Type: report

Article abstract: Introduction The Kelly Ranch Habitat Conservation Area (Preserve) is an 63 acre open space set aside by the Kelly Land Company as mitigation for impacts to natural habitat as part of the Kelly Ranch development. The limits of the Preserve (Figures 1-3) have been approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) with the primary goal of protecting habitat of the federally listed coastal California gnatcatcher, as well as other sensitive plant and wildlife species, and sensitive vegetation communities. As part of the open space conservation agreements of the Kelly Ranch property, Kelly Land Company was required to name and endow a natural land management organization to manage the sites resources in perpetuity. The USFWS, CDFG and other wildlife agencies and organizations have determined that merely setting lands aside and preventing development is not sufficient to preserve and protect biological integrity. Identifying the critical processes and elements that need protection, then planning, budgeting and funding for sustaining these processes and elements in perpetuity is the essence of long-term land protection. The Center for Natural Lands Management was given the management responsibility to the Preserve and received title and an endowment in March of 2002. This document is to provide a comprehensive, cost-effective management plan that states the information, management and funding requirements necessary to ensure an ecologically sustainable conservation area. The plan will outline the Preserve's resources and characteristics and will provide a brief overview of general tenets of conservation biology for natural areas management as it applies to this Preserve. The plan follows guidelines and management practices deemed acceptable by the Center for Natural Lands Management. This plan will also suffice as the first year annual work plan for the Preserve.