Aerial view of Novato from Loma Verde Open Space Preserve

Please join the North Marin Unit in welcoming Mike Swezy, Vegetation Management Program Manager for Novato Fire Protection District to describe the Novato Shaded Fuel Break to our Novato members.

Bel Marin Keys Acquisition

Please join the Land Use, Transportation and Water committee in welcoming Linda Tong, of the California State Coastal Conservancy and the newest manager of the Bel Marin Keys

marsh restoration project. Now starting Phase 2 of the 1600 acre project, we'll see Phase 1 accomplishments

and review Phase 2.

The Bay Model Pollinator Garden in Sausalito

AGENDA

• The importance of urban areas for biodiversity. Speaker: Paul da Silva
• The 2019 Biodiversity Study in San Rafael. Speaker: Bonnie Morse
• Introduction to the MCL Draft Biodiversity Policy.

Marin Conservation League supports a robust coordinated effort by Marin County and its towns, cities, and agencies to accelerate building electrification. The County and other jurisdictions have now drafted model reach codes requiring electrification and electric vehicle infrastructure in new construction, and incentivizing electrification when renovating existing buildings. MCL sent a letter to the County urging adoption of the codes, and the County did so on November 15. Similar letters were sent to the eleven Marin cities and towns. As of November 21, four of these have adopted the codes for new construction, and several others are likely to do so by early 2023. The code relating to renovations and other measures to electrify existing buildings remain under consideration.

Call the MCL office for details at 415-485-6257

How will the dairies and cattle ranches operate on Point Reyes National Seashore (PRNS) and the northern district of Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) in the future? More to the point, how can the ranch operations be compatible with preserving ecological functions, coastal ecosystems, water and air quality conditions, endangered and threatened species and other native species, and have continuous respect for the indigenous peoples that represent more than 5,000 years of human habitation? The public is asking these questions to ensure that natural and cultural values of Point Reyes will be preserved. The more recent 150-year history of dairy and cattle ranching, evident in the parks’ historic landscape, is an integral part of that human continuum. The National Park Service (NPS) must manage for the ranchers to remain viable and also ensure the conservation of these values. 

MCL supports and encourages the following activities:

• Ensuring the mitigation measures are diligently applied.
• Supporting strong funding for ranch plans, best management practices (BMPs) and monitoring to ensure compliance with all the recommended mitigations.
• Insuring the inclusion of Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria in management decisions.
• Identifying water supply management in light of drought issues and the need for funding of a long-term solution.
• Using land removed from ranching as an opportunity to research how to rewild a Point Reyes pasture and supporting the funding of such adaptive management.



Read the full article in the newsletter.

Marin Housing Element

MCL is monitoring the progress of the Housing Element updates throughout Marin. The outcome will be critical in the current effort to update the 1995 MCL housing policy position statement.

• Tuesday December 6, 5:00 PM or thereafter: Board of Supervisors Hearing - Housing Element Sites.
• Monday December 12, 5:00 PM or thereafter: Planning Commission Hearing - Housing and Safety Elements Countywide Plan/Development Code Amendments

Marin Biodiversity Corridor Initiative

Home Ground Habitats – Novato

Every Person Can Do Something!

People everywhere are now realizing that it is up to all of us to save our planet’s biological diversity. Traditional parks and preserves that “spare” nature play extremely important roles, but they are not enough. Agricultural, suburban and urban lands can and must contribute to the overall goal while satisfying important important human needs such as food and housing. In other words, they can “share” nature. Recent research has found that when they do this, not only do other species benefit, but human health is improved.

Native Plant Educators Needed!

CNPS collaborated with the Theodore Payne Foundation to develop a California Native Plant Landscaper Certificate Training Program on choosing, planting and maintaining native plant gardens. The landscapers and gardeners who graduate from the program are certified by CNPS.

They are now rolling out the program in Northern California but they need instructors!

If you are interested in being an instructor, please get in touch with Maya Argaman (margaman@cnps.org) and Ann-Marie Benz (abenz@cnps.org) on the horticulture team.

Click links to register.

MCL North Marin Unit Meeting

Wednesday, Nov 30, 12:30 - 2:00 pm

Chair: Susan Stompe

MCL Land Use and Transportation Committee Meeting

Wednesday, Dec 7, 10:00 am - noon

Chair: Susan Stompe

MCL Parks and Open Space Committee Meeting

Thursday, Dec 8, 3:00 - 5:00 pm

Chair: Terri Thomas