New trail development should avoid coastal areas and riparian habitat

Many of the species included within the Conservation Criteria have suitable habitat near the coast and along creeks on the preserve.

For example, the coastal area around Government Point provides critical habitat for Gaviota tarplant (Deinandra increscens ssp. villosa), while riparian habitat along Jalama Creek supports species such as the California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii).

Cumulative ecological impact to Conservation Criteria on the Dangermond Preserve.

All trails pass through areas of both low and high ecological impact

While some trails have a higher ecological impact than others, there are not necessarily “go” or “no-go” trails on the preserve.

The Jalachichi Pond Trail, for example, starts in a low impact area but moves into high impact areas for three of the four Conservation Criteria: sensitive vegetation, sensitive raptors, and sensitive amphibians.

Ecological Impact along the Jalachichi Pond Trail.

Trail ecological impact depends on seasonality and TNC's priorities

Trails on the Dangermond Preserve ranked by ecological impact.

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Example: The Jalachichi Oak Grove Trail is the least impactful trail during the spring and summer, but has a moderately high impact in the fall and winter. This is in part because the Jalachichi Oak Grove Trail mostly avoids areas with sensitive vegetation — one of the Conservation Criteria assigned a high weight during spring and summer months.

Tradeoffs must be made to meet the needs of all students

Trail Length: 1 mile

Landmarks: Government Point, Point Conception

Vegetation Communities: Menzie's Goldenbush Scrub, Brownheaded Rush Seeps, Seaside Golden Yarrow Patches, Semi-natural Stands

Ecological Impact: Low

Coastal Bluffs Trail

Trail Length: 4.5 miles

Landmarks: Wells

Vegetation Communities: Coast Live Oak Woodland, California Sagebrush Scrub, Coyote Brush Scrub, Deer Weed Scrub, Menzie's Golden Brush Scrub, Purple Sage Scrub, Annual Grassland

Ecological Impact: Moderate

Army Camp Loop 1 Trail

Example of two trail options for a fall environmental education program on the Dangermond Preserve.

In the example above, the lower impact trail may be too easy for middle and high school-level students who are interested in a more challenging hike. The Coastal Bluffs Trail has little change in elevation and is under one mile round-trip. Older students may prefer the Army Camp Loop 1 trail, which is about 4.5 miles round-trip. The tradeoff in using this trail is that while it meets the needs of older students, it has a higher ecological impact than the Coastal Bluffs Trail.

A Case Study in Protected Area Management

Well-planned access on the Dangermond Preserve will help to conserve native biodiversity while providing students from Lompoc, CA with opportunities to engage with nature and learn about local plants and wildlife. Although the Dangermond Preserve is a unique area, the methods used in this project offer an approach that land managers elsewhere can use to balance the trade-offs of environmental education in protected areas. Notably, developing a management tool to identify trails that meet student needs while avoiding or reducing ecological impacts can help land managers make informed decisions about trail use.

Photo credit: The Nature Conservancy