Marin Wildfire is committed to conducting vegetation management activities in an ecologically sound manner that is protective of sensitive resources such as rare, sensitive, and endangered species. Marin Wildfire complies with all applicable environmental regulations and will continue to work with its partners to protect resources in project areas and provide Marin residents with the tools needed to create defensible space around homes and properties in a way that protects Marin's biodiversity.
Vegetation management can provide both ecological benefits and play a crucial role in creating more wildfire-adapted communities and landscapes. Marin Wildfire and its Member Agencies work with environmental partners, land management agencies, wildlife biologists, botanists, geologists, archaeologists, Tribal representatives, residents, and many others to do just that. Best Practices for Vegetation Management
In 2021, Marin Wildfire worked in collaboration with environmental partners (Ecologically Sound Practices Partnership), as they developed a set of Ecologically Sound Practices to incorporate into its work. These guidelines were received by Marin Wildfire's Board in June of 2022. Marin Wildfire incorporated these guidelines into its Project Design and Implementation Features (PDIFs) which guide activities such as nesting bird surveys, botanical surveys, archeological surveys, etc. for core Measure C-funded vegetation management projects. For example, while many vegetation management activities are timed to take place outside of the nesting bird season, qualified biologists perform nesting bird surveys ahead of vegetation management activities that could disturb an active nest. Avoidance buffers are then established to avoid work that could disturb nesting activity. What vegetation is typically removed?
In a nutshell, we "keep the trees and pull the weeds."
More specifically, this means most work is done using small crews on footcarrying hand tools and consists of some or all of the following activities: - removal of much of the accumulated dead and down woody material (whileleaving some for wildlife habitat such as "snags" that don't pose ahazard to nearby homes); - removal of nonnative, invasive, fire hazardous vegetation (particularly French broom and other broom species as well asgorse); - pruning the lower branches of trees; and - thinning of fire hazardous native vegetation (such as small diameter tightly packed trees or diseased trees) where necessary.
Removal of large, healthy, native trees is not the focus of these projects. How is vegetation typically removed?
Most work is done by hand using small crews walking through project areas but some projects include mechanical equipment (such as mowers), prescribed herbivory (generally goat grazing), prescribed fire (including pile burning and broadcast burning), targeted herbicide use or other techniques as appropriate.
Does Marin Wildfire use herbicides?
While most vegetation management activities do not include the use of herbicides, it can be a useful tool where other methods to control non-native, invasive species are not feasible or effective. Typically, this includes dabbing triclopyr (Garlon 4 Ultra) with a sponge-like applicator onto freshly cut eucalyptus, black acacia, or other stumps to reduce regrowth for very aggressive, non-native, invasive species. The use of herbicide at a small scale in a targeted manner is consistent with the practices of many land management agencies and conservation/restoration organizations in Marin and the region beyond (see more information below). All herbicide is applied by a qualified professional consistent with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles. Marin Wildfire consistently reviews scientific literature to ensure herbicides are used in a manner that most effectively addresses flammable invasive vegetation while preventing unwanted vegetation, soil, and water exposure. No current Measure C projects involve the use of glyphosate or large-scale spraying of herbicide.
