Habitat projects on Yocha Dehe lands in the Capay Valley
The Yocha Dehe band of Wintun Indians holds about twenty-five thousand acres of land along the west bank of Cache Creek around the town of Brooks. Although better known for its casino, the community also has important natural resources to watch over. The tribe uses native plants for food and medicine, and for construction of items such as baskets. Unhappily, the land all along the creek has been occupied for decades by non-native weedy plants, especially giant reed (Arundo) and tamarisk. These species prevent establishment of desirable native plants and are much less suitable as habitat for birds than the natives.
Recognizing the benefits and uses of native plants, the tribe has set out to clear away the woody weeds, mainly by grinding them up, and planting natives in their stead. The ever-growing species list includes oaks, willows, cottonwood, elderberry, redbud, mulefat, mugwort, several grasses and sedges, and many more. Leading the effort are botanists from the Yolo County Resource Conservation District, the same entity that has done so much habitat restoration around the county. In spaces unsuitable for large-scale restoration, such as along roadsides and on the borders of crop fields, the RCD has established hedgerows of native plants, now totaling a mile’s worth, with more to come.
Natural resource management responsibilities on the property include teaching about the presence and importance of the local plant and animal life. For example, a field day for community members has been planned for April to include a morning bird walk near the creek and an afternoon visit to the habitat restoration site. Yolo Bird Alliance has agreed to lead the bird walk, in coordination with Audubon California. YBA intends to provide loaner binoculars and a few hard-cover birding field guides for the tribe to keep. Other cooperative ventures, such as placement of nest boxes for songbirds, seem feasible.
The natural resources staff for the tribe are Sarah Morgan and Nancy Ye, who graciously showed us around the property in February. Contact Sarah here. The lead person for the Yolo RCD work is Noreen Mabini, who can be reached here. Much more information about the tribe and its activities can be found at yochadehe.gov.
–Michael Perrone, Conservation Chair