Posts Tagged: Elkus Ranch

Elkus Ranch reopens with new bridge

The New Year's Eve storm ushered in 2023 and took out the bridge crossing Purisima Creek to Elkus Ranch Environmental Education Center. On June 1, Elkus Ranch reopened to the public with a new bridge.

Igor Lacan, interim director of UC Cooperative Extension in San Mateo and San Francisco counties and UCCE Bay Area environmental horticulture and urban forestry advisor, is grateful to everyone involved in getting Elkus Ranch's bridge replaced.

“Our construction office folks – Jeff Couture, Luzanne Martin and Alexander Cain – were hands-on from the first day to the bridge opening,” Lacan said. “I think they are now familiar with every square inch of our bridge, every pipe connection in our water system, and every idiosyncratic little detail of Elkus!” 

For the five months until the bridge was completed, Elkus Ranch staff had to ride a bucket lift daily to get into the ranch to feed Sassy the donkey, the goats, sheep, rabbits, cats and other animals that live at Elkus Ranch, as well as do their other work. 

“Our two ranch maintenance staffers, Augustine Aguilar and Bruno Acosta, waded the stream, cleared debris, carried water and hay bales for the animals, and in general did everything that needed to be done in order to both keep our animals alive AND to get everything ready for construction,” Lacan said.  

“Our educators Beth Loof, Terri Pacheco, Holly Bono and Doug Meyer, and ranch manager Leslie Jensen ensured that both the animals were cared for and that our school clients were up-to-date on our repair progress.” 

While the bridge was out, the local schoolchildren couldn't visit Elkus Ranch. Led by ranch educator Beth Loof with support from 4-H youth development advisor Sally Neas, the educators took their show on the road directly to the schools.

“Our office manager, Kathleen Stewart, kept everyone apprised of the situation, day-to-day, and ensured everyone's safety,” Lacan said.

In addition, Brian Oatman and David Alamillo in Environmental Health and Safety were instrumental in liaising with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other agencies to secure support for repairs. 

Tu Tran, associate vice president for business operations, stepped in several times not only to facilitate high-level discussion and ensure funding, but also to help resolve some unexpected issues on the ground, Lacan said.

On June 10, the team welcomed visitors to the annual Sheep to Shawl at Elkus Ranch to see sheep being sheared, watch wool spinning and try dying wool. 

Coastside Magazine interviewed Jensen and other Elkus Ranch employees about the reopening: https://www.hmbreview.com/coastside_magazine/page-m-001/page_6437e17a-0a55-59d6-b468-1b27bb09ade5.html.

Storm damages Elkus Ranch, limits access

As 2023 roared in like a lion, ushering in a series of storms, many Californians experienced some impact from flooding, power outages, fallen trees, road closures and even evacuations.

UC ANR colleagues at Elkus Ranch are continuing to deal with fallout from the storms, which swept away the bridge crossing the creek at the entrance to the property and knocked out the water pump.

“The New Year's storm washed out our bridge and severely restricted our access to Elkus Ranch,” said Frank McPherson, UCCE Bay Area director, by email on Jan. 11. “We currently have no vehicle access to the ranch and a few critical team members are only able to cross the stream via a bucket lift.

“In addition, our water pump system was washed away, leaving us without the ability to create safe drinking water beyond what we have currently stored in storage tanks on the ranch. Our sewage system has also been impacted and we are diligently working to minimize any potential environmental impact to the area, and the ranch is operating without power.” 

Staff members – as well as the goats, sheep, rabbits and other animals that live at Elkus Ranch – are fine, McPherson said. However, all events at Elkus Ranch for January and February events have been cancelled. McPherson is concerned not only that the facility isn't available to the San Mateo County community, but also because fees charged for events are used to pay for animal feed, veterinary services and some staff salaries.

He has been directing people who want to help to the donation button on the Elkus Ranch website.

As of Jan. 30, the power has been restored, but Elkus Ranch staff members are still slowly crossing the 30 feet over Purisima Creek by bucket lift to feed and care for the animals and tend to critical ranch operations.

“If all goes well, we should have a bridge in six weeks,” said Leslie Jensen, Elkus Ranch coordinator. 

After the bridge is replaced, McPherson hopes to bring in portable toilets and bottled water while the water system is being repaired to reopen Elkus Ranch and resume programs by April.

 

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