Merced River in Mariposa County
August 22, 2015 - The Mariposa County Conservation Alliance (MCCA) is a collaboration of 13 local environmental and conservation organizations. Alliance organizations are committed to improving our environment by participating in projects such as forest health, watershed restoration, wildlife, fisheries, and plant habitat improvement, removal of invasive species, and recreation. At the August, 2015 meeting of the MCCA, discussion was held regarding several regional and local issues.
Tara Schiff, Mariposa County Community Development and Grant Coordinator, updated the Alliance 0n the County’s coordination efforts with the University of California, Merced. Len Nielson, CALFIRE, discussed the current fire and tree mortality situation.
Dr. Michael Martin, Director, Merced River Conservation Committee (MRCC), Mariposa reported to Alliance Members about two trail grant applications to federal funding agencies in August, 2015. The Merced River Conservation Committee is a Standing Committee of the Upper Merced River Watershed Council. Dr. Martin completed and submitted applications for the Merced River Canyon Trail project, restoration of 5 miles of abandoned Yosemite Valley Railroad bed between Briceburg and Emory on Bureau of Land Management property and another 8 miles between Emory and Redbud-Foresta Bridge on United States Forest Service property. A second aim of the project is to abate noxious and invasive weeds along the trail. Both federal agencies have pledged to collaborate on the projects, with volunteer and public outreach components. MRCC will also create a trail-specific, interactive guide and informational website, to better familiarize the public about this Mariposa County Trail. The MRCC core committee for this project includes experts in higher education, trails, historical and cultural significance, web-site construction, youth and outdoor education, and natural historyecology.
In addition, MCCA members provided updates on the various local and regional conservation projects.
Volunteers are need for the Tree Mortality Committee, trail building, bird counts, invasive species management (bullfrogs), and water quality monitoring on the Merced River.
For More information on the Mariposa County Conservation Alliance, please contact Ed Temple, 209-742-4918 or email at ert504@gmail.com.
Persons interested in the trail project are encouraged to contact Dr. Martin by email at mmartin@sti.net for further information.
