Double Row Hedgerow - Road 31

Yolo County Resource Conservation District (RCD), in collaboration with the landowner, is installing a two-row 500-foot-long hedgerow with approximately 169 plants along the edge of a farm field. The native plant hedgerows will consist of trees and shrubs with pods of herbaceous flowering plants. Native shrubs will form the main structure of the hedgerow with native trees, forbs, and bunchgrasses interspersed among them. The hedgerow will provide wildlife and pollinators an improved and more native habitat. Within the requirements for providing wildlife habitat improvements, appearance was also a consideration when choosing species per owner's request. Smaller shrubs and forbs will alternate with larger shrubs and trees. Hedgerow installation will enhance unused farm edges by creating wildlife habitat. Hedgerows are documented to increase carbon sequestration and enhance water infiltration and water quality. Enhancing unused farm edges throughout the property develops important wildlife corridor habitat connectivity and serves to increase species diversity and abundance. Hedgerow implementation is conducted using hand tools with minor soil disturbance. The Yolo County RCD conducted a biological review, which determined that there are no special status species documented within the site footprint. Numerous other species are documented within a one-to-five-mile buffer of the site but these species will not be negatively impacted by the project as it Will involve minimal ground disturbance and implementation of beneficial habitat. Container plants will be installed by hand using shovels to dig the holes for planting. Implementation of this hedgerow is expected to occur during the fall or winter season and will not impact special status plants or wildlife. The goal of the hedgerow is to create beneficial habitat for native species of wildlife and pollinators by providing floral resources, forage, and shelter in an area that is predominantly agricultural lands. Hedgerow implementation is expected to occur during the month of November 2025, but long-term maintenance is expected to continue until the summer of 2027. Work may occur during nesting bird season. If work commences during nesting bird season {February 1st to September 15th), the project area will be surveyed for nesting birds no more than one week prior to operations by a qualified biologist. If nesting birds are located, the Yolo County Resource Conservation District will take measures that avoid impacts and are consistent with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, prior to project activities.