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Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
From habitat loss…
In
the 1850s California’s Central Valley encompassed
about four million acres of wetlands, riparian forests,
and grasslands that provided wintering and breeding
habitat for millions of water birds and other wildlife.
Within the valley, the waters of the
Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta flooded seasonally
and flowed, unrestricted, to the Pacific Ocean.
Between 1860 and 1985, Central Valley wetlands
were converted to agriculture and other uses at a rate
of 5,200 acres per year.
By the end of 1985, only three percent of the
original wetlands remained.
This loss of vital Central Valley habitat has
devastated populations of fish, wildlife, and plant
species resulting in numerous species list as Special
Interest or Endangered.
…To
habitat protection in an urban world
Established
in 1994, the Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge (the
Refuge) works to protect and restore more than 4,000
acres of wetland, grassland, and riparian habitat within
an 18,000 acres projected boundary.
The Refuge is located 10 miles south of
Sacramento along Interstate 5 and part of its eastern
border is the city limits of Elk Grove, a newly
incorporated city of 100,000 residents.
Stone Lakes is within an hour’s drive distance
of 1.2 million people in a region experiencing an annual
growth rate of ten percent.
Friends lend their support…
Through
special events and community outreach, the Stone Lakes
National Wildlife Refuge Association (the Association)
provides essential funding that is used to leverage
additional matching funds for visitor and habitat
enhancements, such as the creation of Marsh Wren
Centennial Wetland and the construction of a two-story
viewing platform. The
Association also produces a quarterly newsletter, Stone
Lakes News, and maintains a web site at www.stonelakes.org.
The Association also participates in:
- Development
of an environmental educational curriculum in
conjunction with faculty at a local elementary
school.
- Fiscal
sponsorship of mitigation fund endowments and grant
awards.
- Celebration
of Refuge milestones that involve the local press,
political dignitaries, and Association members.
- Special
events including Walk on the Wildside, an
annual free, family-oriented outdoor festival with
music, tours, exhibits, and wild animal
presentations.
- The
fund-raising gala, Wild,
Wild Night!, an evening of fine food, drink, music, wild animals, and a silent
auction.
…For
a better tomorrow
Plans
are underway to create Blue Heron Trails,
a 50-acre wildlife habitat and viewing area.
This new public use facility will allow the
Refuge to be open, for the first time, to the public
seven days a week from dawn to dusk.
The Association is seeking major funding to help
achieve the following goals:
- Create
two miles of walking trails, 400 feet of elevated
boardwalk, and an observation deck.
- Create
a Junior Biologist Trail consisting of six
interactive stations utilizing displays and
scientific apparatus.
- Create
two information kiosks, six interpretive panels, and
an entrance/exit sign.
- Develop
a tricolor map and informational materials.
Funds
raised by the Association will be used to leverage
available matching grants (federal and nonfederal) that
total over $500,000.00. The Association will also be seeking additional contributions
in order to complete the entrance road, parking area,
and restrooms estimated to cost an additional
$350,000.00.
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