources:
Avoid additional or unplanned disturbance to existing native habitats during
implementation of the project construction and long-term maintenance activities;
Prevent any impacts to sensitive plant or wildlife species during implementation of the
project construction and long-term maintenance activities;
Control non-native invasive weed species considered to be highly or moderately invasive
on the Cal-IPC Invasive Plant Inventory (2015), and others identified by PVPLC as
locally invasive (PVPLC 2013);
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Utilize erosion control measures in the form of “Best Management Practices” (BMPs) on
the site as conditions necessitate;
Reintroduce special-status plant species and/or host plants of special-status wildlife
species as components of the planting plans where feasible and as appropriate.
3.2 Habitats to be Established or Enhanced
The habitat restoration program consists of site preparation (primarily non-native plant species
removal), native planting, seeding, supplemental watering, maintenance, and monitoring.
Proposed planting for the target habitat types will focus primarily on the installation of container
plants to achieve the project goals. A native seed mix will also be applied as a supplemental
measure to increase cover and diversity.
The habitat restoration areas are currently dominated by non-native species. The existing habitat in
the restoration areas contains many non-native annual herbs, including black mustard, Russian
thistle, and bromes (Figure 4, Photos 1 and 2). Non-native perennials, such as fennel, spiny
holdback, Peruvian pepper, and Brazilian pepper also exist within the restoration areas.
Coastal sage scrub habitat will make up the majority of the restored habitat, followed by cactus
scrub. Mulefat scrub is planned for approximately 0.2 acre within the restoration area. Each
specific habitat type to be restored is described below. It is expected that all planting shall be
installed to mimic the natural distribution and vegetation mosaic of adjacent healthy habitats.
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FIGURE 4
Habitat Restoration Plan for the Abalone Cove Ecological Reserve in the Portuguese Bend Nature Preserve
Z:\Projects\j908501\MAPDOC\MAPS\RESTORPhoto 1: Representative view of western restoration area (facing west)Photo 2: Non-native plants in the western restoration area (black mustard, brome
grasses, Russian thistle)
Photo 3: Trail lined by invasive spiny holdback (Ceasalpinia spinosa)
Photo 4: Invasive perennial weeds in the habitat enhancement zone (Coastal wattle,
Brazilian pepper)
Photo 5: Representative view of the eastern restoration area (facing west)Photo 6: Invasive annual weeds in the restoration site (black mustard, wild oat)
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3.2.1 Coastal Sage Scrub
The restoration strategy for coastal sage scrub habitat on the Abalone Cove Reserve
restoration site includes reintroducing regionally appropriate native coastal sage scrub
species that are currently present in adjacent native habitats. The plant palette includes a
container plant and seed mix composition (Table 2) that has been designed to replicate the
native composition of a healthy coastal sage scrub plant community similar to existing
coastal sage scrub habitat present on the Abalone Cove Reserve site, and with the specific
intent to provide habitat suitable for occupation by coastal California gnatcatcher. The
planting palette has thus been designed to contain a composition of shrub species that are
dominant in coastal sage scrub habitat occupied by coastal California gnatcatcher (Atwood et
al. 1994). On the Palos Verdes Peninsula, the primary coastal sage scrub dominants include
California sagebrush, California brittlebush, and coastal buckwheat, with coast goldenbush,
lemonadeberry, California buckwheat, sages, bladderpod, coast prickly-pear, and wishbone
bush as common constituents.
The plant palette provides a quantity of container plants (perennial species) that is estimated
to establish approximately 75% cover for coastal sage scrub, 60% cover for cactus scrub, and
100% for mulefat scrub once the plants reach maturity. The seed mix is provided to address
erosion control and enhance species diversity, and will be applied as needed, and as
determined necessary by the PVPLC.
Table 2
Proposed Coastal Sage Scrub Planting Palette (Approximately 3.5 Acres)
Botanical Name Common Name
Container
Size
Spacing
(on center)
Group
Size
Quantity
(per acre)
Total #
Plants
Container Plants
Artemisia californica California sagebrush D40 5 5 348 1,220
Astragalus trichopodus
var. lonchus
Ocean locoweed D40 3 7 184 645
Baccharis pilularis Coyote brush D40 5 3 87 305
Brickellia californica California
bricklebush
D40 5 3 87 305
Corethrogyne filaginifolia Common sandaster D40 3 3 24 85
Cylindropuntia prolifera Coastal cholla 1-gallon 4 5 27 95
Dudleya virens Bright green dudleya D40 3 3 24 85
Elymus condensatus Giant wildrye D40 6 3 24 85
Encelia californica California brittlebush D40 5 5 261 915
Eriogonum cinereum Coastal buckwheat D40 5 5 87 305
Eriogonum fasciculatum California buckwheat D40 5 5 157 549
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Table 2
Proposed Coastal Sage Scrub Planting Palette (Approximately 3.5 Acres)
Botanical Name Common Name
Container
Size
Spacing
(on center)
Group
Size
Quantity
(per acre)
Total #
Plants
Eriogonum parvifolium Seacliff buckwheat D40 5 5 87 305
Eriophyllum
confertiflorum
Golden yarrow D40 3 3 145 508
Isocoma menziesii Coast goldenbush D40 5 3 87 305
Mirabilis laevis var.
crassifolia
Wishbone bush D40 4 5 54 191
Opuntia littoralis/oricola Chaparral prickly-
pear
1-gallon 6 3 24 85
Peritoma arborea Bladderpod D40 5 5 35 122
Rhus integrifolia Lemonadeberry D40 15 1 4 14
Salvia leucophylla Purple sage D40 5 5 87 305
Salvia mellifera Black sage D40 5 3 87 305
Total Container Plants 1,920 6,734
Seed Mix
Botanical Name Common Name
Pure Live
Seed Lbs. Per Acre Total Lbs.
Eschscholzia californica
var. maritima
California poppy 85 2 7
Lupinus bicolor Miniature lupine 90 2 7
Lupinus succulentus Arroyo lupine 90 4 14
Stipa lepida Foothill needlegrass 65 1 3.5
Stipa pulchra Purple needlegrass 75 6 21
Total Lbs. 15 52.5
3.2.2 Cactus Scrub
The restoration strategy for cactus scrub is comparable to that described for coastal sage scrub,
except that the composition of species was modified to be dominated by prickly-pear cactus (Opuntia
littoralis, O. oricola). The plant palette includes a container plant and seed mix composition (Table
3) that has been designed to replicate the native composition of a healthy cactus scrub plant
community similar to existing cactus scrub habitat present on the Abalone Cove Reserve site, and
with the specific intent to provide habitat suitable for occupation by cactus wren. In addition to areas
identified for cactus scrub restoration, approximately 2.2 acres of the habitat enhancement area were
designated for planting additional cactus. These areas were previously documented to support cactus
wren and have since been overgrown with non-native trees and shrubs and lemonadeberry
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Table 3
Proposed Cactus Scrub Planting Palette (1.1 Acres)
Botanical Name Common Name
Container
Size
Spacing
(on
center)
Group
Size
Quantity
(per acre)
Total #
Plants
Container Plants
Artemisia californica California sagebrush D40 5 5 227 249
Astragalus trichopodus var.
lonchus
Ocean locoweed D40 3 7 111 123
Brickellia californica California bricklebush D40 5 3 52 57
Corethrogyne filaginifolia Common sandaster D40 3 3 24 27
Cylindropuntia prolifera Coastal cholla 1-gallon 4 10 272 299
Encelia californica California brittlebush D40 5 5 87 96
Eriogonum fasciculatum California buckwheat D40 5 3 174 192
Isocoma menziesii Coast goldenbush D40 5 3 35 38
Mirabilis laevis var.
crassifolia
Wishbone bush D40 4 5 54 60
Opuntia littoralis/ oricola Coast prickly-pear 1-gallon 6 30 363 399
Peritoma (=Isomeris)
arborea
Bladderpod D40 6 5 36 40
Rhus integrifolia Lemonadeberry D40 15 1 2 2
Salvia mellifera Black sage D40 5 3 87 96
Total Container Plants (per acre) 1,524 1,678
Seed Mix
Botanical Name Common Name
Pure Live
Seed Lbs. Per Acre
Total
Lbs.
Eschscholzia californica var.
maritima
California poppy 74 2 2.2
Lupinus bicolor pygmy lupine 78 2 2.2
Lupinus succulentus arroyo lupine 81 4 4.4
Phacelia ramosissima branching phacelia 80 0.25 0.275
Stipa lepida foothill needlegrass 54 1 1.1
Stipa pulchra purple needlegrass 42 6 6.6
Total Lbs. Per Acre 15.25 16.8
3.2.3 Mulefat Scrub
The restoration strategy for mulefat scrub habitat on the Abalone Cove Reserve restoration
site includes reintroducing regionally appropriate native mulefat scrub species. A small
drainage within the restoration area has been selected as being compatible with mulefat scrub
based on the vegetation that currently inhabits the channel and its apparent hydrology. The
mulefat scrub restoration area within the Abalone Cove Reserve will contain the native
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species mulefat (Baccharis salicifolia ), giant wildrye (Elymus condensatus ), and blue
elderberry (Sambucus nigra ) as dominant species (Table 4).
Table 4
Proposed Mulefat Scrub Planting Palette (Approximately 0.2 Acre)
Botanical Name Common Name
Container
Size
Spacing
(on
center)
Group
Size
Quantity
(per acre)
Total #
Plants
Container Plants
Artemisia dracunculus Tarragon D40 4 3 136 27
Baccharis pilularis Coyote bush D40 5 3 87 17
Baccharis salicifolia Mulefat 1-gallon 6 3 605 121
Elymus condensatus Giant wildrye D40 5 3 174 35
Isocoma menziesii Coast goldenbush D40 5 3 87 17
Muhlenbergia rigens Deergrass D40 3 3 242 48
Sambucus nigra Blue elderberry 1-gallon 8 1 102 20
Verbena lasiostachys Western vervain D40 3 3 242 48
Total Container Plants ( per acre) 1,675 333
Seed Mix
Botanical Name Common Name Pure Live Seed Lbs. Per Acre Total Lbs.
Ambrosia psilostachya Western ragweed 8 2 0.4
Artemisia douglasiana Mugwort 5 1 0.2
Eschscholzia californica var.
maritima
California poppy 78 2 0.4
Isocoma menziesii Coast goldenbush 80 1 0.2
Lupinus succulentus Arroyo lupine 54 2 0.4
Stipa pulchra Purple needlegrass 42 4 0.8
Total Lbs. Per Acre 12.0 2.4
3.3 Habitat to be Enhanced
The habitat enhancement program consists of site preparation (primarily non-native plant
species removal), maintenance, monitoring, and potential native planting or seeding. The
habitat enhancement area is currently dominated by a mix of native and non-native species.
Although the enhancement area currently supports native species, including lemonadeberry
(Rhus integrifolia ) and coast brittlebush (Encelia californica ), a number of non-native
perennials, such as coastal wattle, phoenix palm, spiny holdback, Peruvian pepper, and
Brazilian pepper are also common.
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Habitat enhancement generally includes control of non-native weed species and reliance on natural
succession to fill the gaps left by removal. In the case of the enhancement area in Abalone Cove
Reserve it is likely that most locations in the enhancement zone will improve naturally after initial
removal of invasive species. However, in locations that a significant area is cleared, in-planting of
native species may be necessary. The area north of the access road, nearest to Palos Verdes Drive
South in particular may necessitate additional planting after removal activities occur.
The planting palette in Table 2 for coastal sage scrub habitat and Table 3 for cactus scrub
provide options for installing supplemental plants in areas that require selective planting to fill in
gaps created from invasive species removal. Note that Tables 2 and 3 do not account for the
quantity of container plants that will be needed for the enhancement areas, as the acreage of
invasive species removal is not known. However, the number of container plants is expected to
be relatively low compared to the restoration areas. Selective in-planting shall mimic the natural
distribution and vegetation mosaic of adjacent native habitats.
3.4 Revegetation Materials
Plant materials for the restoration planting areas will include container stock and seed of coastal
scrub species, as indicated in the plant palettes provided in Tables 2–4. As much as feasible, the
container plant materials will be grown from native seed collected on the Palos Verdes
Peninsula. The plant nursery will grow the plants primarily in D40 Deepots, with some smaller
and larger sizes depending on the species (as indicated in Tables 2–4). Additionally, for the seed
mixes, PVPLC will coordinate collection of available seed from the peninsula for application at
the restoration site. If some species cannot be grown as container stock at the nursery, or local
seed is not available for collection, the planting palettes may be adjusted, or another source may
be used for acquiring locally sourced plant materials.
DriWater may also be used to aid plant establishment. DriWater is a time released natural
cellulose gum gel that retains moisture which is slowly released into the soil when the gel is
broken down by naturally occurring enzymes. The moisture released from the DriWater gel
becomes available for uptake by developing plant roots. DriWater can be applied in cardboard
cartons or in plastic tubes with gel packs. DriWater can be costly to utilize on large scale
restoration projects, and therefore would only be used in special cases where supplemental
watering was insufficient to promote plant establishment. DriWater may be most useful within
the enhancement area if supplemental watering is infeasible.
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3.5 Target Functions and Values
The primary functional goal of the restored coastal sage scrub, cactus scrub, and mulefat scrub
and the enhanced mixed coastal scrub is to restore vegetation that contains a diversity of native
coastal scrub plant species and that provides habitat value for sensitive wildlife species,
particularly for coastal California gnatcatcher and cactus wren. Additionally, a secondary
consideration is to create contiguous and intact habitat which resists the re-establishment of
invasive plant species.
3.6 Time Lapse
The length of time necessary to develop high quality habitat depends on a variety of factors
including weather, soil conditions, herbivory protection, weed competition, and maintenance
quality. Under optimal conditions, coastal sage scrub, cactus scrub, and mulefat scrub may
take approximately three from the installation of container plants and application of seed to
develop the appropriate structure to provide the functions and values needed for habitation of
wildlife, including suitable nesting habitat for California gnatcatcher and other scrub species.
In an unirrigated setting, and with drought conditions, scrub development may take longer
than three years to mature enough to be suitable for nesting. As a hedge against drought, the
addition of supplemental watering would increase plant survival, improve establishment, and
hasten habitat development. This plan allows for five years of maintenance and monitoring to
establish the target habitats.
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4 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
4.1 Rationale for Expecting Success
The identified locations for restoration on the Abalone Cove Reserve are directly adjacent to
viable and self-sustaining target habitats, indicating appropriate environmental conditions to
support the intended habitats. This HRP includes a provision for supplemental watering to
promote establishment and survival of native species included in the plant palette. The HRP also
includes a 5-year maintenance plan, wherein invasive non-native weeds within the restoration
site will be controlled to aid native plant establishment. Additionally, native plant materials will
be grown or collected from sources on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, thus preserving genetic
integrity and increasing the potential for long-term success.
4.2 Preliminary Schedule
Appropriate timing of planting and seeding will minimize the need for supplemental
watering and will increase the survival rate of the installed plants. The best survival rates are
achieved when container plants and seed are installed at the onset of the rainy season or soon
thereafter (November through Februar y). Planting and seeding at the site should be timed to
take advantage of seasonal rainfall patterns and most appropriate growing season
temperatures (see Charts 1–2 and Table 5).
Table 5
Preliminary Restoration Project Schedule
Task Date
Site clearing Fall prior to first year
Invasive weed species control and grow-kill cycles Winter and Spring of first year
Installation of supplemental watering system Summer of first year
Planting container stock Fall and Early Winter of second year
Seed application Fall and Early Winter of third year
Monitoring and maintenance To begin upon successful installation of container plants
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4.2.1 Site Preparation
Site preparation includes control of invasive weed species and soil preparation in the restoration
areas. If clearing of weeds is planned to be performed during the migratory bird nesting season
(February 15–September 15), a nesting bird survey should be conducted by a qualified wildlife
biologist within 72 hours prior to vegetation removal in accordance with the Migratory Bird
Treaty Act (16 U.S.G. 703-712).
During site preparation, all invasive weed species, particularly non-native annual grasses, black
mustard, and fennel, should be killed and removed from the restoration areas. Invasive species
control should also include exotic trees and shrubs such as spiny holdback, Peruvian pepper,
Brazilian pepper, coastal wattle, pine trees, and palms, as directed by PVPLC staff.
The initial weed control effort will involve a combination of chemical and mechanical
treatment. Prior to the installation of native plant materials , “grow and kill” weed removal
treatments should be conducted by allowing non-native seedling emergence in the winter and
spring. When weeds have begun to grow, and before they begin to develop flowers or
flowering structures, a foliar application of an appropriate systemic herbicide should be
applied to kill target weeds. If adequate rainfall occurs during this period, multiple grow-kill
cycles should be repeated. The restoration ecologist will provide weed control
recommendations to the restoration maintenance staff that are specific to the target weed
species identified for control. Any use of herbicides shall be in accordance with label
instructions, following the recommendations of a licensed Pest Control Advisor, and any
application shall be applied under the direction of a state-certified Qualified Applicator.
4.2.2 Supplemental Watering System
The planned method of providing supplemental watering at the proposed restoration area is with
a temporary above-ground drip irrigation system. This will help ensure that native container
plants and seed installed on site will become adequately established. The supplemental watering
system would only be used until the plants are established such that they can survive on their
own between periods of rainfall. It is expected that, depending upon the level of plant
establishment, the watering system would be removed after two to three years of use. Watering
on site will gradually be decreased prior to the removal of the system so the plants can become
acclimated to the site’s natural conditions.
The habitat enhancement area may prove infeasible for installation of a temporary watering
system. Areas that require planting within the enhancement area will be considered for
supplemental watering from a water truck or the use of alternative methods such as DriWater.
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There is a fire hydrant located immediately north of the proposed restoration site along Palos
Verdes Drive South that may function as a point of connection for a temporary irrigation system
(Figure 5). The irrigation system should be designed by a landscape architect to ensure that the
system has adequate water pressure to supply water to all areas of the proposed restoration site.
The supplemental watering system would be installed as an above-ground system, so that
irrigation equipment may be removed once the system has been decommissioned.
4.2.3 Erosion Control
Where needed, erosion control measures, such as the installation of sandbags, fiber rolls, silt
fencing, and/or erosion-control matting may be necessary to control erosion until target
vegetation is established. At a minimum, silt fencing should be installed at the toe of slopes that
are unvegetated after removing non-native species. Additionally, erosion control materials may
be needed at the edge of the coastal bluff, particularly in the locations where surface runoff
coalesces and runs off the bluff. No erosion control materials should be used that contain
seed from non-native plants. The need and location of erosion control will be determined in
the field by the project’s restoration ecologist.
4.2.4 Plant Installation
Standard planting procedures will be employed for installing container stock. Planting holes shall
be approximately twice the width of the rootball, and as deep. If dry soil conditions exist at the
time of plant installation, planting holes will be filled with water and allowed to drain
immediately prior to planting. A fertilizer packet with controlled-release fertilizer (e.g., Best
Paks 20-10-5) will be placed in the bottom of each hole prior to planting.
4.2.5 Seed Application
Seed will be hand broadcast throughout the restoration site. The seed mix is primarily a
supplemental feature to increase diversity and will not occur until the second year of the
Restoration Program. The seeding sites should be prepared by removing weedy vegetation to
expose the soil surface. The seed should be raked into the soil so there is good seed-soil contact.
Seeding should be timed to occur prior to or early in the rainy season.
FIGURE 5
Abalone Cove Restoration Area
Habitat Restoration Plan for the Abalone Cove Ecological Reserve in the Portuguese Bend Nature Preserve
SOURCE: Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, 2014; Bing Maps, 2015
Document Path: Z:\Projects\j908501\MAPDOC\MAPS\RESTOR Abalone Cove\AC Figure5-RestorationAreas.mxd9085
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Representative Photo Location
Soil Sample
Trails
Access Road
Abalone Cove Restoration Site
30-Ft Buffer Zone for Canyon Stabalization Project
Preserve Boundary
Restoration Treatment
Cactus Scrub (1.1 Ac)
Coastal Sage Scrub (3.5 Ac)
Mulefat Scrub (0.2 Ac)
Habitat Enhancement (8.3 Ac)
Cactus Scrub Enhancement (2.2 Ac)
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5 MAINTENANCE PLAN
The purpose of the maintenance plan is to provide guidelines for long-term maintenance of the
restoration site during the establishment period. Maintenance activities will be initiated during
the weed reduction period (i.e., grow-kill cycles), and will occur at the direction of the project’s
restoration ecologist on an as-needed basis. The maintenance period will intensify after the
installation of the container plants. Maintenance will be necessary until the habitats are fully
established, which is estimated to take approximately five years.
Because the goal of this project is to establish a natural system that can support itself with
little or no maintenance, the primary focus of the maintenance plan is concentrated in the
first few seasons of plant growth following the revegetation effort, when weeds can easily
out-compete native plants. The intensity of the maintenance activity is expected to subside
each year as the native plants become established, and local competition from non-native
plants for resources is minimized through direct removal and treatment of non-native plants.
5.1 Maintenance Activities
Maintenance activities will be primarily related to non-native invasive plant species control.
Supplemental watering, supplemental planting, trash removal, and erosion control will also be
conducted, as necessary.
Non-native plant species should be controlled as soon as they begin to establish.
Recommended control methods should be tailored to each specific weed species and should
include the most effective control measures for the species and time of year. Control methods
may include a combination of manual, mechanical, and chemical control.
Container plants should be watered when natural rainfall is not adequate to sustain the
establishing plants. The project’s restoration ecologist will be responsible for scheduling
the supplemental watering to promote plant establishment. Supplemental watering should
be conducted as deep, soaking watering to promote deep rooting.
Generally, the site will not be fertilized during the maintenance period unless determined
necessary by the project’s restoration ecologist as a remedial measure to correct soil
nutrient deficiencies.
Deadwood and leaf litter of native vegetation should not be removed. Deadwood and
leaf litter provide valuable microhabitats for invertebrates, reptiles, small mammals,
and birds. Non-organic trash and debris should be removed from the revegetation
areas on a regular basis.
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Erosion control materials should be maintained in working order until they are
deemed no longer necessary by the project’s restoration ecologist. Maintenance of
erosion control materials may include repairing or replacing dilapidated, damaged, or
ineffective materials.
5.2 General Habitat Maintenance Guidelines
5.2.1 Weed Control
Weeds are expected to be the primary pest problem in the restoration area during the first
several years of the maintenance period. Weeds should be controlled so they do not prevent
the establishment of the native species or invade adjacent areas. A combination of physical
removal, mechanical treatments (weed whipping) and appropriate herbicide treatments
should be used to control the non-native/invasive plant species. Weeds should be controlled
prior to setting seed, and should be removed from the site if they become large enough to
block sunlight to developing native plants.
Re-establishment of non-native plants onto the site can be adequately minimized by regular and
timely maintenance visits with implementation of effective weed control measures. Weed control
will require constant diligence by the maintenance personnel. Invasive plant species, such as
those listed in Table 1 should be controlled wherever possible within the restoration area. Mature
invasive tree species will be retained at the discretion of the PVPLC though the majority of
individuals should be removed to reduce the spread of weed propagules.
Removal of weeds by hand where practicable and effective is the most desirable method of
control and should be done around individual plantings and native seedlings to avoid inadvertent
damage to the native species. However, several of the invasive species may be more effectively
controlled with herbicide due to their tenacious and spreading root systems, their size, or their
ability to re-sprout from root fragments. All herbicides shall be used in accordance with label
instructions, following the recommendations of a licensed Pest Control Advisor, and any
application shall be applied under the direction of a state-certified Qualified Applicator. The
project’s restoration ecologist should monitor control efforts to ensure that the target weed
species are being adequately addressed without impacting the native plants.
The non-native Bagrada bug (Bagrada hilaris) has been documented on the Palos Verdes
Peninsula, and is known to cause substantial damage to plant species from the mustard
family (Brassicaceae ) (County of Los Angeles 2013; University of California, Riverside
2013). As black mustard is one of the predominant species within the proposed coastal sage
scrub restoration area, the Bagrada bug may occur; however, it is expected that the damage
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caused by this insect would be to non-native mustard species, and not native plants. Despite
this, if the species becomes problematic as a pest species on the native plants, then the
restoration ecologist will evaluate whether or not control measures are necessary. Similarly,
if other deleterious pests (e.g., beetles on bladderpod) become problematic enough to cause
container plant mortality, the restoration ecologist may recommend measures to minimize
pests and promote healthy plant establishment.
5.2.2 Supplemental Watering System
Supplemental watering will be provided for two to three years after planting to help the
container plants become established. Supplemental watering will be provided through a drip
irrigation system. Supplemental watering would likely be necessary every 3–4 weeks during
the dry season, and more frequently immediately after installation if natural rainfall does not
provide adequate moisture. If a temporary, on-grade supplemental watering system is
installed in the restoration area as described in Section 4.4, it would need to be maintained
and repaired as necessary.
The watering system shall be checked regularly to ensure proper operation and adequate
coverage of the restoration areas. Problems with the watering system shall be repaired
immediately to reduce potential plant mortality or erosion. The frequency and duration of
irrigation applications shall be adjusted seasonally in coordination with the project’s restoration
ecologist to meet habitat needs.
Supplemental watering will be terminated when deemed appropriate by the project’s restoration
ecologist. All above-ground components of the watering system should be removed from the site
at the successful completion of the project. The timing for cessation and removal of the irrigation
system shall be determined by the project’s restoration ecologist.
5.2.3 Clearing and Trash Removal
Trash consists of all man-made materials, equipment, or debris dumped, thrown, washed
into, or left within the restoration area. Pruning or clearing of native vegetation is not
anticipated to be necessary within the restoration area, unless extensive growth is causing a
maintenance problem for a utility or for an area outside of the restoration area. Any
pruning or clearing of native vegetation should be approved by the project’s restoration
ecologist. Deadwood and leaf litter of native vegetation will be left in place to replenish
soil nutrients and organic matter.
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5.3 Schedule of Maintenance Inspections
The project’s restoration ecologist will perform quarterly maintenance/monitoring
inspections during the scheduled maintenance and monitoring period. Recommendations for
maintenance efforts will be based upon these site observation visits. Weed control shall be
conducted as needed to ensure adequate control to promote healthy establishment of the
target habitat types. It is anticipated that weed control will be necessary on a monthly basis
during the winter and early spring when weeds are vigorously growing. Weed control during
other times of the year will likely be diminished, but conducted as necessary, and as directed
by the project’s restoration ecologist.
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6 MONITORING PLAN
Monitoring of the restoration site has a two-fold purpose: (1) To monitor the progress of the
Abalone Cove Reserve restoration areas by assessing native habitat establishment relative to the
established performance standards; and (2) To direct and monitor the maintenance activities and
determine remedial actions in a manner that ensures that appropriate maintenance occurs in a
timely manner. The monitoring will be performed by the project’s restoration ecologist.
The project’s restoration ecologist will be responsible for monitoring activities of all the work
crews during preparation of the restoration area including site clearing and soil preparation, weed
control, container plant and seed application, and quarterly monitoring for the duration of the 5-
year maintenance and monitoring period.
Reports will be prepared annually for the restoration areas after installation is complete. Each
report will include qualitative data, photo documentation, and future recommendations for site
maintenance as described below.
6.1 Performance Standards
Performance standards have been established for the habitat restoration area based on the
guidelines in the draft NCCP and on expected vegetative development relative to undisturbed
habitat of the same type (Table 6). The following performance standards apply to the Abalone
Cove restoration site:
1. Soil at the site is stable and shows no significant erosion.
2. After five years, non-native plant cover is less than 25% with less than 15% cover of
invasive perennial species. After five years, there will be no presence of species on Cal-
IPC List A with the possible exception of Cal-IPC List A non-native annual grasses.
3. Native plant cover after three years in the CSS community should be greater than 40%
with at least 30% cover from perennial species. At five years, total native cover should be
greater than 50% with appropriate species diversity.
4. Native plant cover after three years in the cactus scrub community should be greater than
30% with at least 20% cover from perennial species and 5% cover from cactus species.
Native plant cover after five years in the cactus scrub community should be greater than
40% with at least 10% cover from cactus.
Habitat Restoration Plan for the Abalone
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Table 6
Performance Standards
Year
Percent Cover of Native Species (%)* Non-native Cover (for all habitat types)
Coastal Sage
Scrub Cactus Scrub Mulefat Scrub
Invasive Perennial
Species Cover
Total Non-native
Species Cover
Year 3 >40% (>30%
perennial)
>30% (>20%
perennial and
>5% cacti)
>40% <15% (0% of Cal-IPC List
A)*
<25%
Year 5 >50% >40% (>10%
cacti)
>50% <15% (0% of Cal-IPC List
A)*
<25%
* The NCCP success criteria allow an exception to the requirement for 0% Cal-IPC List A for non-native annual grasses. In
other words, Cal-IPC List A grass species would not count toward the 0% criteria, but would count toward the 25% criteria for
total non-native species cover.
The Year 3 performance standards will be utilized to assess the annual progress of the restoration
area, and are regarded as interim project objectives designed to reach the final Year 5 goals.
Fulfillment of these standards will indicate that the restoration area on the project site is
progressing toward the habitat type and functions that constitute the long-term goals of the plan.
If the restoration efforts fail to meet the performance standards in any year, the project’s
restoration ecologist may recommend remedial action to be implemented the following year with
the intent to enhance the vegetation to a level of conformance with the original standard. These
remedial actions may include re-seeding, re-planting, applying soil amendments, additional weed
control measures, erosion control, or adjustments to the watering and maintenance practices.
6.2 Monitoring Methods and Schedule
Annual qualitative assessments will be conducted through visual analysis of the restoration area
to assess vegetation development, weed presence, and plant establishment. Qualitative monitoring
will include reviewing the health and vigor of container plants and seed germination/establishment,
assessing survival/mortality, checking for the presence of pests and disease, soil moisture content,
and the effectiveness of the supplemental watering, erosion problems, invasion of weeds, and the
occurrence of trash and/or vandalism. Representative photographs of the restoration site from
stationary photo points will be taken annually.
Permanent vegetation sampling sites will be established within the coastal sage scrub and cactus
scrub restoration areas at randomized representative locations. A minimum of one transect will
be established for each two acres of restoration area, and at least one transect for each habitat
type. The mulefat scrub area is too small to establish quantitative sampling sites and will be
evaluated with visual estimates of cover. Transect data will be collected in Years 3 and 5 from
the restoration sites in the spring and will be used to determine compliance and achievement of
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the restoration performance standards. Transect data will be collected using the point-intercept
method to determine percent target vegetation cover and weed cover. If the restoration project is
in compliance with the Year 5 performance standards in an earlier monitoring period, then
qualitative assessments may be substituted for the quantitative monitoring until the end of the 5-
year restoration program. If the restoration site is performing below the interim performance
standards, the project’s restoration ecologist will determine if remedial measures are necessary.
Each monitoring visit will be followed by a summary of observations, recommendations, and
conclusions. Results from the annual monitoring will be used to evaluate the progress of each habitat
toward the ultimate goals of the project, and to recommend appropriate management actions.
6.3 Monitoring Reports
The designated restoration ecologist will monitor and report on the restoration work underway in
the Abalone Cove Reserve. The restoration area will be monitored for five years, with reports
prepared in Years 1-3 and Year 5. Monitoring reports should provide concise, meaningful
summaries of the restoration progress and provide direction and maintenance recommendations
for future work.
Annual reports will include the following:
1. A description of the restoration and maintenance activities (e.g., seeding, irrigation, weed
control, trash removal) conducted on the site during the previous year including the dates
the activities were conducted.
2. A description of existing conditions within the restoration site, including descriptions of
vegetation composition, weed species, and erosion problems, if any.
3. Qualitative and quantitative monitoring data related to proposed target goals including a
comparative analysis of data over the years the project has been monitored.
4. Recommendations for remedial measures to correct problems or deficiencies, if any.
5. Representative photographs of notable observations on site and from fixed
photo viewpoints.
6.4 Project Conclusion
At the end of the 5-year monitoring period, a final report will be prepared by the restoration
ecologist for submittal to PVPLC. The final report will summarize the project relative to project
goals. Upon completion, the site will be managed along with other reserve lands in the Palos
Verdes Nature Preserve by the PVPLC.
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7 REFERENCES
Atwood J.L., M.R. Fugagli, J.C. Luttrell, and N.C. Nicolai. 1994. California gnatcatchers, cactus
wrens, and conservation of coastal sage scrub on the Palos Verdes Peninsula: progress
report no. (1993). Unpublished technical report, Manomet Observatory for Conservation
Sciences, Manomet, MA. 52 pp. plus appendices.
County of Los Angeles. 2013. California Department of Food and Agriculture. Bagrada
Bug. Accessed online at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/PPD/PDF/
Bagrada_hilaris.pdf. May 6, 2013.
University of California, Riverside. 2013. Center for Invasive Species Research. Bagrada Bug.
Accessed online at http://cisr.ucr.edu/bagrada_bug.html. May 6, 2013.
California Invasive Plant Inventory. 2015. Invasive Plant Inventory. Accessed online at:
http://www.cal-ipc.org/paf. California Invasive Plant Council: Berkeley, California.
California Native Plant Society (CNPS). 2015. Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of
California. Accessed online at http://www.rareplants.cnps.org.
Dudek and Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy. 2007. 2007 Habitat Restoration Plan for
the Abalone Cove Ecological Reserve in the Portuguese Bend Nature Preserve for the
Rancho Palos Verdes Natural Community Conservation Plan and Habitat Conservation
Plan. Prepared for the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
Holland, R.F. 1986. Preliminary Descriptions of the Terrestrial Natural Communities of
California. Nongame-Heritage Program, California Department of Fish and Game.
October 1986.
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy and the California Native Plant Society 2010.
Vegetation Mapping of the Rancho Palos Verdes NCCP Preserve: Vegetation Map and
Classification Report. January. 83 pp.
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy. 2012. 2012 Palos Verdes Nature Preserve Report for
the Rancho Palos Verdes Natural Community Conservation Plan. Prepared by the Palos
Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy.
Habitat Restoration Plan for the Abalone
Cove Reserve in the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
9085
40 February 2016
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy. 2013. Cumulative Report for the Targeted Exotic
Removal Program for Plants (TERPP). Prepared by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land
Conservancy. August.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service. 1969.
Report and General Soil Map, Los Angeles County, California.
APPENDIX A
Soil Test Results
WALLACE LABS SOILS REPORTPrint Date July 17, 2015 Receive Date 7/16/15
365 Coral Circle Location Palos Verdes Peninsula, Job No. 9085
El Segundo, CA 90245 Requester Andy Thomson and Jake Marcon, Dudek
(310) 615-0116 graphic interpretation: * very low, ** low, *** moderate
ammonium bicarbonate/DTPA * * * * high, * * * * * very high
extractable ‐ mg/kg soil Sample ID Number 15-198-07 15-198-08 15-198-09
Interpretation of data Sample Description AC #1 AC #2 AC #3
low medium high elements graphic graphic graphic
0 ‐ 7 8‐15 over 15 phosphorus 10.35 ***10.25 ***9.20 ***
0‐60 60 ‐120 121‐180 potassium 522.13 *****318.32 *****247.26 *****
0 ‐ 4 4 ‐ 10 over 10 iron 1.38 *1.45 *1.38 *
0‐ 0.5 0.6‐ 1 over 1 manganese 2.01 ****2.01 ****1.61 ****
0 ‐ 1 1 ‐ 1.5 over 1.5 zinc 2.45 ****2.40 ****11.62 *****
0‐ 0.2 0.3‐ 0.5 over 0.5 copper 6.19 *****5.50 *****6.36 *****
0‐ 0.2 0.2‐ 0.5 over 1 boron 0.18 **0.23 ***0.17 **
calcium 322.10 ***316.50 ***326.12 ***
magnesium 259.18 *****304.98 *****347.17 *****
sodium 197.35 ***212.89 ****155.06 ***
sulfur 20.84 *20.50 *27.78 **
molybdenum 0.08 ***0.01 **0.10 ****
nickel 2.51 **1.85 **1.74 **
The following trace aluminum n d * n d * n d *
elements may be toxic arsenic 0.07 *0.01 *0.03 *
The degree of toxicity barium 2.41 *1.81 *2.97 *
depends upon the pH of cadmium 1.46 **0.99 *1.00 *
the soil, soil texture,chromium n d * n d * n d *
organic matter, and the cobalt 0.06 *0.04 *n d *
concentrations of the lead 2.51 **2.10 **4.20 **
individual elements as lithium 0.40 *0.40 *0.43 *
well as to their interactions.mercury n d * n d * n d *
selenium n d * n d * n d *
The pH optimum depends silver n d * n d * n d *
upon soil organic strontium 0.61 *0.68 *0.75 *
matter and clay content- tin n d *n d *n d *
for clay and loam soils: vanadium 1.28 **1.20 **1.38 **
under 5.2 is too acidic
6.5 to 7 is ideal Saturation Extract
over 8.0 is too alkaline pH value 7.69 ****7.76 ****7.68 ****
The ECe is a measure of ECe (milli-0.72 **0.45 **0.44 **
the soil salinity: mho/cm)millieq/l millieq/l millieq/l
1-2 affects a few plants calcium 61.1 3.1 38.8 1.9 41.3 2.1
2-4 affects some plants, magnesium 14.3 1.2 8.7 0.7 9.7 0.8
> 4 affects many plants. sodium 43.6 1.9 32.9 1.4 26.5 1.2
potassium 11.4 0.3 2.3 0.1 2.5 0.1
cation sum 6.4 4.2 4.1
problems over 150 ppm chloride 128 3.6 48 1.3 49 1.4
good 20 - 30 ppm nitrate as N 12 0.9 7 0.5 5 0.3
phosphorus as P 0.2 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.0
toxic over 800 sulfate as S 7.6 0.5 8.5 0.5 11.3 0.7
anion sum 5.0 2.4 2.4
toxic over 1 for many plants boron as B 0.28 **0.16 *0.22 **
increasing problems start at 3 SAR 1.3 * 1.2 * 1.0 *
est. gypsum requirement-lbs./1000 sq. ft.37 54 58
relative infiltration rate slow/fair sand - 19.6% slow sand - 18.0% slow sand - 18.1%
soil texture clay silt - 34.3%clay silt - 33.1% clay silt - 35.9%
lime (calcium carbonate)slight clay - 46.1%low clay - 48.9% slight clay - 46.0%
organic matter fair fair fair
moisture content of soil 14.5% gravel over 2 mm 15.2% gravel over 2 mm 15.4% gravel over 2 mm
half saturation percentage 41.3% 8.8%40.8% 8.4% 46.3% 8.9%
Elements are expressed as mg/kg dry soil or mg/l for saturation extract.
pH and ECe are measured in a saturation paste extract. nd means not detected.
Sand, silt, clay and mineral content based on fraction passing a 2 mm screen.
APPENDIX B
2020 RESTORATION MONITORING
REPORT
Appendix B - 2
In 2020 vegetation surveys were conducted at restoration sites within currently-managed
NCCP/HCP restoration projects located at Alta Vicente and Portuguese Bend Reserves to
quantify establishment of native plant habitat through measurements of estimated percent cover
of native and non-native plants, litter, and bare ground. This data is used to evaluate the success
of restoration based on the goals determined in each site-specific restoration plan.
1.0 ALTA VICENTE SURVEY METHODS
Restored habitat areas were surveyed through qualitative and photographic vegetative
assessment techniques along 50m permanent transect lines (location of transects: Appendix B1
and B2, Figure 1 and Figure 2) within three habitat types (coastal sage scrub, cactus scrub, and
Palos Verdes blue butterfly habitat). Transects were surveyed in April 2020 by PVPLC Biologist
Austin Parker. Success criteria was assessed using qualitative methodology (CNPS Rapid
Vegetation Assessment Method) in monitoring Years 1 and Year 2 and with quantitative
methodology (point-intercept method) in Years 3 and 5. Photopoints were collected in all
monitoring years. Areas that had not achieved success by Year 5 according to criteria, were
assessed using qualitative methods to determine overall plant health for the restored area.
Qualitative measurements of percent cover for native, non-native, species-specific, and bare/litter
categories were collected through use of an adapted form of the CNPS Rapid Vegetation
Assessment Method. Quantitative measurements of percent cover and plant size (height and
width) were collected using the point-intercept method on a 50m transect to evaluate restoration
success based on set criteria for Year 3 and Year 5 after planting. Photopoints were taken at both
ends of permanent monitoring transects to aid in the assessment of plant health and
establishment. Transects not meeting success criteria by Year 5 (end of required monitoring
period) were monitored using qualitative measures to assess plant percent cover and overall
recovery of the habitat within a 10-m buffer of the transect.
1.1 ALTA VICENTE PHASE 2 SURVEY RESULTS (YEAR 10)
Cactus Scrub
All Cactus Scrub transects were removed from monitoring activities after achieving success
criteria in 2018 or earlier.
PVB Butterfly Habitat
Two monitoring transects (AV2 and AV5) were surveyed within the PVB butterfly habitat of
Phase 2 restored areas. AV2 was surveyed within the PVB habitat of Phase 2 restoration following
a relocation from Phase 1. Qualitative survey methods (CNPS Rapid Vegetation Assessment
Method) found percent cover of native plant species to be 44% with 2% cover by PVB host plants
(Table 1). Native plant cover is within the success criteria range for Year 5 goals (Table 8) but
host plant cover falls below Year 5 goals.
Appendix B - 3
At AV5, qualitative survey methods (CNPS Rapid Vegetation Assessment Method) found percent
cover by native plant species to be 43% with 6% cover by PVB host plants (Table 1). Qualitative
assessments indicate that habitat along AV5 is within success criteria goals for native cover (30-
60% in Year 5) but the host plant cover falls below Year 5 goals.
Coastal Sage Scrub
One monitoring transect (AV6) was surveyed within the coastal sage scrub of Phase 2 restoration.
Qualitative survey methods (CNPS Rapid Vegetation Assessment Method) found percent cover
of native plant species to be 58% with the highest cover by Encelia californica (20%) and Artemisia
californica (20%) (Table 1). Qualitative methods describe AV6 as achieving success criteria goals
for native plant cover, and will be removed from future monitoring efforts.
1.2 ALTA VICENTE SURVEY RESULTS PHASE 3 (YEAR 3)
Phase 3 restoration in Alta Vicente was officially monitored in 2020 (Year 3) for the first time
(AV7 and AV8) using quantitative monitoring methods as well as the Grassland area within Phase
3 using qualitative monitoring methods (CNPS Rapid Assessment Methodology)
Using qualitative methods (Point intercept line transect) two coastal sage scrub habitats were
found to be 38% (AV7) and 42% (AV8). While being only 2% below success criteria, AV7 has not
met year 3 goal. AV8 however, has met year 3 CSS success criteria and is seemingly on track to
meet year 5 success criteria.
1.3 ALTA VICENTE SURVEY RESULTS PHASE 4 (YEAR 2)
Phase 4 restoration in Alta Vicente will not be officially monitored until 2021 (Year 3), however
preliminary assessments describe habitat as establishing well and in good health. Using qualitative
methods (CNPS Rapid Vegetation Assessment Method) coastal sage scrub and wildflower
habitats were found to already be approaching Year 3 goals with native cover at 40% in coastal
sage scrub restored areas.
1.4 ALTA VICENTE CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
In 2020, two transects (AV6, AV8) met success criteria standards, while three transects (AV2,
AV5 and AV7) did not. Transect AV6 within coastal sage scrub habitat was successful in
meeting performance standards. Perennial species such as Artemisia californica, Encelia californica,
and Eriogonum fasciculatum appear to be well established and in good health. Three species of
cactus were observed at the site, with highest presence by Opuntia littoralis. Increased cactus
presence at the site is likely a result of infill planting directed by the 2017 monitoring report and
increased detection due to lower non-native plant and Encelia californica cover at the transect.
The cactus scrub habitat areas in Phase 1 and 2 restoration at Alta Vicente also received
additional cactus planting in 2018 in connection with coastal cactus wren recovery efforts at the
site. The recent success at these transects could be attributed to an increased in precipitation
Appendix B - 4
in 2017, 2019, and 2020. Watering and maintenance of these cactus plantings occurred in 2018,
2019 and again in 2020.
Palos Verdes blue butterfly restoration areas made good improvements to meet success
criteria standards in 2020, but still failed to meet success criteria. Considerable effort was given
to the removal of the invasive plant, crystalline ice plant, in 2016, which was promptly followed
by non-native annual grasses colonizing the site. This persistent weed encroachment has
required frequent visits from field technicians to reduce weed cover. Following the observed
absence of host plant along PVB transects (AV2, AV5) in 2017 monitoring, infill planting later
that year (October) reintroduced PVB host plants to the site. It is thought that these infill plants
and their progeny comprised the majority of host plants detected in the 2018, 2019, and 2020
monitoring and produced 2% and 7% cover by host plant species at transects AV2 and AV5.
Restoration work in October 2018 also added additional host plant and drip line irrigation to
further promote host plant establishment. It is recommended that weed removal continue and
be more frequently implemented at PVB host plant restoration sites than other perennial
dominated habitat types. Any infill planting that needs to occur in these areas should be solely
PVB and ESB host plant species. Along with potential infill planting of butterfly host plants, future
thinning of shrubs may be necessary to keep these areas within Butterfly habitat success criteria percent
cover.
2.0 PORTUGUESE BEND SURVEY METHODS (PHASE 1, 2 , 3 , 4 AND
5)
Restored habitat areas were surveyed through qualitative, quantitative, and photographic
vegetative assessment techniques. Qualitative measurements of percent cover for native, non-
native, species-specific, and bare/litter were collected through use of an adapted form of the
CNPS Rapid Vegetation Assessment Method across nine transects (PB1 - PB9). Quantitative
measurements of percent cover and plant size (height and width) were collected through use of
the point-intercept method across two transects in their third or fifth year of establishment (PV7
and PB9). Photopoint documentation of all restored areas continued, and typically included a
photograph being taken at the beginning and end of each monitoring transect. Monitoring surveys
were conducted throughout April 2020. Locations of monitoring transects and photopoints can
be found in Appendix B2, Figure 2.
2.1 PORTUGUESE BEND SURVEY RESULTS FOR PHASES 1 AND 2
(YEAR 8)
South-facing Coastal Sage Scrub (CSS)
Two monitoring transects (PB1 and PB2) within the south-facing CSS of Phase 1 and 2 restoration
did not meet Year 5 success criteria evaluation in 2017 and were subsequently monitored in
2018, 2019, and again in 2020 using qualitative (CNPS Rapid Vegetation Assessment) methods.
Appendix B - 5
At PB1, the presence of 12 native plant species, a total native plant cover of 52.5%, and a non-
native plant cover of 2.5% were observed (Table 7). Native plant species with the highest percent
cover at this transect included Artemisia californica (25%), Heteromeles arbutifolia (8%), and Encelia
californica (%) (Table 7). PB1 did meet final success criteria for native plant cover in 2020. At the
second monitoring transect, PB2, the presence of 17 native plant species, a total native cover of
50.5%, and non-native cover of 10% were observed (Table 7). Native species with the highest
percent cover at this transect included Artemisia californica (27%) and Eriogonum fasciculatum
(8%) (Table 7). PB2 did meet final success criteria in 2020. Transects PB1 and PB2 will no longer
be monitored using qualitative methods.
North-facing Coastal Sage Scrub (CSS)
One monitoring transect (PB3) situated within the north-facing CSS of Phase 1 and 2 restoration
failed to meet success criteria evaluation in 2017 and was subsequently monitored in 2018, 2019,
and again in 2020 using qualitative methods (CNPS Rapid Vegetation Assessment).
At PB3, the presence of 18 native plant species, a total native plant cover of 52.5%, and a non-
native plant cover of 4.5% were observed (Table 7). Native plant species with the highest percent
cover at this transect included Artemisia californica (15%) and Baccharis pilularis (20%) (Table 7).
PB3 did meet final success criteria for native plant cover in 2020. Transect PB3 will no longer be
monitored using qualitative methods.
Cactus Scrub
All Cactus Scrub transects situated within cactus scrub of Phase 1 and 2 restoration have met
the success criteria and were removed from monitoring activities.
2.2 PORTUGUESE BEND SURVEY RESULTS FOR PHASE 4 (YEAR 6)
North-facing Coastal Sage Scrub (CSS)
All North-facing Coastal Sage Scrub transects situated within cactus scrub of Phase 1 and 2
restoration have met the success criteria and were removed from monitoring activities.
2.3 PORTUGUESE BEND SURVEY RESULTS PHASE 5 (YEAR 5)
South-facing Coastal Sage Scrub (CSS)
One monitoring transect (PB8) within south-facing CSS of Phase 5 restoration was evaluated
against success criteria in 2018 and surveyed using both quantitative (point intercept) and
qualitative (CNPS Rapid Vegetation Assessment) methods. Quantitative and qualitative
measurements describe this transect as meeting criteria for both native and non-native plant
cover in Year 3 monitoring in 2018. PB8 was monitored again in 2020 (Year 5) using both
quantitative and qualitative methods.
Appendix B - 6
At PB8, quantitative methods were used to identify the presence of 11 native plant species, a
total native plant cover of 81% and non-native plant cover of 0% (Table 3). Native plant species
with the highest percent cover at this transect included Artemisia californica (35%) and Eriogonum
fasciculatum (Table 3). Qualitative methods (CNPS Rapid Vegetation Assessment) were used to
identify the presence of 16 native plants, a total native plant cover of 58.5%, and non-native cover
of 2.5% (Table 7). Native species with the highest percent cover were Artemisia californica (25%),
Eriogonum fasciculatum (8%), and Encelia californica (7%) (Table 7). Quantitative and Qualitative
measurements describe this transect as meeting criteria for both native and non-native plant
cover in Year 5 monitoring. The transect PB8 will no longer be monitored in the future.
Cactus Scrub
One monitoring transect (PB9) within cactus scrub of Phase 5 restoration was evaluated against
success criteria in 2020 and surveyed using both quantitative (point intercept) and qualitative
(CNPS Rapid Vegetation Assessment) methods.
At PB9, quantitative methods were used to identify the presence of 8 native plant species, a total
native plant cover of 72% and non-native plant cover of 6% (Table 3). Native plant species with
the highest percent cover at this transect included Artemisia californica (15%), Encelia californica
(15%), and Opuntia littoralis (23%) (Table 3). Qualitative methods (CNPS Rapid Vegetation
Assessment) were used to identify the presence of 14 native plants, a total native plant cover of
54.5%, and non-native cover of 2% (Table 7). Native species with the highest percent cover were
Artemisia californica (15%) and Encelia californica (13%) (Table 7). Quantitative measurements
describe this transect as meeting criteria for both native and non-native plant cover in Year 5
monitoring, however qualitative measurements describe this transect as not passing due to the
total Cactus species (5% qualitatively) not meeting success criteria. The transect PB9 will be
monitored in 2021 (Year 6) using qualitative methods.
2.4 PORTUGUESE BEND CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Five transects within restored habitat of Portuguese Bend were evaluated for success criteria in 2020.
Of these, two (PB8, PB9) were under quantitative evaluation (Year 5) as well as qualitative evaluation,
another four transects (PB1, PB2, and PB3) were qualitatively evaluated after failing to meet Year 5
success criteria in previous years.
Several transects within coastal sage scrub habitat (north and south facing) of Phase 1 and 2 were
able to meet success criteria along with one transect in cactus habitat of Phase 5. Phase 1 and 2 are
the earliest phases of the now 25 acres of restoration in Portuguese Bend. Monitoring transects in
these areas have now met success criteria measures and display good overall health of the vegetation.
As mentioned in the 2017, 2018, and 2019 reports, several factors had been preventing transects
within these phases from being successful; namely the invasion by the non-native black mustard
(Brassica nigra) and drought conditions. With the efforts to clear black mustard from the restoration
Appendix B - 7
area, native plants were still slow to recover following the strong mustard influx in 2017 and 2019
that comes with the higher than normal average rainfall that occurred in 2017 and 2019. But with
that precipitation increase came an increase in native shrub cover, thus reaching the goal of at least
50% percent relative cover of native Coastal Sage Scrub plants in these initial phases. The cactus
restoration in Phase 5 also failed to meet criteria in the qualitative methods, but passed using the
quantitative methods. Infill planting of native species, mostly cactus species, occurred in 2018 and
early 2019, before the growing season. It is recommended that Phase 5 cactus restoration area
continue to be monitored and maintained to remove non-native plant cover and allow the cactus
species to grow and increase their relative cover so that the area can pass the qualitative monitoring.
Even with infill planting efforts, cactus scrub is notoriously slow growing and will take longer than the
allotted 5 year project timeline to reach success criteria.
The resulting increase in percent cover of native shrubs and subsequent achieving of success criteria
in Phase 1 and 2 may be attributed to the higher than normal rainfall in early 2019 as well as the
slightly above rainfall in 2020. Also later phases of restoration in Portuguese Bend (Phase 4 and 5)
appear to be benefiting from “lessons learned” in earlier phases (Phase 1 and 2). The early phases
were planted in lower density and irrigated with overhead sprinklers, and have not achieved success
criteria in the timeline required by the Habitat Restoration Plan and NCCP/HCP. PVPLC has since
implemented restoration phases with drip irrigation which has reduced plant die off and reduced
germination of nonnative weeds, as well as planting in higher density (more plants per acre).
Subsequent planting phases have achieved more transects passing or progressing toward achieving
success criteria goals. It is recommended that areas with near or qualifying success criteria evaluations
continue to receive nonnative plant control to maintain positive native plant growth and
establishment.
Appendix B - 8
Table 1. Alta Vicente Qualitative Survey Data
Percent cover along each 50m transect as observed along 10m swath on each side of the transect.
Species AV2 AV5 AV6 Phase 4 Grassland
Acmispon glaber 1 1 1
Amsinckia memziesii
Artemisia californica 20 15 20 12
Asclepias fascicularis 1
Astragalus trichopodus 1 5 0.5
Atriplex lentiformis 18
Baccharis salicifolia
brickelia
Cylindropuntia prolifera 0.5 0.5
Deinandra paniculata
Descurainia pinnata 0.5
Elymus condensatus 1 1
Encelia californica 5 15 20 2
Eriogonum cinereum 1 1 1
Eriogonum fasciculatum 3
Eriogonum parvifolium 1 2
Eschscholzia californica 0.5 2
Euphorbia albomarginata
Hazardia squarrosa
Heteromeles arbutifolia 0.5
Isocoma menziesii var. sedoides
Lupinus succulentus
Malosma laurina 1
Malacothrix saxatilis 0.5
Marah macrocarpa
Melilotus indicus 0.5
Mirabilis laevis 0.5 0.5
Opuntia littoralis 1 2
Opuntia oricola 2
Peritoma arborea 0.5 0.5 0.5
Rhus integrifolia 5 1 8 2
Rhus ovata
Ricinus communis
Salsola sp. 0.5
Salvia leucophylla 5 2 1 0.5
Salvia mellifera 0.5
Stipa sp.40
Solanum douglasii
Verbena sp
Total Native Cover 44 43 58 40 43.5
NNAG 2 5 1 3 7
NNP 3 9.5 4 5.5 10
Total Non-native Cover 5 14.5 5 8.5 17
Bare 16 10 16 1 1
Litter 35 32 21 51.5 38.5
Total Bare and Litter 51 42 37 52.5 39.5
Total Plant Cover 49 58 63 48.5 60.5
Appendix B - 9
Table 2. Alta Vicente Quantitative Survey Data for Phase 3
Sampling dates for Alta Vicente 2020 CNPS Rapid Vegetation Assessment and quantitative
monitoring of phase 3:
AV2, AV5, and AV6, Phase 4, Grassland: April 2020
Relative % Cover AV7 AV8
Artemisia californica 20 2
Encelia californica 12
Eriogonum cinereum 2 12
Eriogonum fasciculatum 12 8
Eriogonum parvifolium 4
Salvia leucophylla 2 4
Salvia mellifera 2
Total Native Plants 38 42
NNAG 0 0
NNP 0 0
Total Non-native Plants 0 0
Bare 30.00 27
Litter 32.00 29
Total Bare and Litter 62.00 56.00
Total Plant Cover 38 41
Appendix B - 10
Table 3. Portuguese Bend
Portuguese Bend Quantitative Monitoring
Sampling dates for Portuguese Bend 2020 point-intercept:
PB8 and PB 9: April 2020
Relative % Cover PB8 PB9
Artemisia californica 35 15
Asclepias fascicularis 4
Baccharis pilularis 4 2
Encelia californica 4 15
Eriogonum cinereum 3
Eriogonum fasciculatum 18 3
Eriogonum parvifolium 4
Malacothrix saxatilis 2
Opuntia littoralis 23
Stephanomeria virgata 6
Salvia leucophylla 2 3
Salvia mellifera 4
Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea 2
Solanum douglasii 2
Stipa sp. 2
Total Native Plants 81 72
NNAG 0 0
NNP 0 6
Total Non-native Plants 0 6
Bare 10.00 6
Litter 10 16
Total Bare and Litter 20 22
Total Plant Cover 81 72
Appendix B - 11
Table 4. Portuguese Bend Qualitative Monitoring Data
Percent cover along each 50m transect as observed along 10m swath on each side of the transect.
2020 Vegetation Assessment (for report)
Percent Cover (Veg Assessment)
Species PB1 PB2 PB3 PB8 PB9
Acmispon glaber 0.5 0.5
Ambrosia psilostachya 0.5
Artemisia californica 25.0 27.0 15.0 25.0 15.0
Asclepias fascicularis 0.5
Astragalus trichopodus 0.5 0.5
Baccharis pilularis 3.0 2.0 20.0 1.0 0.5
Baccharis salicifolia 0.5 0.5
Castilleja exserta 0.5
Deinandra fasciculata 1.0
Dichelostemma capitatum
Elymus condensatus 0.5
Encelia californica 5.0 7.0 13.0
Eriogonum cinereum 0.5 2.0 1.0
Eriogonum fasciculatum 3.0 8.0 1.0 8.0 0.5
Eriogonum parvifolium 1.0 0.5
Heteromeles arbutifolia 8.0 2.0 3.0 2.0 2.0
Isocoma menziesii var. sedoides 1.0 2.0 1.0
Malacothrix saxatilis 0.5 5.0 13.0
Malosma laurina 1.0
Marah macrocarpa 0.5
Opuntia littoralis 5.0
Phacelia cicutaria 0.5
Pseudognaphalium biolettii 0.5
Rhus integrifolia 2.0 2.0 2.0 3.0
Salivia leucophylla 3.0 1.0 1.0 2.0 1.0
Salivia mellifera 1.0 1.0 0.5 1.0
Salvia leucophylla 1.0
Sambucus nigra subsp caerulea 2.0 1.0 1.0
Sisyrinchium bellum 0.5
Stipa sp.1.0 0.5 0.5
Stephanomeria virgata 0.5 0.5 1.0
Unidentified No 1 0.5 0.5 0.5
Total Native Cover 52.5 50.5 52.5 58.5 54.5
NNAG 1.0 7.0 2.0 1.0 0.5
NNP 1.5 3.0 2.5 1.5 1.5
Total Non-native Cover 2.5 10.0 4.5 2.5 2.0
Bare 10.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Litter 35.0 39.5 42.0 38.0 42.5
Total Bare and Litter 45.0 40.5 43.0 39.0 43.5
Total Plant Cover 55.0 60.5 57.0 61.0 56.5
Appendix B - 12
Sampling dates for Portuguese Bend 2020 CNPS Rapid Vegetation Assessment:
PB1, PB2, and PB7: April 2020
PB8, and PB9: April 2020
Table 5. Alta Vicente and Portuguese Bend success criteria measures.
Percent Cover of Native Species (%) Percent Cover of Non-
native Species (%)
Preserve Year CSS Cactus Scrub1 PVB
Habitat2
CSS Cactus
Scrub
Alta
Vicente
Year 1* 10% 10% 10%
Year 2* 20% 20% 20%
Year 3 >40% >30% 30%-60%
max
Year 5 >50% >40% 30%-60%
max
Portuguese
Bend
Year 3
>40%
(≥30%
perennial)
>30%
(≥20% perennial
and 5% cactus)
Year 5 >50% >40%
(≥ 10% cactus)
<25% (<5%
perennials w/
no CAL-IPC
List A except
NNAG)
<25% (<5%
perennials w/
no CAL-IPC
List A except
NNAG)
* Percentage based on visual estimates.
1 Percentage coverage of cactus species should be at least 1% for Year 1, 3% for year 2, 5% for Year 3, and 10% for Year 5.
2 From Year 3 on, there should be at least 10% coverage from Acmispon glaber and/or Astragalus trichopodus and the woody shrubs should be
maintained at 10-20%.
CAL-IPC = California Invasive Plant Council
NNAG = non-native annual grass
Appendix B1 Alta Vicente Monitoring Transects
0 0.015 0.030.0075 Miles ´
Palos
V
e
r
d
e
s
D
r
i
v
e
S
o
u
t
h
AV2
AV1AV6
AV3
AV5
= Southern Cactus Scrub Restoration
= 50m Transect
= Coastal Sage Scrub Restoration
= Butterfly Habitat Restoration
Legend
Phase 1Phase 2
Phase 3
¯0 30 6015 Meters
Appendix B1 – Alta Vicente Transect Images
AV2 Beginning
AV2 Middle
AV2 End
AV5 Beginning AV5 End
AV6 Beginning AV6 End
AV7 Beginning AV7 End
AV8 Beginning AV8 End
Eagl
e
'
s
N
e
s
t
T
r
a
i
l
Ailor
T
r
a
i
l
Portuguese Bend ReserveNCCP Restoration Transects
360
PB1PB6
PB2
PB3
0 75 15037.5 Meters
PB9
PB8
PB5
PB7
PB4
Legend
Text
= Cactus Scrub
= Coastal Sage Scrub - North-facing Slopes
= Coastal Sage Scrub - South to West-facing Slopes
= 50m Transect¯
Text
Phase 3
Phase 1 and 2
Phase 5
Phase 4
Appendix B2
Appendix B2 – Portuguese Bend Transect Images
PB1 Beginning PB1 End
PB2 Beginning PB2 End
PB3 Beginning PB3 End
PB8 End
PB9 Beginning PB9 End
APPENDIX C
HABITAT IMPACTS
Preserve Projects and Habitat Impacts Summary
In January of 2020, PVPLC proposed the flying of a drone for research purposes in the lower
Portuguese bend area. Since bird breeding season had not yet started, no bird surveys were
conducted. PVPLC staff was on site throughout the flight to make sure all habitat minimization
measures were in place.
In the summer of 2020, the PVIC trail coastal bluff fence replacement was set to start. The
project consisted of the removal of old metal and wooden fencing on the coastal side of the
trail and replacement with concrete precast ranch railing. The project was completed by the
fall and PVPLC staff met on site to document any impacts to the surrounding habitat.
In March of 2020, Cox cable coordinated with PVPLC and RPV to underground aerial cable
that was mounted on steel posts along the preserve boundary. PVPLC made sure no impacts
would occur to the surrounding biological resources.
In April of 2020, SCE contractor Hampton-Teddere proposed work on various poles for
enhanced fire safety. Bird surveys showed no nesting activity in the area and the project had
minimal impacts.
In April of 2020, various power poles on Burma Road were targeted for upgrades for high fire
area. The poles were surveyed for nesting activity and impacts and none were found
In June of 2020, SCE proposed work on a power pole at Beach School Trail in Abalone Cove.
Minimization measures were taken to keep all equipment on the road and not create any new
impacts to the preserve.
In July of 2020, SCE proposed the removal of various nonfunctional power poles on the
preserve. Various site visits addressed access and any possible impacts to the preserve.
Minimization measures were taken to limit impacts to the preserve and the poles were
carefully removed and disposed of.
In July of 2020, SCR targeted several poles on Water tank and Klondike trail for replacement.
Poles were replaced and annual fuel modification zones were cleared around those poles. Bird
surveys were conducted and no impacts were observed to the preserve
In September of 2020, the city of RPV planned to install a gate at the Burma Road preserve
entrance. PVPLC coordinated to do a bird survey and assess if any impacts would occur to
the surrounding biological features. No impacts were recorded.
In September of 2020, McGee Surveying planned to do its annual surveys in the preserve.
Since the locations would be the same as previous years, it was determined that no new
impacts would occur on the preserve.
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy – |
In November of 2020, SCE/Davey Tree met with PVPLC and RPV staff to inspect areas of
annual line clearance along power poles. PVPLC educated the contractor about minimization
measures and it was concluded that no impacts would occur from the project.
In November of 2020, a water main belonging to Cal Water broke and drained onto Vanderlip
Trail. The trail was heavily eroded and closed. Various site visits worked out the best solution
to the project with minimal impacts to the preserve. The impacts were documented pre and
post work. Since the project was finished in 2021, any impacts will be reported in the 2019 –
2021 Comprehensive Annual Report.
In December of 2020, PVPLC coordinated directly with Express Sign & Neon Company to
fabricate and install two preserve signs at Malaga Cove and Ocean Trails. Locations of
installation and staging were marked and flagged. It was determined that no impacts would
occur from the project.
In December of 2020, Bellfree Contractors was contracted to work on water diversion
features along Burma Road and Water Tank Trail. Areas of concern were flagged and the
locations of water diversion swales were adapted to minimize any impacts to the preserve.
Since the project was finished in 2021, any impacts will be reported in the 2019 – 2021
Comprehensive Annual Report.
Table 1. Habitat Impacts in the PVNP in 2020
Date Project Impact Location and
Vegetation Type
Size
July – September PVIC Trail Coastal
Bluffs fence
replacement
Native plants
were removed or
trimmed. No
host plant was
impacted
Vicente Bluffs along
Seascape Trail;
Coastal Sage Scrub
.001
December Burma Road
Erosion Project
Will be reported
in 2021 Annual
Report
-
December Vanderlip Water
Main Break
Repairs
Will be reported
in 2021 Annual
Report
-
APPENDIX D
2020 TARGETED EXOTIC
REMOVAL PROGRAM FOR
PLANTS (TERPP)
Appendix D – 1
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy (PVPLC), as manager of the Palos Verdes
Nature Preserve (PVNP), conducts strategic weed control activities throughout the year as
part of the Targeted Exotic Plant Removal Plan for Plants (TERPP). As directed in the draft
Rancho Palos Verdes Natural Communities Conservation Plan (NCCP), PVPLC selects five
acres or 20 small sites of invasive plants for removal each year. The overall goal of this program
is to systematically target invasive species throughout the PVNP to increase the success of
native plant growth and create greater habitat opportunities for wildlife.
The TERPP is an element of the NCCP that includes a specific protocol for ranking exotic
species populations and strategically removing those species over time (Appendix D1-D7).
The 2020 TERPP Report documents PVPLC’s effort over the past year to remove exotic plant
species that threaten native vegetation in the PVNP. It details the methods of assessing the
threat of individual exotic species to native vegetation, field methods for removal and provides
site-specific documentation related to every completed removal site.
2.0 SITE ASSESSMENT
Invasive species control is included in PVPLC’s annual conservation planning strategy where
Stewardship staff prioritize potential TERPP sites and assess best practice methods for
removal. PVPLC staff locate TERPP sites to target for the calendar year, assess the best
method for eradication, photo document and map the population/s, and conduct weed
removal accordingly.
The PVPLC weighs potential areas for exotic species control based on several criteria:
1. Threat to native vegetation, particularly populations of NCCP-covered species;
2. Feasibility of eradication, which includes limiting disturbance to native habitat and ease
of access, and;
3. Invasiveness of exotic species, using a synthesized rating system drawn from plant
invasiveness rankings from both the California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) and the
California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).
Through regular property reviews and viewing fine scale imagery through the Geographic
Information System (GIS), ArcGIS, PVPLC plans for invasive species control across the entire
Preserve area.
A sample of the TERPP field data collection form is in Appendix D1. The forms provide basic
information about the species targeted, including site identification number and property,
approximate location, removal methods used, and general comments related to the removal
Appendix D – 2
activities. PVPLC also includes photo documentation: staff photographs the sites before work
takes place and after the removal of the individual or population of exotic species. Photo
documentation not only confirms completion of the work, but also provides a snapshot of the
surrounding environment at the time of the TERPP-related activities. This record helps to
create a historical record of the presence of non-native plant species on the sites, which may
inform future restoration efforts. Beginning in 2017, PVPLC began using the GIS based
application, Survey 123, to track the TERPP sites. Using this application has assisted with
efficiency and accuracy in data collection and reporting.
Each TERPP site is tracked via GIS, a tool that aids planning and monitoring efforts. PVPLC has
treated 1130 individual TERPP sites since 2006. As Euphorbia terracina is a high priority invasive
and may take multiple treatments to control, these populations are treated in numerous years.
In 2020, invasive species focus was centered on the large perennial, Acacia (Acacia cyclops) with
6 removals sites which totaled approximately 14 acres as well as mowing of 10.8 acres of
mustard at 3 sites.
3.0 FIELD METHODS
PVPLC staff uses best practice, the most effective and least intrusive, methods at all times
when conducting TERPP-related activities. High priority areas may occur near rare or
endangered biological populations. Care is taken to minimize soil erosion, fire risk, disturbance
to surrounding native vegetation and further dispersal of the exotic species. PVPLC utilizes a
combination of methods to conduct exotic species removal, generally limited to the following:
• Mechanical removal - staff may use tools with motorized blades to fell larger species;
• Hand removal - staff conduct most removals by hand pulling and/or with small hand
tools for pruning and cutting;
• Chemical control - trained staff applies herbicides at the appropriate phase of
vegetative growth;
• Growth and seed maturation, and;
• Disposal - City of Rancho Palos Verdes staff coordinate with waste companies to supply
green waste and trash containers.
Qualified Licensed Applicator(s) develop all recommendations for chemical pest control and
senior staff supervises field staff and contractors in sensitive areas. Additionally, field staff has an
integral role in the TERPP and often have crucial, site-specific knowledge related to the sites.
4.0 2020 TREATMENTS
In 2020, PVPLC treated 6 populations of Acacia which totaled approximately 14 acres and
mowed an additional 10.8 acres of mustard at 3 locations.
Appendix D – 3
Table 1. 2020 TERRP Sites and Treatment Description
Stand ID Reserve Name Stand Size
Number
Individu
als Treatment
Percent
Treated
PB_AcCy_14 Portuguese Bend Acacia cyclops >1000 ft²
4 acres 50-100 Tree Removal 75 -
100%
PB_AcCy_15 Portuguese Bend Acacia cyclops >1000 ft²
1.5 acres 50-100 Tree Removal 75 -
100%
PB_AcCy_16 Portuguese Bend Acacia cyclops >1000 ft²
2 acres 50-100 Tree Removal 75 -
100%
VB_AcCy_04 Vicente Bluffs Acacia cyclops >1000 ft²
4 acres 50-100 Tree Removal 75 -
100%
FO_AcCy_01 Forrestal Acacia cyclops >1000 ft²
1 acre 10-25 Tree Removal 75 -
100%
SR_AcCy_01 San Ramon Acacia cyclops >1000 ft²
1.5 acres 50-100 Tree Removal 75 -
100%
FI_BrNi_01 Filiorum Black Mustard >1000 ft²
4.2 acres 100+ Mowing 75 -
100%
TS_BrNi_01 Three Sisters Black Mustard
>1000 ft²
.8 acres
100+ Mowing 75 -
100%
SR_BrNi_02 San Ramon Black Mustard >1000 ft²
5.82 acres 100+ Mowing 75 -
100%
Appendix D – 4
5.0 REFERENCES
California Invasive Plant Council 2006. California Invasive Plant Inventory. February. California
Invasive Plant Council: Berkley, CA.
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy 2007a. 2007 Targeted Exotic Removal Plan for
Plants for the Portuguese Bend Nature Preserve For the Rancho Palos Verdes Draft
Natural Community Conservation Plan and Habitat Conservation Plan. April.
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy 2008. 2008 Annual Report for the Targeted Exotic
Removal Program for Plants for the Portuguese Bend Nature Preserve For the Rancho
Palos Verdes Draft Natural Community Conservation Plan and Habitat Conservation
Plan. September.
State of California 2007. Department of Food and Agriculture Division of Plant Health &
Prevention Services Noxious Weed Ratings. Retrieved September 2007, from:
<http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/ipc/encycloweedia/pdfs/noxiousweed_ratings.pdf>.
URS 2006. City of Rancho Palos Verdes Draft Natural Community Conservation Plan and
Habitat Conservation Plan. June 9.
Appendix D – 5
APPENDIX D1: SAMPLE TERPP FORM
Appendix D – 6
APPENDIX D 2 : FLOWCHART FOR HIGH PRIORITY THREAT TO
NATIVE VEGETATION
Priority Ranking For Control of Exotic Species
1-3= Low priority 4-7= Medium priority 8-10= High priority
High priority where exotic species poses
immediate threat
Eradication of exotic
species very possible
Suppression of exotic
species possible
Suppression of exotic
species unlikely
Exotic
Highly
Invasive
Exotic
Moderately
Invasive
Exotic
Highly
Invasive
Exotic
Moderately
Invasive
Exotic
Highly
Invasive
Exotic
Moderately
Invasive
Appendix D – 7
APPENDIX D 3 : FLOWCHART FOR MEDIUM PRIORITY DEGREE OF
THREAT TO NATIVE VEGETATION
Priority Ranking For Control of Exotic Species
1-3= Low priority 4-7= Medium priority 8-10= High priority
Medium priority where exotic species poses
threat within 1-2 years
Eradication of exotic
species very possible
Suppression of exotic
species possible
Suppression of exotic
species unlikely
Exotic
Highly
Invasive
Exotic
Moderately
Invasive
Exotic
Highly
Invasive
Exotic
Moderately
Invasive
Exotic
Highly
Invasive
Exotic
Moderately
Invasive
Appendix D – 8
APPENDIX D 4 : FLOWCHART FOR LOW PRIORITY DEGREE OF
THREAT TO NATIVE VEGETATION
Priority Ranking For Control of Exotic Species
1-3= Low priority 4-7= Medium priority 8-10= High priority
Low priority where exotic species does not
pose threat for at least 2 years
Eradication of exotic
species very possible
Suppression of exotic
species possible
Suppression of exotic
species unlikely
Exotic
Highly
Invasive
Exotic
Moderately
Invasive
Exotic
Highly
Invasive
Exotic
Moderately
Invasive
Exotic
Highly
Invasive
Exotic
Moderately
Invasive
Appendix D – 9
APPENDIX D 5 : HIGHLY INVASIVE SPECIES
Genus species Common name
Aegilops triuncialis Barbed goatgrass
Alternanthera philoxeroides Alligatorweed
Ammophila arenaria European beachgrass
Arundo donax Giant reed
Brassica tournefortii Sahara mustard
Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens Red brome
Bromus tectorum Cheatgrass
Carpobrotus edulis Highway iceplant
Carthamus lanatus Woolly starthistle
Centaurea solstitialis Yellow starthistle
Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos Spotted knapweed
Cortaderia jubata Jubatagrass
Cortaderia selloana Pampasgrass
Cytisus scoparius Scotch broom
Delairea odorata Cape-ivy
Egeria densa Brazilian egeria
Ehrharta calycina Purple veldtgrass
Eichhornia crassipes Water hyacinth
Elymus caput-medusae Medusahead
Euphorbia virgata Leafy spurge;
Genista monspessulana French broom
Appendix D – 10
Hedera canariensis Algerian ivy
Hedera helix English ivy
Hydrilla verticillata Hydrilla
Lepidium latifolium Perennial pepperweed
Limnobium spongia South American spongeplant
Ludwigia hexapetala Creeping waterprimrose
Ludwigia peploides Floating water primrose
Lythrum salicaria Purple loosestrife
Myriophyllum aquaticum Parrotfeather
Myriophyllum spicatum Spike watermilfoil
Onopordum acanthium Thistle
Rubus armeniacus Himalayan blackberry
Salvinia molesta Water fern
Sesbania punicea Scarlet wisteria
Spartina alterniflora x S. foliosa Smooth hybrid cordgrass
Spartina densiflora Dense-flowered cordgrass
Spartium junceum Spanish broom
Tamarix chinensis Chinese tamarisk, fivestamen tamarisk
Tamarix gallica French tamarisk
Tamarix parviflora Smallflower tamarisk
Tamarix ramosissima Tamarisk
Ulex europaeus Common gorse
Appendix D – 11
APPENDIX D 6 : MODERATELY INVASIVE SPECIES
Genus species Common Name
Acacia dealbata Silver wattle
Acroptilon repens Russian knapweed
Ageratina adenophora Sticky eupatorium
Ailanthus altissima Tree-of-heaven
Alhagi maurorum Camelthorn
Arctotheca calendula Fertile capeweed
Arctotheca prostrata Capeweed
Asparagus asparagoides Bridal creeper
Asphodelus fistulosus Onion weed
Atriplex semibaccata Australian saltbush
Avena barbata Slender oat
Avena fatua Wild oats
Brachypodium distachyon Annual false-brome
Brachypodium sylvaticum False-brome
Brassica nigra Black mustard
Bromus diandrus Ripgut brome
Carduus nutans Musk thistle
Carduus pycnocephalus Italian thistle
Carpobrotus chilensis Iceplant
Carrichtera annua Ward's weed
Centaurea calcitrapa Purple starthistle
Appendix D – 12
Centaurea diffusa Diffuse knapweed
Centaurea jacea ssp. pratensis Meadow knapweed
Centaurea melitensis Tocalote
Centaurea virgata var. squarrosa Squarrose knapweed
Chondrilla juncea Skeleton weed
Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. monilifera Boneseed
Cirsium arvense Canada thistle
Cirsium vulgare Bull thistle
Clematis vitalba Old man's beard
Colocasia esculenta Taro root
Conium maculatum Poison-hemlock
Cotoneaster franchetii Orange cotoneaster
Cotoneaster lacteus Milkflower cotoneaster
Cotoneaster pannosus Silverleaf cotoneaster
Cynara cardunculus Artichoke thistle
Cynodon dactylon Bermuda grass
Cynoglossum officinale Dog bur
Cynosurus echinatus Hedgehog dogtail
Cytisus striatus Portuguese broom
Dipsacus fullonum Common teasel
Dipsacus sativus Fullers teasel
Dittrichia graveolens Stinkwort
Ehrharta erecta Ehrharta
Appendix D – 13
Elaeagnus angustifolia Russian olive
Emex spinosa Devil's thorn
Fallopia japonica Japanese knotweed; Mexican bamboo
Fallopia sachalinensis Giant knotweed
Festuca arundinacea Kentucky fescue
Festuca myuros Rat-tail fescue
Festuca perennis Italian ryegrass
Ficus carica Edible fig
Foeniculum vulgare Fennel
Gazania linearis Gazania
Genista monosperma Bridal veil broom
Glyceria declinata Mannagrass
Halogeton glomeratus Halogeton
Hirschfeldia incana Short-pod mustard
Holcus lanatus Common velvet grass
Hordeum marinum Mediterranean barley
Hordeum murinum Foxtail
Hypericum canariense Canary Island St. Johnswort
Hypochaeris radicata Rough cat's-ear
Isatis tinctoria Dyer's woad
Lepidium chalepense Whiteweed
Lepidium draba Heart-podded hoary cress
Leucanthemum vulgare Ox-eye daisy
Appendix D – 14
Limonium duriusculum European sea lavendar
Linaria dalmatica ssp. dalmatica Dalmatian toadflax
Linaria vulgaris Yellow toadflax
Lythrum hyssopifolium Hyssop loosestrife
Mentha pulegium Pennyroyal
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Crystalline iceplant
Myoporum laetum False sandalwood
Nicotiana glauca Tree tobacco
Oxalis pes-caprae Bermuda buttercup
Pennisetum setaceum Purple fountain grass
Phalaris aquatica Harding grass
Potamogeton crispus Curly-leaved pondweed
Rumex acetosella Sheep sorrel
Saccharum ravennae Ravennagrass
Salsola soda Glasswort
Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper tree
Senecio glomeratus Australian fireweed
Spartina anglica English cordgrass
Stipa capensis Cape ricegrass
Tanacetum vulgare Common tansy
Torilis arvensis Hedgeparsley
Triadica sebifera Chinese tallow tree
Vinca major Periwinkle
Appendix D – 15
Washingtonia robusta Mexican fan palm
Zostera japonica Dwarf eelgrass
Appendix D – 16
APPENDIX D 7 : WATCH LIST
Scientific Name Common Name
Acacia baileyana Cootamundra wattle
Acacia cyclops Cyclops acacia
Acacia latifolia
Sydney golden wattle
Acacia paradoxa Kangaroothorn
Acacia pycnantha Golden wattle
Acacia saligna
Orange wattle
Acaena novae-zelandiae Biddy-biddy
Aegilops cylindrica Jointed goatgrass
Alopecurus pratensis Meadow foxtail
Alyssum corsicum Yellowtuft
Alyssum murale Yellowtuft
Ambrosia trifida Giant ragweed
Araujia sericifera Bladderflower
Berberis darwinii Darwin barberry
Berteroa incana Hoary alyssum
Buddleja davidii Butterfly bush
Carex pendula Hanging sedge
Casuarina equisetifolia Beach sheoak
Catharanthus roseus Madagascar periwinkle
Cenchrus echinatus Southern sandbur
D21
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy – | Appendix D7: Watch List
Cenchrus longispinus Mat sandbur
Centaurea diluta Spotted knapweed
Cestrum parqui Willow jessamine
Chasmanthe floribunda African cornflag
Cytisus multiflorus White Spanish broom
Cytisus proliferus Tagasaste
Datura inoxia Pricklyburr
Dipogon lignosus Okie bean
Dipsacus laciniatus Cutleaf teasel
Dittrichia viscosa False yellowhead
Echium plantagineum Patterson's curse
Eucalyptus cladocalyx Sugargum
Euphorbia lathyris Caper spurge
Fallopia bohemica Bohemian knotweed
Galega officinalis Professorweed
Genista linifolia Mediterranean broom
Geranium lucidum Shining geranium
Grevillea robusta Silkoak
Gunnera tinctoria Chilean gunnera
Gypsophila paniculata Baby's breath
Helianthus tuberosus Jerusalem artichoke
Heliotropium amplexicaule Clasping heliotrope
Heracleum mantegazzianum Giant hogweed
D21
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy – | Appendix D7: Watch List
Hyparrhenia hirta Tambookie grass
Hypericum androsaemum Sweet-amber
Hypericum grandifolium Large-leaved hypericum
Ipomoea indica Blue morningglory
Kniphofia uvaria Redhot poker
Lantana camara Lantana
Lathyrus latifolius Perennial sweet pea
Leptospermum laevigatum Australian tea tree
Malephora crocea Coppery mesembryanthemum
Maytenus boaria Mayten
Myoporum laetum False sandalwood
Nardus stricta Matgrass
Nothoscordum gracile False garlic
Oncosiphon piluliferum Globe chamomile
Onopordum illyricum Illyerian thistle
Orobanche aegyptiaca Egyptian broomrape
Paraserianthes lophantha Plume acacia
Parthenium hysterophorus Santa Maria feverfew
Paspalum urvillei Vasey's grass
Paspalum vaginatum Seashore paspalum
Passiflora tarminiana Banana passionfruit
Peganum harmala African-rue
Pennisetum villosum Feathertop
D21
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy – | Appendix D7: Watch List
Persicaria wallichii Himalayan knotweed
Pittosporum undulatum Victorian box
Plecostachys serpyllifolia Petite-licorice
Polygala myrtifolia Myrtle-leaf milkwort
Pyrus calleryana Callery pear
Rhamnus alaternus Italian buckthorn
Romulea rosea var. australis Rosy sandcrocus
Rytidosperma caespitosum Wallabygrass
Salpichroa origanifolia Lily of the valley vine
Salsola ryanii Ryan's Russian thistle
Scabiosa atropurpurea Pincushion flower
Scolymus hispanicus Goldenthistle
Senecio linearifolius Fireweed groundsel
Solanum aviculare New Zealand nightshade
Solanum carolinense Carolina horsenettle
Sphaerophysa salsula Alkali swainsonpea
Stipa brachychaeta Punagrass
Stipa tenuissima Mexican feathergrass
Thinopyrum junceiforme Russian wheatgrass
Ventenata dubia North Africa grass
Verbena bonariensis Tall vervain
Zygophyllum fabago Syrian beancaper
Appendix D – 15
APPENDIX D8
2020 TARGETED EXOTIC REMOVAL
PROGRAM FOR PLANTS (TERPP)
PHOTOS and Maps
PB_AcCy_14
Appendix D – 16
Appendix D – 17
PB_AcCy_15
Appendix D – 18
Appendix D – 19
PB_AcCy_16
Appendix D – 20
Appendix D – 21
VB_AcCy_04
Appendix D – 22
Appendix D – 23
Appendix D – 24
FO_AcCy_01
Appendix D – 25
Appendix D – 26
SR_AcCy_01
Appendix D – 27
Appendix D – 28
Appendix D – 29
Appendix D – 30
FI_BrNi_01
Appendix D – 31
TS_BrNi_01
Appendix D – 32
SR_BrNi_02
APPENDIX E
COMMUNITY SCIENCE AND
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Appendix E – 1
1.0 INTRODUCTION
PVPLC implements an integrated approach to stewardship by involving students and
community volunteers in programs that addresses specific conservation issues related to the
management of the Palos Verdes Native Preserve. In 2020, high school and university students
as well as community members participated in research that not only satisfied their
educational and/or personal goals, but also contributed to informing PVPLC land management
activities. The Community Science Program, initiated in fall 2013, has brought volunteers to
PVPLC for focused studies in the preserves. Community Science projects completed in 2020
include the Cactus Wren Monitoring Program and the Wildlife Tracking Program.
University professors are crucial for the success of research, as they provide expertise and
technical guidance in managing several research projects. Land Conservancy staff provides access
to the preserve as well as technical support and local knowledge to participants.
This report covers the Research and Education Program’s activities via the major categories:
• High School Research
• University Researchers
• Non-student Research conducted
• Community Science Programs
2.0 HIGH SCHOOL RESEARCH
High school students are important to PVPLC’s field research. By participating in PVPLC’s
research program with professionals and university researchers, high school students obtain field
and analytical skills in the natural science fields. Additionally, students increase their appreciation
of nature while expanding their awareness of opportunities that the natural science fields have to
offer. As a result, PVPLC students often win honors in science fairs and are able to leverage their
experience for gaining entrance into top universities, satisfying course credits, or obtaining paid
internships.
Table 1. 2020 High School research conducted
Student Project Title Academic Institution
Aurora Khatibi
Garrity
The Effects of COVID-19 on Native Habitat
Restoration by Volunteers
PV High School
Appendix E – 2
3.0 UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
College students from local universities participate in research under the umbrella of the
Conservancy’s Intern and Community Science programs (Table. 1). Students participate in
activities integral to land management and conservation, which provides the students valuable
hands-on experience. PVPLC’s stewardship staff conducts a variety of surveys throughout the
preserves for assessing habitat quality as well as documenting the progress of our restoration
efforts.
In addition to gaining work experience, many students leverage their internships for entrance
into a professional job or graduate school. While the Conservancy benefits from their work, the
students benefit from experience and training that will benefit them in future careers.
3.0 NON-STUDENT RESEARCH CONDUCTED
The Land Conservancy facilitates non-student research as much as possible, including creating
our own research studies to assist in our management goals. These projects are managed by staff
and largely done by Land Conservancy interns.
Table 2. 2020 Collegiate research conducted
Student Project Title Academic Institution
CSULB GIS
Cohort
Fire probability model using drones to high
spectral imagery
CSU Long Beach
Sarah Hood A Genomic Survey of Sedentary Allen’s
Hummingbirds in Southern California
San Diego State University
Breanna Stoll Metamorphosis: Evolving Relationships in
Humans + Nature
Colorado State University
College of Agriculture
Table 3. 2020 Non-student research conducted or facilitated
Researcher Project Title Academic Institution
Elizabeth Ryan Landscape genetics of California poppy and
adaptability to climate change
UC San Diego
Cooper
Powers
(PVPLC Intern)
PVB Host plant Phenology long term study PVPLC
USGS Regional California Gnatcatcher Monitoring USGS
Appendix E – 3
4 .0 COMMUNITY SCIENCE PROGRAMS
Volunteers are important for PVPLC, not only
helping with growing plants, habitat restoration,
guiding walks, and special events, but also with
science research and education. Our volunteers
travel from throughout the Peninsula and
surrounding areas to help out.
The Community Science program blossomed in 2013
with the initiation of the Cactus Wren Program along
with the ongoing Wildlife Tracking Program. The
initial Cactus Wren Program resulted in detailed
analysis of how the birds utilize mature cactus scrub
habitat and newly-restored habitat at Alta Vicente
Reserve. In addition, the volunteers were able to
obtain detailed documentation of a single pair of cactus wrens as the wrens built a nest, incubated
eggs, and successfully fledged three chicks. Monitoring work in 2020 focused on cactus wren
occupancy of specific delineated cactus patches within the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve. This
information described varying levels of cactus wren occupancy across the Preserve and made
possible the inference of breeding activity based on a number of criteria. Results can be found in
the attached Cactus Wren Monitoring report.
The 2020 Wildlife Tracking Program started in the fall of 2020, beginning with training the
volunteers for tracking coyotes, red fox, and gray fox, among many other species in the Preserve.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, this training occurred via Zoom. Further training and practice were
available for volunteer throughout the program duration. Once volunteers were confident in
identifying tracks and scat of a particular species, they individually conducted regular surveys along
specific routes. The data were submitted to the Conservancy for use in its management using a
program called Survey123 for ArcGIS allowing for more efficient data analysis and reporting. A
map was also created to illustrate the location of scat or track observations, results can be found
in the attached wildlife tracking report.
Motion-sensor cameras were captured both images and video of wild canid species. High quality
videos allowed for the identification of individual coyotes providing insight into wildlife
population’s dynamics and movement throughout the Preserve. With a donation of four cameras,
and the associated equipment, the Land Conservancy was able to increase the reach of the wildlife
camera program. A team of interns were recruited to implement and manage these camera traps
and organize and analyze the resulting data. This program is ongoing and results will be shared in
the 2021 annual report.
Volunteers learn the basics of cactus wren
observations before starting the first
Community Science Cactus Wren monitoring
season
2020 Citizen Science Cactus Wren Monitoring Report – 1
PO Box 3472
Palos Verdes Peninsula
California, 90724
T 310-541-7613
F 310-541-7623
www.pvplc.org
Coastal Cactus Wren
(Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus)
Community Science Monitoring
2020
Report by: Austin Parker.
PVPLC Community Science Volunteers:
2020 Citizen Science Cactus Wren Monitoring Report – 2
INTRODUCTION
The coastal cactus wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) (CACW) on the Palos Verdes Peninsula is a
special status species that lives exclusively in coastal sage scrub habitat areas. They prefer areas of at
least one acre in size containing 30% prickly pear cactus (Opuntia spp.) and large specimens of coastal
cholla (Cylindropuntia prolifera). Habitat preferences for nesting are strict, with nesting substrate almost
entirely restricted to prickly pear and cholla (Rea and Weaver 1990). Ninety percent of their foraging
time is spent on the ground, feeding on insects year-round, and feeding on fruit and plants during cooler
months. Adult birds are highly sedentary and tend to return to the same breeding territory each year. In
a 1993-1997 study on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, ornithologist Jon Atwood found that 65% of the
juveniles dispersed less than one kilometer from their natal territory (Atwood 1998). The wren’s natural
tendency to stay close to its natal territory and not move great distances underscores the importance of
having quality habitat throughout the preserves
Following the formal establishment of the Community Science Cactus Wren Program in 2014, volunteer
work focused on assessing how CACW utilize their habitat. The goal was to obtain data that would
inform the Conservancy how to better manage cactus habitat for the bird and to build new habitat.
Those years were quite successful in meeting that goal, as we now have a better understanding of how
close the wrens stay to their habitat and how much they explore developing habitat (infrequently, unless
they are feeding growing chicks and need to expand their forage area).
Despite the ability of previous surveys to identify the CACW behavior relating to dispersal, locating
areas of CACW inhabitance has proven challenging. As shown by biologist Dan Cooper, who conducted
comprehensive triennial cactus wren surveys in 2009, 2012, 2015 and 2018, the numbers of CACW has
varied over time, counting the same number of territories in 2009 and 2015 (25) and more counted in
2012 (48) and a precipitous decrease in 2018 (5). (Cooper Ecological Monitoring 2018) Because of the
triennial frequency of the surveys, it is difficult to determine whether or not these trends are true or an
artifact of sampling.
Participants in the Community Science Cactus Wren Program can help answer the question: Where are
cactus wrens found in the preserves year-to-year? To address this question, teams of volunteers
regularly hike the trails, noting when CACW are heard and/or seen, beginning in April and continuing
through July. This period coincides with the more active period for the wrens when they are nesting and
caring for newly fledged chicks, as they are more inconspicuous in the non-breeding season. These
repeated visits provide data that indicates where birds are likely to be, and the variation of their
distribution year-to-year to augment the triennial surveys conducted by the Conservancy’s biologist.
METHODS
Study Area:
The study area was within eight reserves (Abalone Cove, Alta Vicente, Filiorum, Forrestal, Ocean Trails,
Portuguese Bend, San Ramon, and Three Sisters) of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve located in the
city of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. The reserves surveyed were those which had been documented to
support CACW activity or extensive patches of prickly pear (Opuntia littoralis and O. oricola) and coastal
cholla (Cylindropuntia prolifera) (Cooper Ecological Monitoring 2013).
2020 Citizen Science Cactus Wren Monitoring Report – 3
Data Collection:
Volunteers for the Community Science Program met prior to the start of the monitoring season to
learn how to identify CACW in their habitat, how to record field observations on the mobile app
Survey123. The use of this app was new to the program in 2020. This app streamlines the data
collection, analysis and organization process and allows for real time QA/QC by PVPLC. If any nests
were found, the volunteers were asked to estimate the location on a map and send it to the PVPLC
Biologist to digitize either via ArcGIS Collector in the field or ArcGIS Pro. If necessary, teams were
formed for the monitoring season, pairing more experienced volunteers with those having little or no
birding experience. The volunteers then took to the field outfitted with binoculars, a spotting scope, or
cameras equipped with telephoto lenses.
The volunteers conduct at least two surveys for each month of the survey period (April through July).
Volunteers walked their predetermined trail route documenting visual or audial observations of CACW.
This information was recorded on field data sheets. Additionally, weather and wind observations were
included because the birds’ presence is impacted unduly by weather. No surveys were conducted during
rainy days and high winds greater than 19 mph (30 km/hr). Surveys were typically conducted during late
morning. All electronic field observations were archived in the Conservancy’s database, and maps
depicting wren inhabitance were archived in PDF format on the Conservancy’s server.
Data Analysis:
Collected data were analyzed on the basis of four criteria that describe the level of CACW inhabitance
specific to each cactus patches surveyed. These criteria allowed each cactus patch to receive a rating
category reflecting the level of CACW inhabitance observed. These ratings assist in the interpretation of
survey data and specifically allow for the inference, in general terms, of potential CACW behavior,
habitat quality, and other factors relative to inhabitance. Categorization is also helpful in providing a
Figure 1. Study area within the Palos Verdes Peninsula Nature Preserve.
2020 Citizen Science Cactus Wren Monitoring Report – 4
scale of inhabitance for each cactus patch that can be mapped. Subsequent ratings associated with each
patch were mapped using ArcGIS Software which allowed for a color gradient to describe the various
inhabitance ratings throughout the surveyed reserves as well as a map depicting the highest rating found
within each reserve (Appendix A).
Inhabitance Rating Categories
Categories were developed to assist in the interpretation of survey data and to infer in general terms
potential CACW behavior, habitat quality, and other factors related to CACW inhabitance. This
categorization is also helpful in providing a scale of inhabitance that can be mapped such that different
levels of inhabitance may be compared to each other. Categorical ratings based on four descriptors
were extracted from the data:
Inhabitance Descriptors (4):
1) Observation Rate
# of visits with a CACW observation / total number of visits
2) Multiple Month Observation
Sighting of a CACW in more than one month of the survey period
3) Multiple CACW Observation
Sighting of multiple CACWs during a single survey or site visit.
4) Nest
Sighting of a nest that appears to have been used by CACW within the survey period.
Inhabitance Rating Categories (5):
RARE
Indicates rare habitation of a cactus patch, which is defined by an observation rate below 25% and a lack
of any additional inhabitance descriptor. Rare habitation is expected to include behaviors associated with
short term inhabitance such as foraging or dispersal and suggests a lack of nesting. A patch categorized
as “rare” may also indicate poor habitat quality or the presence of residence inhibiting factors (i.e.
competition, predation, or disturbance).
OCCASIONAL
Indicates occasional habitation of a cactus patch, which is defined as an observation rate below 25% and
having one or more additional inhabitance descriptors associated with that patch. Occasional habitation
is expected to include behaviors associated with short term inhabitance (i.e. foraging or dispersal) and
suggests a lack of nesting. A patch categorized as “occasional” may also indicate poor habitat quality or
the presence of residence-inhibiting factors.
PERIODIC
Indicates periodic habitation of a cactus patch, which is described by an observation rate of 26-50% and
one or more additional inhabitance descriptors. Periodic habitation is expected to include behaviors
such as repeated visitation for foraging and/or dispersal. This rating could be considered a weak
indicator of nesting. A patch categorized as “periodic” may also indicate higher quality habitat and a
2020 Citizen Science Cactus Wren Monitoring Report – 5
decrease in residence inhibiting factors in compared to un-ranked or patches ranked patches or those
ranked as “rare” or “occasional”.
REGULAR
Indicates regular habitation of a cactus patch, which is defined as an observation rate of 50-75% and at
least two additional inhabitance descriptors. A patch categorized as “regular” may indicate CACW
nesting, high quality habitat, and a lack of residence-inhibiting factors.
CONSISTENT
Indicates consistent habitation of a cactus patch, which is defined as an observation rate of 75-100% and
at least two additional inhabitance descriptors. A patch categorized as “consistent” may be a strong
indicator of CACW nesting, high quality habitat, and a lack of residence-inhibiting factors.
RESULTS
Table 1. Inhabitance criteria and rating of cactus patches where CACW were observed in 2020.
Green rows indicate the high likelihood of cactus wren breeding within associated cactus patch.
Reserve Cactus Patch ID Total # of Surveys
Surveys w/ CACW
Observations
Observation Rate*
(%)
Multiple CACW
Observation
Multiple Month
Observation CACW Nest Inhabitance Rating
Alta Vicente AV2 29 21 72 x x x Regular
Alta Vicente AV3 29 7 24 x Occasional
Alta Vicente AV7 29 1 3 Rare
Alta Vicente AV9 29 5 17 Rare
Filiorum Fi1 15 12 80 x x x Consistent
Filiorum Fi3 15 1 7 Rare
Filiorum Fi4 15 10 67 x x x Regular
Filiorum Fi5 15 1 7 Rare
Ocean Trails OT2 13 1 8 Rare
Ocean Trails OT8 17 5 30 x x x Periodic
Ocean Trails OT11 17 6 35 x x x Periodic
Portuguese Bend PB1 9 1 11 Rare
Portuguese Bend PB5 9 2 22 Rare
Portuguese Bend PB7 9 3 33 Occasional
Portuguese Bend OP1 9 2 22 x x Occasional
Three Sisters TS1 7 2 29 Occasional
Three Sisters TS2 7 1 14 Rare
Three Sisters TS7 7 3 43 x x x Periodic
Three Sisters TS8 7 7 100 x x Consistent
Three Sisters TS9 7 2 29 x x Periodic
Three Sisters TS10 7 1 14 x Occasional
2020 Citizen Science Cactus Wren Monitoring Report – 6
DISCUSSION
Over the last decade the cactus wren population of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve have been
experiencing a decline in observed territorial breeding behavior with similar declines being expected in
their actual population size.
The 2020 breeding season for cactus wren was monitored the Community Science Cactus Wren
Monitoring Program coordinated by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy. The cactus wren
were found in fewer reserves and in lower abundance within each reserve since monitoring began in
2006. In recent years the volunteer program also noted a reduced number of cactus wren breeding
territories as well as overall observations of the species. In 2020, we saw a slight increase in
observations as well as potential breeding territories. The “core” areas were occupied by CACW in
2020 but Portuguese Bend also saw some Rare and Occasional rated territories for the first time in
years.
The cactus wren was exclusively found in reserves providing the highest quality habitat with large
expanses of cactus (Opuntia littoralis, O. oricola, and Cylindropuntoa prolifera) and specifically mature cactus
plants. These locations, Alta Vicente, Filiorum, Three Sisters and Ocean Trails are considered “core
habitat” or locations of central importance to cactus wren breeding in previous years. Species
retractions back to core habitat often signals a population under stress. The observed cactus wren
absence of previously occupied marginal habitat areas, such as Forrestal, and San Ramon reserves, and
exclusive use of core habitat areas may signal the presence of highly stressful conditions under which
persistence and successful breeding is difficult.
Several causes of cactus wren decline have been identified as potential and likely drivers of declining
regional presence and nesting success of cactus wren. These include: invasion by non-native plant
species, heightened predation pressure in urban areas, unfavorable weather conditions (drought,
seasonal shifts in rainfall, and cool early spring temperatures), and human disturbance. This program has
found evidence to support each of these factors as present in the Preserve. It is expected that these
issues are working synergistically creating a complex set of overlapping challenges.
Although 2020 saw an increase in breeding activity and observations, these challenges still exist and
management efforts will still be necessary to ensure the validity of the CACW in the Palos Verdes
Peninsula. In 2019 and 2020 the conservancy worked on opening up the vegetation around core habitat
areas and previously inhabited patches to enhance the existing core populations and avoid a further
decline in population.
To meet or mitigate challenges faced by cactus wren in the preserve, conservancy staff has determined
several management activities to improve the viability of the PV cactus wren population.
Recommended activities include:
•Continued removal of invasive non-native plants from cactus rich areas
•Continued installation of new cactus plantings
•Continued creation of foraging habitat (bare ground) surrounding cactus patches
•Possible implementation of nesting boxes
2020 Citizen Science Cactus Wren Monitoring Report – 7
LITERATURE CITED
Atwood, J.L. 1998. “Studies of California gnatcatchers and cactus wrens in southern California.”
Monument Center for Conservation Sciences and the University of California Irvine.
Cooper Ecological Monitoring, Inc. (“CEM”) 2013. Palos Verdes Nature Preserve survey for the
California gnatcatcher and the cactus wren (2012), Palos Verdes Peninsula Land
Conservancy, Los Angeles County. Final report to the PVPLC. January 3, 2013.
Cooper Ecological Monitoring, Inc. (“CEM”) 2018. Palos Verdes Nature Preserve survey for the
California gnatcatcher and the cactus wren (2018), Palos Verdes Peninsula Land
Conservancy, Los Angeles County. Final report to the PVPLC. August 9th, 2018.
http://www.laalmanac.com/weather/we10a.php
Rea, A. M. and K. Weaver. 1990. “The taxonomy, distribution, and status of coastal California Cactus
Wrens.” Western Birds 21: 81-126.
2020 Citizen Science Cactus Wren Monitoring Report – 8
APPENDIX A
Mapped results of cactus inhabitance per catus patch surveyed.
0 0.45 0.90.225 Miles´
AC2
AC6
AC3
AC1
AC4
AC5
AC7
Port of Long Beach, USDA FSA, GeoEye, Maxar, CNES/Airbus DS
2020 Cactus Patch Ranking
Occupancy Score
None
Rare
Occasional
Periodic
Regular
Consistent
Preserve Boundary
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
Community Science Cactus Wren Monitoring - Abalone Cove Reserve
0 0.45 0.90.225 Miles´
AV2
AV6
AV5
AV7
AV3
AV9
AV8
AV4
AV1
Port of Long Beach, USDA FSA, GeoEye, Maxar, CNES/Airbus DS
2020 Cactus Patch Ranking
Occupancy Score
None
Rare
Occasional
Periodic
Regular
Consistent
Preserve Boundary
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
Community Science Cactus Wren Monitoring - Alta Vicente Reserve
0 0.45 0.90.225 Miles´
SR1
OT9
OT8
OT7
OT10
OT1
OT12
OT13
OT14
OT11
OP3
OT2
OT15
OT5
OT3
OT6
OT4
Port of Long Beach, GeoEye, Maxar, Microsoft, CNES/Airbus DS
2020 Cactus Patch Ranking
Occupancy Score
None
Rare
Occasional
Periodic
Regular
Consistent
Preserve Boundary
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
Community Science Cactus Wren Monitoring - Portuguese Bend Reserve
0 0.45 0.90.225 Miles´
P4
PB5
OP1
P3
PB7
PB8
Port of Long Beach, GeoEye, Maxar, Microsoft, CNES/Airbus DS
2020 Cactus Patch Ranking
Occupancy Score
None
Rare
Occasional
Periodic
Regular
Consistent
Preserve Boundary
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
Community Science Cactus Wren Monitoring - Portuguese Bend Reserve
0 0.45 0.90.225 Miles´
FI4
PB1
FI1
TS8
P4
FI2TS9
SR1
TS7
FO1
TS2
FI5FI3TS1
TS5
P2
AV2 FO6
PB5
TS4
OP1
FO3
AV6
OT9
P3
PB7
AV5
OT8
OT1
OT7
TS3
AV7
TS6
AV3
OT10
OT13
OT14
AV9
FO7
FI7
OT2
OT15
AV1
OT5
OP2
PB8
AC2
FO2
AC6
AC3
AV4
AC1
FO8
OT3
FO4FO5
OT6
FI6
AC4
AC7
OT4
Port of Long Beach, USDA FSA, GeoEye, Maxar, CNES/Airbus DS
2020 Cactus Patch Ranking
Occupancy Score
None
Rare
Occasional
Periodic
Regular
Consistent
Preserve Boundary
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
Community Science Cactus Wren Monitoring - Palos Verdes Nature Reserve
0 0.45 0.90.225 Miles´
FI4
FI1
TS8 FI2
TS9
TS7
TS2
FI5
FI3
TS1
TS5
TS10
TS4
TS3
TS6
FI6
Port of Long Beach, GeoEye, Maxar, Microsoft, CNES/Airbus DS
2020 Cactus Patch Ranking
Occupancy Score
None
Rare
Occasional
Periodic
Regular
Consistent
Preserve Boundary
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
Community Science Cactus Wren Monitoring - Filiorum and Three Sisters Reserves
2020-2021 Community Science Wildlife Monitoring Report – 1
Wildlife Tracking
Community Science Monitoring
2020-2021
2020-2021 Community Science Wildlife Monitoring Report – 2
INTRODUCTION
Top predators are an important ecological component of natural ecosystems. In the Palos Verdes
Nature Preserve Coyotes are apex predators, where they control the population of several food web
members. The regulation of intermediate predators is important to maintaining healthy populations of
other wildlife species including protected songbirds such as the California gnatcatcher Polioptila californica
californica (FT). The Rancho Palos Verdes Natural Communities Conservation Plan describes the need
for collecting new biological data on wildlife movements and the importance of monitoring predator
presence within the reserve.
The Community Science Wildlife Tracking program is a monitoring project that surveys the Preserve for
the presence of coyotes and other species. Volunteer participants walk trail segments in search of tracks
or scat which are mapped and photographed. Results of this survey are compiled to create maps of
areas used by coyotes and foxes within each reserve. Mapped observations of track and scat work to
describe locations of high and low coyote and fox activity.
The wildlife camera project was designed to complement the Community Science Wildlife Tracking
Program and further investigate findings of the Tracking Program such as areas of exclusion or territorial
boundaries. Results will be presented in the 2021 wildlife tracking report.
METHODS
Study Area:
The study area was within 5 reserves (Abalone Cove, Alta Vicente, Filiorum, Forrestal, Portuguese
Bend, Vicente Bluffs) of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Nature Preserve located in the cities of Palos Verdes
and Rolling Hills, CA. Two reserves outside of the PVNP were also surveyed.
Figure 1. Wildlife Tracking Study Area Map
2020-2021 Community Science Wildlife Monitoring Report – 3
Data Collection:
The monitoring is conducted when the animals are most active, November through March by walking
along specific trail routes in the preserves. While walking along marked trails, surveyors search for
evidence of coyotes, gray fox, and red fox which is usually in the form of scat or track imprints. This
year the Land Conservancy started tracking all species observed. Scat is the most frequent observation
made, with tracks a distant second. When tracks are found, the length and width of the track is
observed and a ruler or other size reference is placed in the photo of the track or scat.
Training is required for participants to develop the necessary skills for optimal accuracy in identifying
scat and tracks. At minimum, initial training requires three 2-3 hour sessions, which are conducted on
Saturdays in October. Additionally Community Science participants are encouraged to accompany
advanced trackers to enhance their skills. Photographs of observations are an important tool for
confirming the accuracy of observations. The Conservancy provides additional support as needed to the
wildlife tracking volunteers. This year, due to Covid-19 training was reduced to one Zoom meeting
where the principles of tracking were taught and volunteers were allowed to ask questions and engage
in discussion. Follow up training sessions via zoom and in small groups in the field were also offered to
create confidence in the volunteers and in the tracking observations.
Recorded data are submitted electronically to the Conservancy using a mobile app called Survey123.
This app streamlines the data collection and submission process by allowing all volunteers to save
observations on their phones, including photos, notes, and geolocation. This data is then downloaded
into an Excel sheet and analyzed. The points recorded at each observation are downloaded as a
shapefile and mapped and analyzed using ArcGIS Pro.
As volunteers record observations throughout the season, they were able to write in the notes of the
survey their confidence in the species, if necessary. The Land Conservancy Biologist was able to confirm
or contest each observation, and ultimately update the observation data if necessary.
RESULTS
Table 1. Number of observations per reserve.
Survey Days Total Observations Coyotes Observations Coyote rate of Obs.Fox sp. Observations Fox Rate of Obs
Abalone Cove 16 161 18 1.125 1 0.05
Alta Vicente 12 56 18 1.5 15 1.25
Linden H Chandler 21 65 63 3 1 0.047
Filiorum 24 274 161 6.7 12 0.5
Forrestal 33 485 225 6.8 65 1.97
GFC 20 88 19 0.95 14 0.7
Portuguese Bend 32 286 210 6.56 29 0.9
Vicente Bluffs 17 15 5 0.3 0 0
Total 175 1430 719 137
2020-2021 Community Science Wildlife Monitoring Report – 4
Figure 1. Coyote observations Heat Map
Figure 2. Coyote Observations Point map
2020-2021 Community Science Wildlife Monitoring Report – 5
Figure 3. Canid species observations heat map
Figure 4. Fox Sp. observations heat map
2020-2021 Community Science Wildlife Monitoring Report – 6
The 2020-21 wildlife tracking survey identified a total of 856 wild canid observations in the survey area.
Coyote observations were the most common found with 719 scat and tracks being identified, while the
Fox, both species, tracks and scat were totaled at 137. Coyote observations were found across all
reserves studied. The maps above, figures 1 and 2, show that the highest frequency of coyote
observations were in Filiorum(6.7 average observations per survey), Forrestal (6.8 average observations
per survey), and Portuguese bend (6.56 average observations per survey). Table 1 and Figure 4 show us
that, while much less frequent overall as compared to Coyotes, Fox species observations were most
frequent in Forrestal (1.97 average observations per survey) and Alta Vicente Reserves (1.25 average
observations per survey). Figure 3 shows the heat map of all fox species observations as well as coyote
observations.
Appendix A shows the locations and distribution of all species observed throughout the program.
DISCUSSION
The presence of canid predators within wildlife habitats has been documented as crucial to ensuring
healthy ecosystem function. In the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve the success of nesting songbirds,
namely the federally protected California gnatcatcher and state protected coastal cactus wren, can be
positively influenced by the presence of predators through their control of lower predator (i.e.: striped
skunk, raccoon, domestic cats, etc.) populations. The presence of coyotes is specifically indicated by the
Rancho Palos Verdes Natural Community Conservation Plan as an important ecological element
necessary for successful nesting conditions. Considering the presence of coyotes in these terms, the
broad range of the coyote observed within the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve indicates the existence of
an important meso-predator control dynamic.
The Land conservancy also undertook a wildlife camera remote monitoring project in the end of 2020.
The results of which will be recorded in the 2021 annual report.
2020-2021 Community Science Wildlife Monitoring Report – 7
Appendix A
All Species Point Map
2020-2021 Community Science Wildlife Monitoring Report – 8
Appendix 1-A. All Species Observations Point Map
APPENDIX F
TRAIL MANAGEMENT AND
SIGNAGE ACTIVITIES
2020 UNAUTHORIZED TRAIL
CLOSURES
Abalone Cove ReserveVicinity of Spur Trail Closures
Alta Vicente ReserveVicinity of Spur Trail Closures
FiliorumReserveVicinity of Spur Trail Closures
Forrestal ReserveVicinity of Spur Trail Closures
Portuguese Bend ReserveVicinity of Spur Trail Closures
San Ramon ReserveVicinity of Spur Trail Closures
Three Sisters ReserveVicinity of Spur Trail Closures
FUTURE TRAIL PROJECTS LIST
[Type here]
2021 Trail Projects List
The following is a list of trail projects planned for the year based on priority and funding opportunities. This list is
intended to outline project needs including trail repairs, spur trail closures and signage improvements but may be
amended as conditions may change. Projects not completed will carry over to the following year and projects may be
added to the list on an ongoing basis. In addition to the list below, smaller-scale projects including spur trail closures,
signage repairs, tread repairs, etc. may be accomplished by the Volunteer Trail Crew, PVPLC Staff or City of Rancho
Palos Verdes staff on an as-needed basis.
Priority Ranking:
The following projects are ranked low to high with consideration of impacts to habitat, user safety, severity of damage
and other issues. These rankings also take other considerations such as funding, feasibility, availability of staff or
volunteers to accomplish project, and other factors into account.
High = poses immediate safety concern, significant impact to habitat, trespassing, etc.
Medium = spur trails and erosion issues that affect trail quality, may cause user dissatisfaction, or mildly impact habitat
Low = spur trails and erosion issues that are minor and may not impact habitat, but may not meet user satisfaction
Reserve Name Trail Name Issues Priority
Abalone Cove
Smugglers Trail Spur trail Closures High
Cave Trail Trail erosion. Closed until fixed High
Olmstead Trail Spur leading to heritage castle High
Portuguese Bend Loop Trail Spur leading to Olmstead High
Sacred Cove (West to beach) Trail erosion. Closed until fixed High
Sea Dahlia Trail Erosion at stairs. Closed until fixed High
Olmstead Drainage needs improvement Low - ongoing
Agua Amarga
Lunada Canyon Trail Delineate single path Low – Ongoing
Alta Vicente
Prickly Pear Trail Spur trail closures High
Alta Vicente Trail Spur trail closures High
Filiorum
Ford Trail Spur trail closures High
Jack’s Hat Trail Maintain spur trail closure High
[Type here]
Eucalyptus Trail Spur trail closures Low
Gary’s Gulch Delineate single path and close spur trails Low - ongoing
Forrestal
Purple Sage Trail Spur trail closure High
Dauntless Trail Spur trail closure (upper section) and
repair trail erosion
High
Packsaddle Trail Spur trail closure Medium
Mariposa Trail Spur trail closure into quarry Medium
Cristo que Viento Trail Spur trail closure Low - ongoing
Cool Overlook Trail Spur trail closure Low - ongoing
Conqueror Trail Spur trail closure Low - ongoing
Quarry Trail Spur trail closure Low - ongoing
Vista Trail Spur trail closure Low - ongoing
Portuguese Bend
Burma Road Exposed bedrock spur leading to Klondike
Canyon Trail
High
Vanderlip Trail Spur trail that runs redundant to trail
through fuel modification zone
High
Burma Road Spur trail running from Burma Road lookout
to Kelvin Canyon Trail
High
Ishibashi Trail Evaluate measures to imprve user safety High
Peppertree Trail Erosion caused by seasonal rains. High
Sandbox Trail Erosion undercutting steps High
Ishibashi Trail Maintain spur trail closures and remove
embankments
Medium - ongoing
Rim Trail Consider reroute to reopen lower segment
of trail
Low
Barn Owl Trail Erosion. Need to improve draininage Low - ongoing
Fire Station Trail Maintain closure into private property Low - ongoing
San Ramon
Switchback trail Delineate single path High
Wanderer Trail West of trail. Network of illegal bike trails
needs to be closed
Medium
Three Sisters
Barkentine Trail Spur trail closure that leads to Filiorum High
[Type here]
Barkentine Trail Erosion. Need to improve drainage and
close spur trail between McCarrel Canyon
Trail
Medium
Sunshine Trail Spur trail closure Low – Ongoing
Vicente Bluffs
Seascape Trail Spur leading to beach High
Seascape Trail Spur leading to beach High
Toveemor Trail Close spur trail Low -- Ongoing
Vista del Norte
Vista Del Norte Trail Erosion from fuel mod and spur trail closure Medium
Indian Peak Trail Close spur trail Medium
PVNP SIGNAGE DESIGNS
APPENDIX G
Volunteer Program
2
1. INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY
1.1 Volunteer Programs
This report describes the components included within the larger Volunteer Program that serviced
the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve. Specific activities are detailed for the reporting period January
1, 2020 to December 31, 2020.
Since 1988, volunteers have played an essential role in fulfilling the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land
Conservancy’s (PVPLC) mission to preserve land and restore habitat for the education and
enjoyment of all. PVPLC is a non-profit organization that relies heavily on the support of community
involvement to perform many of the tasks necessary to manage the Nature Preserves. Volunteers
donate thousands of hours each year to help with office assistance, event planning, community
education, habitat restoration, trail maintenance, and much more. This report divides the various
volunteer programs into two categories: Community Involvement Volunteers and Stewardship
Volunteers.
The first category, Community Involvement Volunteers, supports volunteer activities that focus on
friend making, fundraising, and recommendations to staff on a variety of topics. This category is
further divided into four sections which are detailed within the report:
• Committees and Advisory Boards
• Special Events and Office Assistance
• Education Docents and Nature Walk Leaders
• Interns
The second category, Stewardship Volunteers, supports activities that are performed on the land to
assist with habitat management of the Preserve. In all, there are seven elements within this
category that are described in more detail in the Stewardship Volunteer section of this report. The
backbone of the program is our regularly scheduled Saturday Outdoor Volunteer Days that are
open to participation by all and require no long-term commitment. Periodically, there are also
individuals or groups that complete stewardship projects outside of the normally scheduled outdoor
events. Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts interested in obtaining their final awards are two such groups.
There are also several Stewardship Volunteer opportunities that require long term
commitments. The seven programs are listed below:
• Outdoor Volunteer Days
• Team Leaders
• Scout Projects
• Adopt-a-plot
• Trail Crew
3
•Volunteer Trail Watch
•Community Science
In 2020, volunteers provided a grand total of 12,391 hours of service to support conservation,
restoration and management of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve. According to the Independent
Sector, volunteer time in California is valued at $27.20 per hour (based on Dollar Value of a Volunteer
Hour, by State: 2020, Independent Sector), thus generating a total of $337,035.20 of in- kind services.
The amount of volunteer hours donated at each Nature Preserve or for a specific volunteer
category depends on the size of property or specific projects that transpired during the reporting
period. 2020 experienced social distancing rules to limit Covid-19 exposure. These social distancing
requirements limited certain volunteer programs and the amount of people that could participate. Total
volunteer hours saw a 46% decrease from 2019.
2.COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
2.1 Committees and Advisory Boards
PVPLC is driven and supported by a thirteen-member volunteer board, which meets on a regular
basis to strategize and direct the organization’s mission. The PVPLC maintains numerous committees
and advisory boards as well for the following purposes:
•To provide review and recommendations regarding organizational plans and policies
•To provide assistance with the operations of the organization
•To provide community input for PVPLC activities
•To provide a training and evaluation ground for potential members of the Board of Directors
This year, the Conservancy’s committees contributed 951 hours in serving the Land Conservancy’s
mission. Hours for committee-involved board members are compiled with their board volunteer
time. The committees that were active during the reporting period are listed below:
•Board of Directors
•Audit Committee
•Finance Committee
•Development Committee
•Investment Committee
•Special Events Committee(s)
2.2 Special Events and Office Assistance Volunteers
The PVPLC relies on individual volunteers and community groups, such as the National Charity
4
League (NCL) to assist PVPLC staff with all major fundraising and friend-raising events. We have
built very strong and fulfilling relationships with these groups and strive to provide an
environment that lets volunteers know they are indispensable and an integral part of our
organization. Special events supported by committees and volunteers this year such as Palos Verdes
Pastoral held at Terranea Resort.
2.3 Nature Walks
Nature Walk Leaders donated a total of 349 hours in 2020. PVPLC Board of Directors member
Allen Franz and volunteer, Cindy Akiyama co-coordinate this group of dedicated volunteers and each
prospective walk leader must have a high level of knowledge the local ecosystem, particularly the
native and non-native plants found on the Peninsula. Leaders must go through extensive training
and be willing to research and learn about local history, geology, flora and fauna. Continued
research and exploration serves to add to a walk leader’s knowledge base, preparing them to give
accurate and in-depth presentations to the public.
Walks are held all over the Peninsula, from the edge of the coast to deep within the canyons. Each
leader designs his or her presentation to include special attributes and stories particular to a site.
Nature walks occur once a month every month throughout the year, featuring a different location
every time. With the pandemic affecting group gatherings, nature walk opportunities were adapted
and many of the walks were held digitally.
2.4 Internships
Interns dedicate much of their volunteer time to helping the Land Conservancy’s mission to educate
and restore. In 2020, 35 interns dedicated a total of 1346 hours to various projects such as
educational outreach, field trips, weed mapping, native plant propagation, wildlife monitoring and
much more.
3. STEWARDSHIP VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers play an integral part in helping PVPLC staff exceed our goals for restoring land in the
Preserve. Outdoor volunteer days provide an opportunity for public volunteers to contribute to
habitat and trail restoration efforts. Team Leaders provide leadership on Saturday events, the Trail
Crew class volunteers build skills to maintain the trail system, and Volunteer Trail Watch reports
vandalism and trail maintenance needs. The Adopt-a-Plot program, Citizen Science wildlife
monitoring, scout projects, local environmental clubs and nursery volunteers are also
Stewardship volunteers that support Conservancy conservation efforts within the Palos Verdes
Nature Preserve, the native plant nursery and other management areas (PVNP and nursery are the
5
only metrics outlined for this report).
Palos Verdes Nature Preserve Stewardship volunteer highlights in 2020:
•12,391 hours of volunteer time, a decrease of 14,714 hours from 2019. (Continued volunteer work
is significant despite Covid-19 restriction)
•862 hours of volunteer Adopt-a-plot stewardship, an increase of 274 hours from 2019 (Volunteer
work has focused on this section as a safe alternative to public events during the pandemic)
•Volunteers planted over 700 plants to assist with critical habitat restoration projects such as
installing PVBB host plants and removing 21,000 invasive species.
•Hosted 1 organization, Memorial Care, at a special volunteer day to support the conservancy's
work restoring lands and maintaining public nature preserves(with Covid-19 safety protocols in
place)
•Trained 10 new VTW members and 12 new Trail Crew members
•Grant from Tyler Foundation to support skill-building internships to survey Reserves for invasive
species using Esri GIS software.
3.1 Outdoor Volunteer Days
The PVPLC holds outdoor volunteer days nearly every Saturday of the year, held from 9am-12pm,
excluding holiday weekends. The focus of these events is to restore native habitat, maintain the trail
system, and do general maintenance of lands. We engage and empower young people through these
programs to ensure education and stewardship on the Preserves in perpetuity. We work with local
schools and colleges to have teachers bring groups of students or give incentives such as extra
credit and service-learning hours for students who participate on the Saturday volunteer events.
Also included in this summary are events catered for special groups and corporations. Rapid
Response is an Outdoor Volunteer Opportunity held almost every Friday and Saturday from 9am to
12pm. During these events volunteers are invited to work alongside staff closing spur trails. Only 16
Rapid Response Volunteer Days (70 in 2019) were held in 2020 due to Covid-19 limited
opportunities. Any public events held after April 1st 2020 implemented safety protocols to protect all
participants from Covid-19. These protocols include: masks required for the duration of the event,
hand sanitizer and extra masks provided, social distancing of a minimum of 6 feet, and group sizes
limited to 10 people. Refer to Appendix F for maps of spur trail closures.
3.1.1 Native Plant Nursery
Activities in the Native Plant Nursery include transplanting seedlings from flats into individual
containers, removing weeds from the containers. On occasion, groups and scouts help maintain the
shade structure, build plant benches and repair the weed barrier cloth. Volunteers help at the
nursery during the week throughout the year. A total of 1028 volunteer hours were contributed
to nursery efforts in 2020.
6
3.2 Team Leader Program
The Team Leader program began in 2007 in response to the growing number of volunteers that
were attending the Outdoor Volunteer Days. Team Leaders are volunteers, sixteen years or
older, who assist in supervising the Saturday outdoor volunteer activities. They ensure that
volunteers have adequate instruction and the tools necessary to complete the task. They also assist
in educating the public about the PVPLC.
The program requires that interested volunteers go through an application and interview process.
Candidates then attend a half-day weekend workshop where they learn the skills necessary to
motivate and supervise volunteers during Saturday Outdoor Volunteer Days. Training involves
practicing leadership skills and communicating restoration techniques. Team Leaders commit to
working at least four volunteer days within one season or half-year.
The Team Leader Program has helped develop leadership skills in participants and has greatly
contributed to the success of our Outdoor Volunteer Days. The quality of work from regular
volunteers has increased with the guidance of Team Leaders. In addition to adult participants, many
of the Team Leaders attend local high schools and universities. During the reporting period, the
program has allowed these students to build leadership skills that they will find useful in their future
The goal of the PVPLC is to hold two Team Leader workshops each year and train a minimum of
six new Team Leaders at each one. With Covid-19 restrictions in place for most of 2020, the
team leader program was put on hold. It is expected to resume in 2021 as Covid-19
restrictions allow.
3.3 Scout Projects
The PVPLC encourages Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts who are looking for projects to complete their
final awards, Eagle Awards for Boy Scouts and Gold Awards for Girl Scouts, by providing them with
opportunities to complete their projects on preserves the PVPLC manages. This collaboration is
beneficial to the scout groups, the PVPLC, and the public that uses the preserves. Scouts work
under the mentorship of one of the PVPLC staff to complete their projects and are steered toward
objectives that meet the PVPLC stewardship goals. In 2020, 9 scout projects were completed,
including native plant nursery infrastructure improvements, habitat restoration, and trail projects.
3.4 Trail Crew Program
The Volunteer Trail Crew class offered is based on the Basic Trail Maintenance class developed by
Frank Padilla, Jr. (retired California State Parks Supervisor), and Kurt Loheit. Originally started in
1992, the class focused on both volunteer and agency skill building. Adopted by the Los Angeles
District of California State Parks and later the Southern California Trails Coalition, it became the first
step in advanced classes for crew leader training and design and construction classes, allowing a
structured path for participants to build skills associated with trails from basic maintenance to highly
advanced techniques. The class is a combination of classroom and hands-on training to familiarize the
7
participants in all aspects of trail maintenance. The course emphasizes safety, assessments, basic
maintenance skills, water control, erosion sources, terminology, proper tool use, basic survey
skills, resource considerations, and user experience and maintenance value. Volunteers who
demonstrate proficiency in each learned skill and fulfill a yearly indoctrination will maintain status as a
qualified Trail Crew member.
In 2020, the volunteer Trail Crew contributed a total of 175 hours to maintaining the Preserve’s trail
system. These hours include the second-Saturday monthly class trainings as described below, as well
as additional trail work, such as weed whacking or spur trail closures, executed by Trail Crew
members outside of the classes.
Participants must be at least 18 years old and must first take the introductory course. The 50-hour
course can be taken at the participant’s own pace and it is estimated to take about a year to
complete. There are scheduled Trail Crew Skills Classes that coordinate with the trail instructor’s
availability and the PVPLC Outdoor Volunteer Workday schedule.
Date # Volunteer
Hours
Location Project/Skill Learned
January 11 17 Filiorum Zote’s Cutacross grade dips and tread repair
February 9 19 PVPLC Office Trail Crew Introduction Class
March 14 23 Forrestal Grade dip installation and maintenance. Trail erosion
repaired
June 13 24 Abalone Cove Retaining wall installation. General tread maintenance.
July 18 24.5 San Ramon Retaining wall installation. General tread maintenance.
September 12 16 Forrestal Bridge maintenance and erosion repair
October 10 18 Filiorum &
Portuguese Bend Retaining wall installation and tread repair
October 12 14 Portuguese Bend
& Forrestal Water bar installation, rock stairs and brushing.
November 14 33 Portuguese Bend Installation of grade dips, a rock retaining wall, bench
cuts, tread repair, outsloping and brushing
Table 1. Trail Crew training classes
8
3.5 Volunteer Trail Watch Program
The mission of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve Volunteer Trail Watch Program is to serve as eyes
and ears of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes and the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy with a
view to 1) protect the natural resources of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve, including the flora and
fauna as well as the geology, topography and scenic landscape, and 2) enhance the safety of, and
promote an enjoyable experience for all Preserve visitors. The Volunteer Trail Watch Program was
initiated in 2013 to help educate trail users about appropriate trail use and monitor preserve misuse.
In 2020, volunteers dedicated 3895 hours to the program through training and field implementation
activities, and reporting observations through the web portal for record keeping. A large portion of
this year’s hours was contributed by the Volunteer Trail Watch co-coordinators, who dedicated
much of their time to training and coordinating the program’s volunteers in addition to their
time as VTW volunteers on the trails.
3.6 C ommunity Science
Volunteers help the PVPLC monitor wildlife on the Preserve in order to document populations and
their response to restoration efforts. Community Science volunteers contributed 821 hours to
documenting the behavior of cactus wrens and the evidence of mammalian populations like coyotes
and foxes through tracking efforts.
4. GRANTS SUPPORTING VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT
In 2020, a grant from Tyler Foundation supported skill building internships to survey the Palos
Verdes Nature Preserve for invasive species using Esri GIS Software.
APPENDIX H
Quarterly Enforcement
Reports and
Trail Counter Data
1
MEMORANDUM
Date: Monday, July 13, 2020
To: Katie Lozano, Senior Administrative Analyst/Open Space Manager
From: Senior Ranger Saldaña
SUBJECT: 2nd Quarter City of Rancho Palos Verdes Ranger Enforcement Report
PRESERVE VISITOR CONTACTS SUMMARY
•April 01, 2020- June 30, 2020
•4 Rangers* patrolled the Preserve during this period
*Approximately 130 hours per week.
This reporting period was an atypical quarter as operations were largely driven by public
health mandates from the State and LA County re garding the Covid-19 Pandemic and
also public safety needs related to public demonstrations near Preserve properties.
Ranger and OSM Staff adjusted continuously to carry out and respond to operational
needs during this time.
Operations Under Covid-19 LA County Health Department Regulations
Due to the COVID-19 response measures mandated by the Governor of the State of
California and the Los Angeles County Public Health Department, the City of Rancho
Palos Verdes closed its parks, open space areas and beaches March 19, 2020. The
Palos Verdes Nature Preserve opened in some capacity on May 13 th, with phased
openings to allow staff to conduct public safety inspections of the Preserve and trail
maintenance prior to full trails reopening. During the closure period, many trails had
substantial overgrowth and were unpassable. As of July 10th, all Preserve closures
associated with the COVID-19 closures were lifted. For approximately half of this
reporting period, the majority of Rangers and the City’s Open Space Management
(OSM) staff time was dedicated to keeping the Preserve closed to comply with state and
county orders.
The City reopened the Preserve and beaches in some capacity on May 13th. Rangers
and OSM staff, in coordination with PVPLC staff actively coordinated this reopening.
Rangers and OSM staff spent the first two weeks post-reopening proactively educating
visitors at trailheads on LA County Health mandates regarding trail use, including social
distancing, use of face coverings, and group size. Rangers also responded to many
calls for service and reports of patrons in non-compliance with these mandates. During
patrols, Rangers observed approximately 60% compliance, which was consistent with
trail manager observations across LA County. Reports for compliance from the public
was significantly lower than those observed by Rangers.
Rangers and OSM staff sit on the Los Angeles County Task Force, which is lead by Los
Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation in close coordination with the Los
2
Angeles County Health Department. Other task force members include the National
and State Park Services, Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority and trail
management agencies throughout Los Angeles County including Malibu, Los Angeles
City and many more. The goals of this Task Force are to disseminate LA County Health
Department orders to trail managers county-wide, trail manager coordination and
cooperative efforts, and for trail mangers to share what management practices and
public education efforts are most successful, and what challenges experienced.
Demonstrations
Rangers assisted LA County Sheriff’s Department during public demonstrations staged
near the Ocean Trails Reserve, Forrestal Reserve, and Alta Vicente Reserve on June
6th and 14th.
OVERALL VISITOR CONTACTS:
Total Contacts: 6151
Hikers: 5,441
Dog Walkers: 520
Cyclists: 164
Equestrians: 26
Preserve Information and Reporting Line Calls: 51
COVID-19 Related (including masks, social distancing, one-way signage): 15
Use of Spur Trail: 11
Vandalism: 2
Paragliding: 2
Maintenance: 5
Parking Issues: 2
Trail Status and General Information: 9
Off-Leash Dog: 1
Fishing / Poaching: 4
ENFORCEMENT SUMMARY:
Notice of Parking Citations Issued: 448 Total
By Violation:
Failure to Obey Signs – 160
Posted Temporary No Parking / Fire Lane - 11
Park by Permit – 245
Handicap Zone – 29
Other - 3
By Location:
Abalone Cove Reserve – 184
Alta Vicente Reserve - 1
3
Crenshaw Boulevard (Portuguese Bend / Filiorum adjacent) – 11
Del Cerro – 224
Seacove Neighborhood – 17
Seaview Neighborhood – 4
Ocean Trails Reserve – 4
Palos Verdes Drive South – 2
Vicente Bluffs Reserve – 1
Notice to Appear Citations Issued: 65 Total
By Violation:
Closed Area – 61
Protection of Flora / Fauna – 2
Dogs off Leash – 2
By Location:
Abalone Cove Reserve – 22
Agua Amarga Reserve – 1
Filiorum Reserve – 2
Forrestal Reserve – 6
Ocean Trails Reserve – 8
Portuguese Bend Reserve – 1
San Ramon Reserve – 1
Vicente Bluffs Reserve – 18
Miscellaneous Parks - 6
ACTIVITY REPORT BY RESERVE
The next section provides information by reserve including ranger public use
observations and public observations reported to rangers. Public contacts are the
collective sum of the interactions between rangers and Preserve users. Education
includes information given which is usually directional or interpretive. Warnings are
instances in which a ranger corrected Preserve misuse through voluntary compliance,
and enforcement refers to infraction citations or parking citations issued. Numbers do
not reflect actual number of individuals in the Reserve, rather public contacts made by
rangers to patrons while on foot and/or vehicle patrols.
Dogs off-leash and on the beach, as well as individuals off-trail or in closed areas
continue to be common violations observed by Rangers and reported by the public in
several Reserves. While not as common, Rangers also receive reports of smoking or
BBQs/bonfires in unauthorized areas. Rangers continuously watch for and correct
these violations.
4
Abalone Cove Reserve:
Public Contact Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 1,605 138 222 206
Dogs 106 48 1 0
Biker 10 2 2 0
Equestrian 0 0 0 0
Rangers educated and informed patrons of Reserve rules for various violations
observed, including dogs off leash, dogs on the beach, entering closed area, and
drones prohibited.
A large number of warnings issued were in regards to patrons observed at or near
Gorge 1, and Gorge 2. To deter patrons from accessing these areas, that are closed
due to falling rock potential, Rangers worked with the Public Works Department to
install a 4 ft. by 3 ft. “area closed” sign. Rangers continued to educate and enforce, as
necessary, patrons that proceeded into the closed area. See pictures below.
Rangers also responded to three separate reports of homeless individuals and/or
homeless encampments in Abalone Cove.
Additionally, upon reopening of Abalone Cove Reserve, Park, and Beach, under the
direction of County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health, the parking lot
remained at capacity, and closed due to full capacity an average of 10 times per
weekend day. OSM staff, with Ranger and LA County Deputy assistance, spent
significant resources on traffic control and parking lot management for traffic safety.
Staff educated patrons on alternative beach access points, and deterred vehicles from
parking illegally on Palos Verdes Drive South adjacent to Annie’s Stand, and from
dangerously blocking traffic on Palos Verdes Drive South while waiting for the parking
lot to reopen after its numerous closures. To help resolve traffic issues, the Public
Works Department painted the curb red in front of the parking lot turn-lane, where “no
stopping” signage already exists, and OSM staff placed stanchions to block the turn-
5
lane during closure. Ranger Fox can be seen in the images below educating patrons
about alternative parking locations to access beaches within the City.
Rangers responded to a report of a motorcyclist on Sacred Cove Beach. A violation of
City Municipal Code 12.16.020 “No Motor Vehicles.” Rangers attempted to make
contact with the individual, when he proceeded to thwart Rangers and drove up Sacred
Cove View Trail, as other patrons were on the narrow trail. This made for dangerous
and unsafe conditions for all. Rangers alerted the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s
Department for assistance, but we were unable to locate the individual.
Rangers have observed, and had several reports from the public of poaching from the
tidepools within the Marine Protected Area at Abalone Cove. This is a significant
increase in poaching. Rangers and OSM staff are working closely with the Department
of Fish and Wildlife Wardens and the Los Angeles Marine Protected Areas
Collaborative Team (LAMPACT) to correct violations and to educate visitors about
Abalone Cove’s no-take zone. Tools being engaged to correct this behavior are
additional enforcement presence from Fish and Wildlife Wardens and the LAMPACT.
Rangers are also working with these organizations on additional and more language
inclusive signage with less text and clear images in the area.
6
Rangers have additionally received reports of individuals off trail, and continue to
monitor for this unauthorized activity.
Agua Amarga Reserve Public Contact Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 17 3 5 1
Dog 2 0 0 0
Biker 0 0 0 0
Equestrian 0 0 0 0
During this quarter, few patrons were observed during patrols at Agua Amarga Reserve.
Most contacts were in regards to trail maintenance and fuel modification site visits. The
goats were used in May and June for fuel modification. Residents had reported night
use of Reserve at the beginning of the quarter, but no significant issues have arisen
since the Reserve remained closed.
Alta Vicente Reserve
Public Contact Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 35 2 5 1
Dog 5 0 0 0
Biker 0 0 0 0
Equestrian 0 0 0 0
Rangers educated drone operators at the helipad about Reserve closure related to
COVID-19. No significant issues were observed or reported.
Rangers received reports and warned a patron who claimed she was a volunteer
authorized to remove non-native vegetation along the southern section of the Reserve
adjacent to Palos Verdes Drive South.
7
Filiorum Reserve
Public Contact Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 18 1 3 2
Dog 5 1 0 0
Biker 2 2 0 0
Equestrian 6 4 2 0
Rangers witnessed and warned a patron who released 6 mice near Filiorum Reserve.
Mice had been captured from the patrons’ home, and were being released onto
adjacent open space. No other activity to report.
Forrestal Reserve
Public Contact Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 128 5 24 6
Dog 10 1 1 0
Biker 14 2 0 0
Equestrian 4 4 0 0
Forrestal Reserve reopened in May with one-way directional trails on Pirate, Flying
Mane, and Quarry Trails. These one-way directional trails were later removed, as more
trails within Forrestal and lower Portuguese Bend reopened, providing opportunity for
greater dispersal/social distancing. Rangers advised one patron of drone use at the cul-
de-sac of Forrestal Drive, and one patron for dog off -leash. All other verbal warnings
were related to visitors in areas closed due to state and county orders.
Ocean Trails Reserve
Public Contact Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 199 16 15 11
Dog 11 1 1 1
Biker 0 0 0 0
Equestrian 0 0 0 0
Multiple calls were received regarding dogs off leash and dogs in the beach at Ocean
Trails Reserve and Beach. Regular patrols were increased to address these calls.
On May 23rd, Rangers and OSM staff worked with Trump National Golf Course staff,
and the Los Angeles County Fire Department to locate an injured hiker on Dudleya
Trail. LA County Fire was unable to extract the injured hiker, and resorted to airlifting
her for medical attention.
8
Rangers received numerous reports of illegal paragliding activity in Ocean Trails
Reserve. Rangers patrolled area and OSM staff installed new area closure signage to
deter habitat trampling and unauthorized access. Appropriate signage referencing the
Municipal Code strengthens the the likelihood an infraction will be upheld in court.
Portuguese Bend Reserve
Public Contact Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 2,528 220 13 246
Dog 331 129 12 1
Biker 132 8 1 0
Equestrian 16 2 2 0
Rangers enforced closures and assisted with phased re-openings of trails within the
Portuguese Bend Reserve, with an emphasis on educating trail users on new trail
guidelines during COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike some Reserves which opened all trails
simultaneously, Portuguese Bend Reserve was opened in several stages to allow
necessary safety inspections and trail maintenance to take place.
Rangers responded to multiple reports of fireworks in the Reserve near the scenic
overlook on Burma Road Trail on June 7th at 7 p.m. Rangers were unable to locate
individuals, but did locate a “Billy Club” firework used and discarded on the high brush
of mustard.
Rangers spoke to a family seen walking out of Burma Road Trail onto Crenshaw Blvd.,
with a pile of cacti pads. Rangers educated patrons about Preserve rules, including
removal of flora per the City’s Municipal Code. They complied when asked for retrieval,
and Rangers were able to return pads to an existing cacti grove.
9
Rangers also received reports from the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy’s
Volunteer Trail watch (VTW) of unsafe mountain biking activity near Burma intersections
with Ishibashi and Barn Owl Trails as well as and E-bike use in Lower Portuguese Bend
Reserve. Rangers continuously monitor for this activity.
San Ramon Reserve
Public Contacts Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 56 17 38 1
Dog 0 0 0 0
Biker 0 0 0 0
Equestrian 0 0 0 0
Rangers received reports from the VTW of individuals smoking in the area, and focused
patrols watching for this activity, with no violations observed. Education contacts were
related to trail closure status, and goats and fuel modification activity. Verbal warnings
issued related to closure of trails, and vehicles parked in closed turnouts during the
mandated closure.
Three Sisters Reserve
Public Contacts Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 2 0 1 0
Dog 0 0 0 0
Biker 0 0 0 0
Equestrian 0 0 0 0
No significant issues to report.
Vicente Bluffs Reserve
Public Contacts Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 853 63 117 19
Dog 50 0 1 0
Biker 6 0 2 0
Equestrian 0 0 0 0
10
Rangers responded to multiple reports of people climbing over the fence near the
scenic lookout adjacent to the Calle Entradero parking lot. OSM staff assisted Rangers
in educating many individuals on public safety concerns regarding steep and unstable
cliffs and unauthorized spur trails.
On May 23rd, Rangers responded to a report of a large family gathering at the beach
below Vicente Bluffs. The family consisted of 17 individuals and 1 dog that had set up a
canopy and barbecue grill. Rangers were able to make contact with th e family and
informed them, per County Health Department orders only passive use of beaches was
permitted at the time. Additionally, Rangers confirmed the family had used an illegal
spur trail to access the beach. A verbal warning was issued, as the family was
compliant and proceeded to pack up and hauled out all of their trash.
Rangers also contacted Palos Verdes Estates City staff to confirm that there is an
authorized access to the beach below Vicente Bluffs from Christmas Tree Cove and
Honeymoon Cove. Rangers hiked and verified this authorized alternative to access this
beach.
Rangers also received reports of drones at Vicente Bluffs and continue to monitor for
this activity.
City Parks
In addition to the 1,400 acres of open space in the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve, and
City beaches, Rangers also assisted Recreation and Parks Staff in responding to calls
for service and assistance in matters related to enforcement. These calls were related
to drone use and policy, paragliders, dogs off-leash, patrons in closed areas (during
COVID-19 mandated closure of parks and open spaces), alcoholic beverages, and
special event permits / organized events without city’s approval.
1
MEMORANDUM
Date: Tuesday, October 13th, 2020
To: Katie Lozano, City of Rancho Palos Verdes
From: Ranger Saldaña
SUBJECT: 3rd Quarter Rancho Palos Verdes Ranger Enforcement Report
PRESERVE VISITOR CONTACTS SUMMARY
• July 01, 2020 - September 30, 2020
• 4 Rangers* patrolled the reserves during this period
*Approximately 130 hours per week.
This reporting period continued to be atypical as operations continued to be driven by
public health mandates from the State and LA County regarding the COVID-19
Pandemic.
Operations under COVID-19 LA County Health Department Regulations
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, group size was limited to no more than 10. Rangers
educated patrons about social distancing, facial coverings, and other restrictions as
mandated by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, and responded to
various calls for service for reports of patrons in non-compliance with these mandates.
During routine patrols, Rangers saw 70% compliance, and educated users on
temporary trail guidelines. Reports for compliance from the public were significantly
lower than those observed by Rangers.
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health ordered Los Angeles County beaches
closed from July 3rd through July 6th at 5:00am related to COVID-19. OSM assisted in
setting barricades, and educating trail users on mandated closures. Rangers patrolled
areas to ensure compliance was met.
Lastly, during this quarter, Rangers patrolled and monitored patrons on trails as a result
of a series of advisories and warnings issued by the National Weather Service,
including: Excessive Heat Watch, Extreme Fire Weather, Heat Advisory and Red Flag
Warnings. Smoke Advisory was also in effect due to active wildfires, such as the Bobcat
Fire, which began on September 6th, 2020.
OVERALL VISITOR CONTACTS:
Total Contacts: 6,269
Hikers: 5,732
Dog Walkers: 282
Cyclists: 255
2
Equestrians: 2
Warnings: 378
Calls for Assistance:
Heat exhaustion & heat stress: 24
Dog exhaustion & heat stress: 2
Other (i.e. underlying condition, sprained ankle): 6
Additionally, Rangers patrolled and monitored patrons on trails as a result of a series of
advisories and warnings issued by the National Weather Service, including: Excessive
Heat Watch, Extreme Fire Weather, Heat Advisory and Red Flag Warnings, a minimum
of 17 days affected during this period. As a result, 32 transports were made to patrons
exhibiting signs of heat exhaustion or heat stress.
Smoke Advisory was also in effect by the South Coast Air Quality Management District
(AQMD) due to active wildfires, such as the Bobcat Fire, which began on September 6th,
2020.
Preserve Information and Reporting Hotline Calls: 73 calls
COVID-19 related (including masks, social distancing, one-way signage): 2
Use of Spur Trail: 17
Vandalism: 1
Paragliding: 4
Maintenance: 0
Parking Issues: 5
Trail Status and General Information: 33
Dog on the beach: 2
Fishing / Poaching: 3
Smoking: 1
Other Violations: 5
ENFORCEMENT SUMMARY:
Notice of Parking Citations Issued: 422 Total*
Number of violations is greater than the number of citations issued
By Violation:
Failure to Obey Signs - 88
Posted Temporary No Parking / Fire Lane – 9
Passenger Loading Zone - 12
Park by Permit – 275
Handicap Zone – 29
Other - 17
3
By Location:
Abalone Cove Reserve – 140
Crenshaw Boulevard (Portuguese Bend / Filiorum adjacent) – 20
Del Cerro – 258
Ocean Trails Reserve – 1
City of RPV Parks – 1
Vicente Bluffs Reserve – 2
Notice to Appear Citations Issued: 21 Total
By Violation:
Closed Area – 18
Protection of Flora / Fauna – 1
Dogs off Leash – 2
By Location:
Abalone Cove Reserve – 4
Agua Amarga Reserve – 0
Filiorum Reserve – 0
Forrestal Reserve – 1
Ocean Trails Reserve – 2
Portuguese Bend Reserve – 0
San Ramon Reserve – 0
Vicente Bluffs Reserve – 14
ACTIVITY REPORT BY RESERVE:
The next section provides further information on projects, reports, and observations
received by Rangers from the public, organized per Reserve. Numbers do not reflect
actual number of individuals in the Reserve, rather those spoken to while on foot and/or
vehicle patrols.
Abalone Cove Reserve:
Public Contact Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 820 103 96 154
Dogs 22 5 6 0
Biker 7 0 1 0
Equestrian 0 0 0 0
Rangers educated and informed patrons of Reserve rules for various violations
observed, including dogs off leash, dogs on the beach, entering closed area, and
drones prohibited.
4
Rangers have also worked closely with the Department of Fish and Wildlife Game
Wardens, and the Los Angeles Marine Protected Areas Collaborative Team to educate
visitors about Abalone Cove and Vicente Bluffs State Marine Protection Areas. Rangers
have assisted in reporting, educating, and enforcement aspect to deter poaching in and
around Abalone Cove. The City also installed temporary signage to educate patrons
about our MPAs. Official signage is still being developed and approved by CDFW.
Since June 28th, 2020, Open Space Management has begun tracking the number of
organisms observed and/or deterred. A total of 216 individuals were spoken to
regarding MPA violations, and educated on rules, permit process, and alternative
locations outside of the MPA zone. Staff confirmed 631 marine organisms deterred from
take in the MPA zone, primarily from Abalone Cove SMCA including over 50 reports
from the public (i.e. phone calls, or staff being flagged down during patrols). The
organisms included mussels, purple sea urchins, sea stars, limpets, turban snails, shore
hermits, hermit crabs, as well as rocks, and sea shells.
5
Staff installed an “Area Closed” sign at the bottom of Sacred Cove View Trail West.
During this period, staff received multiple reports from the public regarding injured
wildlife. Staff responded to confirm the location and notify the corresponding agencies
for assistance. The injured wildlife included seagull with a broken leg, seagull with a
hook imbedded in its tongue, deceased dolphin, and a raccoon with visible scarring and
partially removed jaw.
Three encampments were found, in Abalone Cove, two of which were vacated. Staff
responded and tagged both vacated sites, which requires the posting of a public notice
to vacate the property within 72 hours of the notice. After the 72 hour period, staff
returned to the site and removed the items. The third encampment was located on
Inspiration Point trail, a mere 5 feet away from the cliff. The individuals complied when
asked to retrieve and remove their tent from the trail as it is not permissible in the
Nature Preserve.
6
Agua Amarga Reserve
Public Contact Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 5 0 0 0
Dog 1 0 0 0
Biker 0 0 0 0
Equestrian 0 0 0 0
During this quarter, few patrons were observed during patrols at Agua Amarga Reserve.
No activity to report.
Alta Vicente Reserve
Public Contact Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 27 0 4 0
Dog 7 0 0 0
Biker 0 0 0 0
Equestrian 0 0 0 0
Rangers received reports and spoke with a homeless individual who had been seen in
Alta Vicente Reserve and Point Vicente Interpretive Center Park area. The public had
reported the individual had chased a group of hikers from the trail with a stick, while
yelling at them.
7
Over this reporting period, ranger continued to monitor Alta Vicente for increased use
resulting from the City’s public education campaign to encourage visitors to explore new
Reserve areas with ample parking and amenities.
Filiorum Reserve
Public Contact Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 247 34 0 0
Dog 8 0 0 0
Biker 3 0 0 0
Equestrian 0 0 0 0
No activity to report.
Forrestal Reserve
Public Contact Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 187 49 1 0
Dog 19 0 1 1
Biker 12 0 0 0
Equestrian 0 0 0 0
On August 6th, Staff received a report of damage to the wooden bridge on Mariposa
Trail. Staff consulted with PVPLC and Trail Crew to restore the bridge.
8
Staff received reports of two rattlesnakes at Ladera Linda Park. Staff educated patrons
about snake behavior, and maintaining a safe distance. Staff monitored the rattlesnakes
to ensure they were able to retreat to their burrows. Staff noticed one of the rattlesnakes
had an injury from a previous incident. The rattlesnake had tangled itself in plastic
netting earlier in its life, and as it grew, the netting began to constrict and cause tearing
on the skin and scales. Animal Control was called, but as it posed no immediate health
risk, the snake was released.
Rangers educated a group of two regarding hoverboards in the Nature Preserve. Hover
boards are considered a motorized vehicle with lithium batteries, and are not permitted
in the Nature Preserve.
Rangers are monitoring use levels at Forrestal Reserve to assess whether parking and
access changes on Crenshaw Blvd. south of Crest Rd. are impacting use at this
location. While Rangers have noticed a slight increase in use, staff will continue to
monitor and establish monitoring techniques.
Ocean Trails Reserve
Public Contact Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 506 60 18 2
Dog 32 2 10 1
Biker 0 0 0 0
Equestrian 0 0 0 0
Rangers continued to receive numerous reports regarding illegal paragliding / hang
glider activity in Ocean Trails Reserve. Rangers patrolled area and ensured closure
signage was in place to educate, warn, and cite violators as appopriate. Additionally,
with the assistance of Open Space Management, spur trail were closed off to deter
activity.
9
Individuals were contacted by the Sheriff’s Department to pursue legal action in the
event they are seen paragliding in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
Portuguese Bend Reserve
Public Contact Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 3,247 161 40 20
Dog 166 5 2 0
Biker 224 5 1 0
Equestrian 0 0 0 0
On July 1st, 2020, a small one acre brush fire, cause unknown broke out into the late
hours on Sweetbay Drive. The burned area did not reach Portuguese Bend Reserve.
Starting September 4th, 2020 public parking was restricted on Crenshaw Boulevard
south of Crest Road. Signage was posted on affected trailheads to inform the public and
request public input.
Rangers found over a dozen deceased coy fish discarded along Narcissa Drive and
Water Tank Trail.
On August 8th, Rangers received a call regarding a female and two children with a riffle
in the Reserve on Burma Trail. Rangers notified Deputies and confirmed the individual
was shooting at aluminum cans along Burma Road.
Rangers also monitored and proactively reached out to Hash House Harriers organizers
to remind them of organized activities, and permitted use of the Palos Verdes Nature
Preserve. The
10
San Ramon Reserve
Public Contacts Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 8 3 1 0
Dog 0 0 0 0
Biker 7 0 0 0
Equestrian 0 0 0 0
On August 30th, staff removed trash from the turnout at San Ramon parking area,
including 6 – 30 gallon trash bags, chain link fence, and 3 porcelain figures. After
consulting with the habitat land manager, the closed section of Wanderer Trail due to
the fire that had burned on July 8th was reopened to the public.
Dirt jumps were illegally installed on Switchback Trail. They will be scheduled for
removal.
Rangers received a report of an illegal structure located on the wash at San Ramon.
The structure was vacant, with the exception of a few tools, including a shovel head,
hammer, hedge trimmer blade, and hand saw.
11
Three Sisters Reserve
Public Contacts Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 6 0 0 0
Dog 1 0 0 0
Biker 0 0 0 0
Equestrian 0 0 0 0
No activity to report.
Vicente Bluffs Reserve
Public Contacts Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 691 155 192 16
Dog 30 0 1 0
Biker 2 0 3 0
Equestrian 0 0 0 0
Rangers responded to multiple reports of people climbing over the fence near the
scenic look out adjacent to Calle Entradero Parking Lot. Open Space Management staff
assisted Rangers in educating many individuals on public safety concerns regarding
steep and unstable cliffs and unauthorized spur trails.
12
The City also received information regarding high use of drones, which are not
permitted in the Vicente Bluffs Reserve, or adjacent areas. The City is working on
signage, and is enforcing users with drones.
The Vicente Bluffs Replacement Fence Project began August 10th, 2020 with
collaboration from Public Works Department, which included changes to trails at Vicente
Bluffs. Initially, sections of Sea Scape Trail were one-way directional trail to allow work
to resume during weekdays. Due to delays, and poor product satisfaction, the entire
Sea Scape Trail was closed to the public.
City Parks
In addition to the 1,400 acres of open space in the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve,
Rangers also assisted Parks and Recreation Staff in responding to calls for service and
assistance in matters related to enforcement. These calls were related to homeless
individuals and encampments, paragliders, group use (during COVID-19 mandated
group size of no more than 10), and unauthorized use of sports / athletic fields (city
permit required to use fields).
1
MEMORANDUM
Date: Wednesday, January 27th, 2021
To: Katie Lozano, Senior Administrative Analyst
Dan Trautner, Deputy Director of Recreation and Parks
Cory Linder, Director of Recreation and Parks
From: Norma Saldaña, Recreation Supervisor
Subject: Park Ranger Enforcement Report: 4th Quarter 2020
PRESERVE VISITOR CONTACTS SUMMARY
• October 1st 2020 – December 31st 2020
• 4 Rangers* patrolled the Preserve during this period
*Approximately 130 hours per week.
This reporting period continued to be atypical as operations continued to be strongly
influenced by public health mandates from the State and L.A. County regarding the
COVID-19 Pandemic and increased use of the Preserve, including more new visitors
less familiar with outdoor and hiking safety and trail etiquette.
Welcome Park Ranger Acero!
In October 2020, The Recreation and Parks Department
welcomed our 4th Park Ranger, Rosario Acero, to the Open
Space Management (OSM) team. Ranger Acero has
enforcement and public safety background from her
employment with the Torrance Police Department and the City
of Commerce lifeguard program. She also has a passion for
public service and natural resource management, and we are
excited about the talents she brings to the City’s Open Space
Management team!
Operations under COVID-19 LA County Health Department Regulations
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, group size in the Preserve was limited to no more than
10. Rangers educated patrons about social distancing, facial coverings, and other
restrictions as mandated by the L.A. County Department of Public Health. During
routine patrols, Rangers saw approximately 70% compliance with mask and social
distancing mandates. Reports for compliance from the public were significantly lower
than those observed by Rangers.
2
Trainings and Coordination:
The Open Space Management Division participates in the L.A. County-wide Trails Task
Force, which is a group of open space managers throughout L.A. County that
coordinate management best practices, including implementation and enforcement of
Pandemic-related County Health Orders. Staff attended the October meeting at which
the Task Force discussed topics including visitation levels, additional trail re-openings,
and public communication and messaging enhancements.
The Open Space Management Division collaborates with the Los Angeles Marine
Protected Areas Collaborative Team as well as the Department of Fish and Wildlife
Game Wardens to educate visitors about Abalone Cove and Point Vicente State Marine
Conservation Area. Staff collects data daily and submits this data on a weekly basis to
our partners. Training has been postponed due to COVID -19.
Rattlesnake Safety Workshop: Staff received rattlesnake safety training from Dr. Emily
Taylor of Central Coast Snake Services in October. Staff learned about snake
identification, mating behaviors, and received hands-on training to be able to safely
relocate rattlesnakes. The City will be offering additional information on rattlesnake
safety for the public online and exploring options for community trainings in early 2021.
Water Rescue and Cave Training:
On October 27th, Rancho Palos
Verdes Park Rangers and L.A.
County Fire Department firefighters
and lifeguards met for training at
Abalone Cove. The training
included rock entries/exits, and
personnel swam inside the sea
caves simulating actual gorge
rescues. Multi-agency efforts were
made so that land-based resources
and water-based resources can
better coordinate their efforts while
reducing risk for personnel.
In case of an emergency, the public should call 911 and know their specific location to
share with dispatchers.
Project Coordination
OSM staff help coordinate multiple projects within the Preserve to ensure Natural
Communities Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan (NCCP/HCP) compliance
with PVPLC, to implement trail closures and public safety measures, and to provide
public notification. Below are a list of projects OSM staff helped coordinate with
PVPLC, the Public Works Department, and public utilities in the 4 th quarter.
3
• Southern California Edison (SCE) infrastructure maintenance (9/25-10/6 at
Portuguese Bend Reserve)
• Public Works Dept. Coastal Blufftop Fence Replacement Project (Aug. – Jan. at
Vicente Bluffs Reserve)
• LARICS infrastructure installation (October -12/13 at Vista Del Norte)
• California Water Company Vanderlip Trail Repairs (11/3-1/7 at Portuguese Bend
Reserve)
• Public Works Dept. Burma Gate Installation (11/9-11/16 at Portuguese Bend
Reserve)
• SCE infrastructure maintenance (11/17-11/20 at Portuguese Bend Reserve)
• SCE infrastructure replacement (12/1-12/30 at Portuguese Bend Reserve)
• SCE infrastructure removal (12/1-ongoing at Portuguese Bend Reserve)
• SCE infrastructure maintenance (12/18-12/21 at Portuguese Bend Reserve)
OVERALL VISITOR CONTACTS:
Total Contacts: 6,480
Hikers: 5,582
Dog Walkers: 459
Cyclists: 422
Equestrians: 17
Warnings: 269
Calls for Assistance:
Heat exhaustion & heat stress: 12
Other (i.e. underlying condition, sprained ankle): 3
Preserve Information and Reporting Hotline Calls: 29 calls
COVID-19 related (including masks, social distancing, one-way signage): 2
Vandalism: 1
Paragliding: 3
Parking Issues: 1
Trail Status and General Information: 5
Removal of flora/fauna: 2
Littering: 1
Dog on the beach: 7
Fishing / Poaching: 2
Other Violations (not Preserve-related): 5
4
ENFORCEMENT SUMMARY:
Notice of Parking Citations Issued: 595 Total
By Violation:
Posted Temporary No Parking / Fire Lane – 36
Passenger Loading Zone - 255
Park by Permit – 198
Handicap Zone – 11
Parking Lot / Preserve / Park Hours: 95
By Location:
Abalone Cove Reserve – 63
Alta Vicente Reserve - 2
Crenshaw Boulevard (Portuguese Bend / Filiorum adjacent) – 301
Del Cerro Park – 183
Forrestal Reserve - 5
Ocean Trails Reserve – 1
San Ramon Reserve - 1
Vicente Bluffs Reserve – 19
City of RPV Parks – 20
Notice to Appear Citations Issued: 32 Total
Number of violations is greater than the number of citations issued
By Violation:
Closed Area – 23
Dogs off Leash – 4
Animals on the Beach – 2
Paragliding (Misdemeanor) – 2
Park Hours - 2
By Location:
Abalone Cove Reserve – 12
Forrestal Reserve – 1
Ocean Trails Reserve – 7
Portuguese Bend Reserve – 4
Vicente Bluffs Reserve – 7
City of RPV Parks - 1
5
ACTIVITY REPORT BY RESERVE:
The next section provides further information on projects, reports, and observations
received by Rangers from the public, organized per Reserve. Numbers do not reflect
actual number of individuals in the Reserve, rather those spoken to while on foot and/or
vehicle patrols.
Abalone Cove Reserve:
Public Contact Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 803 184 116 74
Dog walkers 35 24 23 1
Cyclists 14 2 2 0
Equestrian 0 0 0 0
On Sunday, November 15, a patron reported finding human remains on Abalone Cove
Beach. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputies were called and after close examination,
confirmed they were not human, but were marine mammal.
A patron called the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department regarding a possible
suicidal person on Portuguese Point Loop Trail. Deputies responded and escorted the
individual out.
On weekends, holidays, and during low-tide events,
staff continued to observe high traffic in the City’s two
State Marine Conservation Areas, primarily, at Abalone
Cove SMCA. Staff continued to educate patrons about
Marine Protected Areas (MPA), and shared proper tide
pool etiquette for safely viewing but not disturbing
marine organisms. During this reporting period, a total
of 62 violations were observed, and 111 individuals
were contacted and educated by staff, resulting in the
return of 92 marine organisms, and an additional 21
violations prevented by providing information and
alternative locations where individuals can legally take
outside of the MPA zone with a fishing license.
Collection of animals in containers (as seen on the
right) even with the intent to return is not allowed in the
MPA zones. Containers, including buckets, tubs, and
plastic bottles of water are frequently used to collect water and wildlife to observe
closely. They are confiscated by staff, and all animals are returned safely to their
respective habitats.
6
Additionally, staff continues to collaborate, and communicate with local agencies,
including California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Los Angeles Waterkeeper, and Los
Angeles Marine Protected Areas Collaborative Team.
Agua Amarga Reserve
Public Contact Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 41 4 3 0
Dog walkers 2 0 0 0
Cyclists 6 0 0 0
Equestrian 0 0 0 0
Rangers received multiple past reports of an aggressive dog on the trails. One reporting
party indicated their dog was bit and wounded. The party was advised to notify Animal
Control and consult with their local veterinarian to report and assess the dogs’ injuries.
Rangers continue to monitor the area and have been unable to locate the dog or owner.
Alta Vicente Reserve
Public Contact Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 30 6 3 2
Dog walkers 12 2 2 0
Cyclists 1 1 0 0
Equestrian 0 0 0 0
Rangers received several reports of a potential homeless man in the area verbally
threatening hikers in the Alta Vicente Reserve trails. Rangers were unable to locate the
man, or any evidence of an illegal encampment. Rangers continue to monitor the area.
Staff has also observed increased use at Alta Vicente Reserve and Upper Point Vicente
Park/Civic Center. Violations of dogs off-leash and off-trail use are being observed and
addressed. Rangers have additionally received reports of increased dog waste on
trails.
Filiorum Reserve
Public Contact Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 123 31 9 0
Dog walkers 10 1 2 0
Cyclists 6 0 0 0
Equestrian 0 0 0 0
On October 3rd, staff observed a paraglider fly and land in the Reserve at
approximately 3 pm. It is unclear where the paraglider took off from.
7
Evidence of illegal harvesting of prickly pear cactus was found in the Palos Verdes
Nature Preserve, adjacent to the Filiorum Reserve.
Forrestal Reserve
Public Contact Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 176 13 11 6
Dog walkers 48 4 5 0
Cyclists 26 0 2 0
Equestrian 0 0 0 0
Rangers received reports of individuals with their dogs off leash. No additional activity
reported / observed during this period.
Ocean Trails Reserve
Public Contact Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 388 20 3 4
Dog walkers 61 16 18 3
Cyclists 0 0 0 0
Equestrian 0 0 0 0
Rangers have received calls of increased dog use at Rancho Palos
Verdes Beach. Animals are not allowed on any beach in the City of
Rancho Palos Verdes. Animal fecal matter and urine can cause health
risks for humans and affect water quality. Dogs are allowed on the trails,
as long as they are on a leash no longer than 6 feet in length. The City is
working with Trump National Staff to ensure adequate signage is in place
to educate and enforce the City’s Municipal Code.
Staff continued to receive reports of individuals in closed
areas. Some of these individuals are hiking off trail, and
some are individuals illegally paragliding, including
launching from and land on City propety. When possible,
staff educated and informed individuals of habitat loss,
compaction, and damage to sensitive species, including the
island green dudleya that are found in the area. The City
reinforced signage, barricades, and increased patrols to
inform, and deter off-trail use.
8
Portuguese Bend Reserve
Public Contact Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 3,498 175 29 3
Dog walkers 253 10 15 1
Cyclists 315 10 2 0
Equestrian 17 2 0 0
Staff approached a patron with an off-leash cat in the Reserve. The man was hiking with
his cat and indicated that the cat was startled due to high traffic on Burma Road trail,
causing the cat to hide behind nearby brush.
On Thursday, October 8th, Cal Water alerted residents in the Portuguese Bend
Community about a main break. Vanderlip trail remained closed throughout the
weekend. Rangers closed off Vanderlip, Kubota, and a section of Gary’s Gulch Trail
while crews worked to bring in dirt, and repair damages. Rangers received several
reports of patrons accessing these trails during the closure increasing safety concerns
for the public.
On Monday, November 9th, construction began for the installation of the new entry gate
at the Burma Rd. trailhead. The trails remained open, however, OSM staff were present
to provide information to the public and recommend alternatives to access the
Portuguese Bend Reserve during construction. The gate is programmed to lock at
sunset, and unlock at 7:00 a.m. every day. When trail closures are in effect, the gate will
remain locked. Rangers have increased patrols during the night to ensure the gate is in
working condition and patrons are informed of the Preserve hours.
9
Old Burma Gate New Burma Gate (Installed November 2020)
“Residential Quiet Zone” signs located at the top of Burma Road trail were vandalized
and spray painted with gray colored paint, bent, or removed from their post on several
occasions. OSM repaired and replaced signs on a weekly basis, with over 8 counts of
vandalism on each sign (24 total). No information is known about the individual(s).
San Ramon Reserve
Public Contacts Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 9 2 3 1
Dog walkers 0 0 0 0
Cyclists 48 0 0 0
Equestrian 0 0 0 0
Staff has reported at least 2 counts of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes locks cut on
both the bottom and top of Wanderer Trail. Rangers continue to monitor activity in the
Reserve, including unauthorized vehicle access, and replace locks as needed.
On November 25, Rangers made contact with a male who was harvesting cacti fruit
from the native Prickly Pear cacti growing along Palos Verdes Drive East within
Reserve boundaries. The individuals returned the fruit to Rangers.
The illegal structure reported to Rangers during in September was dismantled. The
structure included several repurposed logs, pipes, and plywood held together by nails,
and rope. With the support of OSM, staff was able to haul out all material from the area.
10
Before After
Three Sisters Reserve
Public Contacts Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 50 0 0 0
Dog walkers 3 1 1 0
Cyclists 3 1 1 0
Equestrian 0 0 0
Residents reported hearing and seeing increased coyote activity at dusk along the lower
trails. One such incident included a sighting of a coyote pack within 20 feet of a hiker.
Coyotes do reside in the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve. Any coyote sightings s hould
be reported to the City’s Code Enforcement Division online from your mobile device or
desktop.
Additionally, Rangers received a report of a deceased snake adjacent
to Three Sisters Trail. It was unclear how the snake had died, but the
reporting party indicated it may have died from blunt force trauma
inflicted by a group of hikers that they had encountered on the trail.
The rattlesnake was found with its head buried 4 inches into the
ground and had no other injuries.
Vicente Bluffs Reserve
Public Contacts Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 464 48 17 26
Dog walkers 35 6 2 0
Cyclists 3 0 0 0
Equestrian 0 0 0 0
The Bluff Top Fence Replacement Project began in August 2020, and continued
through the fourth quarter. The project included temporary closure of trails, and one-way
11
trails when paths were not wide enough to allow for two-way traffic. As a result of this
project, temporary chain link fence was placed, and several concrete shortages stalled
the work of the project. Staff saw a decreased in the amount of unauthorized trail use.
Upon completion of the fence, staff installed “Do Not Climb Over the Fence” signs to
educate and remind visitors of safety hazards/environmental sensitivity on the cliff edge.
Staff also stenciled numbers to mark the locations of posts along the Seascape and
Golden Cove trail. These numbers can be used to report maintenance issues and or
emergencies with greater precision for location.
On November 7, 2020, staff reported damage to the City’s monument
sign located at Terrace Trailhead. It is unknown when or what caused
the damage.
Vista del Norte Reserve
Public Contacts Education Warning Enforcement
Hikers 0 0 0 0
Dog walkers 0 0 0 0
Cyclists 0 0 0 0
Equestrian 0 0 0 0
The Reserve monument sign located on the upper section of Vista del Norte Trail was
damaged in August 2020. Rangers are working with the responsible party for signage
replacement.
City Parks:
Rangers educated patrons in City Parks regarding the City’s Municipal Code, including
use of drones, dogs off-leash, and park hours.
Trail Counter Data from January 2020 – June 2021
Trail Counters are located at Burma Rd. Trail and Rattlesnake Trail
2020
January 2020: 28,978
February 2020: 25,282
March 2020: 20,142 (Preserve closed March 17 per LA County Health Department Orders)
April 2020: n/a (Preserve remained closed per LA County Health Department Orders)
May 2020: 21,827 (Preserve reopened May 13 per LA County Health Orders)
June 2020: 19,605
July 2020: 27,879
August 2020: 29,937
September 2020: 23,412
October 2020: 26,257
November 2020: 30,315
December 2020: 40,444
2021
January 2021: 38,181
February 2021: 38,913
March 2021: 39,267
April 2021: 31,910
May 2021: 19,398
June 2021: 20,580
APPENDIX I
Financial Reporting
2020 Preserve Expenditures of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
Costs related to fulfilling Conservation Requirement
397,612$
Field Supplies and Equipment 25,106$
Irrigation in Abalone Cove Phases 1 and 2 119,381$
Vehicle Expenses (including fuel and mileage)49,074$
Office Supplies 23,402$
Overhead (insurance, permits, accounting)53,644$
Subtotal Expenses to fulfill Conservation Requirement*668,219$
Costs related to Land Ownership and Public Access
Fuel Modification (PVPLC-owned Lunada Canyon)7,590$
Trail Maintenance Personnel and Supplies (including trail signage)34,388$
Subtotal Expenses related to Land Ownership and Public Access**41,978$
TOTAL PRESERVE EXPENSES 710,197$
Additional Preserve Projects
Fuel Load Reduction (Phase 2, funded by Rancho Palos Verdes)307,200$
Fuel Load Reduction in Portuguese Bend (funded by Rolling Hills)96,000$
Preserve Signage @ Abalone Cove (funded by Coastal Conservancy)45,985$
Preserve Signage @ Malaga Canyon and Ocean Trails (funded by Rancho Palos Verdes)19,435$
TOTAL ADDITONAL PRESERVE PROJECTS 468,620$
* This subtotal is compared to PVPLC's funding commitments made in the NCCP/HCP for FY 16/17 totalling $230,559
** This subtotal is compared to PVPLC's funding commitments made in the NCCP/HCP for FY 16/17 totalling $19,460
*** Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Staff Allocations by Position
Executive Director (60%)
Conservation Director (50%)
Biologist (70%)
Stewardship Manager (25%)
Stewardship Technicians, 4 (50%)
Trail Technician (75%)
Volunteer Program Manager (30%)
Volunteer Coordinator (30%)
PVPLC Staff and Consultants*** (Conservation Easement monitoring, Planning, Biological Surveys/Reporting, Restoration
Implementation, Volunteer Management)
DESCRIPTION
FY 2016-2017
NCCP/HCP
FY2019-2020
NCCP/HCP
COSTS RELATED TO FULFILLING CONSERVATION REQUIREMENTS
Misc. City Restoration Activities**30,000 472,686
Senior Administrative Analyst (15%)43,784 19,015
Recreation Specialist (10%)21,126 9,622
Non-wasting Endowment paid to PVPLC*10,000 -
PVPLC Contract 144,300 153,618
SUB-TOTAL COSTS RELATED TO FULFILLING CONSERVATION REQUIREMENTS 249,210 654,941
COSTS RELATED TO PUBLIC ACCESS AND LAND OWNERSHIP
Public Safety**567,000 301,954
Senior Administrative Analyst (50%)145,946 63,385
Recreation Supervisor I (70%)- 67,876
Recreation Specialist (50%)105,628 67,357
PT OSM Staff Positions 113,900 -
Reporting Line/Phone Service 2,400 1,027
Regulatory Literature 2,500 -
Other - Misc. Supplies 31,000 27,333
Maintenance Superintendent (7%)16,227 9,616
Maintenance Workers (3) (7%)20,316 16,889
Vehicles (maintenance and fuel)2,197 11,375
Brush Management**108,000 563,001
Bird Surveys 30,000 5,423
Portable Restrooms 15,000 16,171
Landslide Abatement Districts 60,096 122,334
Road Maintenance 25,000 99,626
Trail/Misc. Maintenance**31,000 195,400
Signage 10,000 6,985
SUB-TOTAL COSTS RELATED TO PUBLIC ACCESS & LAND OWNERSHIP 1,286,210 1,575,752
TOTAL PRESERVE EXPENDITURES 1,535,420 2,230,693
Significant Variances between FY 2016/17 and FY 2019/20
**Public Safety expenditures decreased due to transition from LA County Deputies to City Park Rangers. (Decreased by $265,046)
**Brush Management expenditures increased due to increased brush management requirements enforced by LA County. (Increased by $455,001)
*Habitat Restoration Fund and Non-Wasting Endowment: The FY19/20 balance was $815,498. Payments, including retroactive payments, will be made to
PVPLC in FY 2021/22.
FY 16/17 staff rates are fully burdened rates used for services provided by the City to residents/businesses/private property owners. FY 2019/20 and future
reporting of staff rates will be the more appropriate accounting of staff salary plus benefits. Expenditures related to staff time will appear to have decreased
because of this reporting change/correction.
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
NCCP/HCP Financial Reporting
FY 2019-2020
**Trail/Misc. Maintenance expenditures increased due to one-time project to replace all trash cans in the Preserve with lidded, wildlife and graffiti proof trash
cans. Trash can replacement project cost: $50,400. (Increased by $164,400)
**City Misc. Restoration Activities increased due to special acacia removal/fuel load reduction project. Acacia removal project cost: $472,686. (Increased by
$412,686)