Tom Grey
Help protect wildlife at Shoreline Park, and rewild a city
Dear Friend,
In its Strategic Roadmap Action Plan for Fiscal Years 2021-22 and 2022-23, the City of Mountain View leads the region in including “Protect and enhance local ecosystems and biodiversity through rewilding and other measures” in the Sustainability & Climate Resiliency Strategic Priorities. Rewilding and protecting ecosystems in a city takes dedication and attention, and we applaud the City of Mountain View for prioritizing nature and biodiversity.
What is happening:
Mountain View is starting two planning efforts to protect biodiversity and rewild our landscape.
The first is the Shoreline Wildlife Management Plan (SWMP) that aims to protect wildlife and habitat at Shoreline Park. Adding to the burrowing owls four representative species (Black Skimmer, Ridgway's Rail, Common Yellowthroat, White-tailed kite), the plan looks to protect a wide spectrum of local species.
Please watch a BEAUTIFUL 5-minute video that describes the plan and the species and habitats it aims to protect, and read an annotated outline for the plan for more information.
The second effort considers the community forest, and we look forward to rewilding the City through the management of parks and the Community Forest.
What can you do?
There are opportunities to support these efforts, and the City wants to hear from all of us. Here is how you can help:
Shoreline Wildlife Management Plan: Respond to a survey by June 30th (5 minutes of your time) Please tell the city:
About the species you like watching at Shoreline (name species or groups of birds, butterflies, rabbits, ground squirrels etc.)
Where you like to watch them (the egret and heron rookery on shorebird way? the island in the lake? Along Permanente Creek? The grasslands? swallow nests on buildings?)
Would you like to include additional wildlife species that are not included now (swallows? quail? frogs? rabbits and ground squirrels? Bumblebees and butterflies?)
In response to the question regarding recommendations, please ask to include North Bayshore parks , the Charleston Retention Basin and the egret rookery to the scope of the plan. In addition, as for special protection for nesting birds on the island. Ask that the plan include a detailed roadmap and funding
Where priorities are offered, please prioritize the protection of wildlife habitat from human disturbance
Please consider volunteering with the City of Mountain View.
Parks and Recreation Commission Discussion of the Community Tree Master Plan and Biodiversity on June 29
Please email the City of Mountain View (Send to: prc@mountainview.gov, Subject of email: Community trees, birds and pollinators), and/or speak at the meeting (7PM, City Hall, 500 Castro St. Mountain View, CA).
Say a little about who you are and why you care, and:
Tell the city that planting trees is a key tool that the city controls and should use to build the livable, green, sustainable, and climate resilient city its residents want and to support biodiversity in Mountain View.
The community tree master plan must reflect the critical environmental services that trees provide: heat island mitigation, air purification, and habitat for birds and pollinators.
The plan should include a detailed roadmap for reaching quantifiable goals.
Ask for all parks in the city to be transitioned to planting California native vegetation, with habitat linkages where feasible along creeks and streets, to build a resilient urban ecology and rewild the City. Parks should bring nature home, with less manicured spaces and more birds and butterflies.
Ask for maintaining parks and trees in an ecologically friendly way. There are (almost) no square plants in nature!
Thank you,