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We are currently developing a Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) to guide our resource management efforts on all 34 Marin County Open Space District (MCOSD) preserves. The VMP will comprehensively guide the management of MCOSD lands for the purposes of maintaining and increasing biodiversity, connectivity, and resiliency of resources, while reducing the risk of wildfire. The VMP will incorporate the most recent science regarding management of fuels and biodiversity.

We are undertaking this important project to develop the tools and strategies needed to address increasing fire fuel loads and the march of exotics onto MCOSD lands, as well as to develop the tools and strategies needed to improve efforts to preserve and enhance native species and habitats. In addition, MCOSD lands are the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) surrounding many Marin communities. Through the development of the VMP, we will improve collaborative partnerships with Marin County Fire and local fire districts and agencies.

The VMP will guide us in meeting the first goal of our Strategic Plan: To Protect and Restore Our Lands.

• Manage MCOSD lands for vegetation biodiversity, connectivity, and resiliency.
• Coordinate vegetation and fire management actions to reduce wildfire risk, increase public safety and promote vegetation biodiversity, connectivity, and resiliency.
• Establish, prioritize, and implement vegetation and fire management actions and best management practices on all MCOSD preserves..
• Engage the public and foster community stewardship through volunteerism, education, and recreational opportunities.
• Increase MCOSD’s capacity, resources, and partnerships to achieve these goals.

• Sustainable and cost effective strategies for addressing wildland fire risk through fuel reduction, defensible space and fuel breaks based on vegetation type, slope, aspect, and other site conditions.
• Priorities for vegetation management and fuels reduction.
• Performance measures and monitoring protocols to enable adaptive management.
• Strengthened partnerships with local fire agencies.
• Increased community awareness and consensus regarding vegetation management on MCOSD lands.

Development of a VMP is consistent with the following:

• MCOSD’s Resource Management Framework (September 2008)
• Marin County Department of Parks and Open Space Strategic Plan (June 2008)
• MCOSD’s Policy Review Initiative (May 2005)

Community involvement is critical to the success of the VMP process. We will host public workshops at different stages of the project to convey information, and to solicit input and answer questions. This is the place to find information about the VMP project including public workshop dates, locations, and agendas as well as related documents as they become available.

Throughout the development of the VMP, we will work closely with County Fire, and other partners and entities, including local fire departments, cities, and stakeholders to ensure information sharing and participation in the development and implementation of the VMP.

Contact Natural Resources Program Manager Mischon Martin at (415) 499-6387 or mmartin@co.marin.ca.us for more information.