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RECON biologists have been capturing amazing photos during the 2024 Spring Survey Season! We have completed surveys for Hermes copper butterfly, fairy shrimp, Quino checkerspot butterfly, coastal cactus wren, Crotch鈥檚 bumble bee, burrowing owl, shot hole borer (an invasive species), gold-spotted oak borer (an invasive species), and western spadefoot (toad).

Congratulations on Your Retirement
Michael Page, AICP

California Society for Ecological Restoration Conference Highlights

RECON was a sponsor of the 2024 SERCAL conference from May 8 to 10 held at the University of Redlands. Meagan Olson presented on Restoration for Multi-Species Benefits: The MAP Vernal Pool and Burrowing Owl Mitigation Project. Jacob Dioli and Jade Woll both presented posters (featured below), and Katy Chappaz was a Session Moderator for Public Access Connectivity. 

As the maintenance and monitoring contractor for UC San Diego Ecological Reserve, RECON provides annual maintenance recommendations for the open space areas. RECON works closely 亚星国际官方网站 Campus Planning to develop an annual approach to open space management, focusing on non-native species control, trash and debris removal, erosion control, and unauthorized use. Additionally, RECON provides recommendations for areas that may benefit from restoration activities, such as container plant installation, or develops restoration plans for areas needing a larger restoration effort to have a greater impact.

In collaboration 亚星国际官方网站 the , RECON restored 15 acres of coastal sage scrub and cactus scrub habitat in eastern San Diego County over the last two years. This grant-funded project has created suitable conditions for coastal cactus wren. Although coastal cactus wren is yet to be observed on-site, they have been observed in the vicinity, other native species such as San Diego horned lizard, Southern Pacific rattlesnake, and California kingsnake have been observed utilizing the restored habitat. Enhanced native cover and diversity have also led to increased insect and bird populations throughout the site.

RECON attended the California AEP 2024 conference, 鈥淟and to Sea: Cities of Tomorrow,鈥� from March 24 to 27 in Anaheim. The hot topic of discussion was the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the future of the environmental profession. Other interesting topics were the latest in wetland regulations under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, as presented by a representative of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; 鈥淟ithium Valley,鈥� regarding the boom in the demand for lithium for battery energy storage and what it means for the Imperial Valley; and the consideration of tribal cultural properties in project review, as presented by a panel of archaeologists, anthropologists, and Native American tribal representatives. RECON enjoyed reconnecting 亚星国际官方网站 colleagues, engaging in sessions and celebrations, and networking!