2011 current research projects
- Title
- Ecosystem Services Interpretative Trails and Curriculum- Interpreting the Value of Working Landscapes to the Public and Policy Makers
- Download
-
Document size is: 149 KB
Access the .pdf file - Author
-
Sonoma), Sheila Barry (UCCE, Santa Clara), Stephanie Larson (UCCE,: Authors
- Description
- This project, “Ecosystem Services Interpretative Trails and Curriculum” seeks to increase awareness and knowledge of park visitors, managers and decision makers of working rangelands and the ecosystem services. Bay Area open space lands provide an unprecedented opportunity to educate the public and policy makers. The bay area has over 1 million acres of “protected land” much of it managed as a working landscape. In fact over 25 different public entities in San Francisco bay area manage their open space lands with livestock grazing. Many of these public entities also have public access for recreation and “nature” interpretation; these lands host over 3 million visitors per year. The future of both private and public working rangelands and the ecosystem services they provide in the San Francisco bay area and throughout the state will depend on public policies that allow ranching to be viable. As recognized by UC ANR’s strategic initiative for sustainable conservation of natural ecosystems, there is a growing need and interest in telling the story of the working landscape, its conservation and its benefits to society.