SPAWN is offering free habitat enhancement consultations for homeowners living on creekside properties in the San Geronimo Valley. 

We can help address specific concerns that property owners may have about their creeks, the surrounding wildlife habitat, or other natural resource issues. Native and invasive plants can be identified and homeowners will have the opportunity to learn about the creek habitat and native plant communities that would naturally grow on their property. Through consultation, a conceptual plan for creek enhancement and vegetation restoration will be developed.

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Additionally, we will provide ideas about how to improve habitat for fish and amphibians as well as for terrestrial wildlife such as birds and squirrels, beneficial insects such as dragonflies, and pollinators such as butterflies. Nearly all species of wildlife depend on riparian zones! Providing appropriate habitat to wildlife along riparian corridors keeps ecosystems healthy, providing benefits to homeowners as well as to wildlife.

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Plants recommended for restoration through the consultation can be found at the SPAWN native plant nursery, which is currently growing a diverse array of 110 plant species. Our nursery has plants that represent all ecosystem communities found in the San Geronimo watershed including oak woodland, grassland, redwood forest, and riparian forests. Seedlings grown in the nursery are sourced right from the Lagunitas Creek watershed so they are adapted to the local conditions. The plants are being grown specifically for restoration projects and habitat enhancements. If a property owner chooses to source plants from SPAWN’s nursery, we ask for a donation in exchange for plants to help with the operation of the nursery.

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The consultation will take approximately 1 to 2 hours to understand the homeowner’s concerns of the property, and discuss the concepts for habitat enhancement and restoration. If you are interested in taking up this opportunity please contact Preston Brown, Director of Watershed Conservation, at preston@tirn.net, or Audrey Fusco, Nursery Manager, at audrey@tirn.net.