Grassland Conservation Study in Cannabis-impacted areas of the Eel River Watershed

The project centers on a two-year ecological study in the Eel River Watershed of California, examining how cannabis cultivation affects native grassland biodiversity, specifically targeting soil-dwelling arthropods, soil microbiota, and native grass diversity. Twelve study plots are established—six on abandoned cannabis cultivation sites located on private lands and six on undisturbed areas within the 4,450-acre Angelo Coast Range Reserve managed by the University of California, Berkeley. Each plot is equipped with a CEMAF monitoring station comprising two sound recorders, a trail camera, and a wildlife-friendly drift fence to capture ecological data. Soil samples are collected bi-monthly between April and October over the duration of the study, with all equipment and materials fully removed upon project completion. The research is conducted under the California Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Framework and aims to quantify the ecological degradation caused by cannabis cultivation, assess the ability of three native grass species to restore below-ground biodiversity, and generate actionable data to guide future land restoration strategies while fostering community engagement in grassland conservation. The University of California, Berkeley is the lead organization, with Raphael Breines serving as the primary point of contact, and the work is administered under CEQA categorical exemptions for minor land alterations and information collection. No formal federal contracting elements such as FAR clauses, pricing data, payment details, or procurement evaluation criteria are present, as the activity is framed as a research and monitoring initiative rather than a traditional federal procurement.