Pismo Clarkia Habitat Enhancement and Management Study (Project)

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is issuing a Native Plant Protection Act scientific, educational, or management permit pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 786.9, subdivision (c) to The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County (Permit No. 2081(a)-26-009-RP) for a project to improve the viability and long-term resiliency of Pismo clarkia (Clarkia speciosa ssp. immaculata) by continuing research and implementing habitat management to enhance the population on the Pismo Preserve. The Project builds on an effort that began in 2021 that established eight research sites approximately 9.3 square meters in size and documented a positive response of Pismo clarkia to grazing by reducing competition from nonnative annual grasses. The Project will implement seasonally appropriate rotational cattle grazing across an approximately 70 acre grass and oak woodland area that includes the eight established research sites. Virtual fencing that uses GPS enabled livestock collars and digitally established boundaries to manage cattle distribution will be used across the broader pasture. Once Pismo clarkia germinates, physical exclusion fencing will be installed to prevent cattle around the eight occupied research sites. Seed collection may also occur annually during July from Pismo clarkia populations on the Pismo Preserve and from nearby CNDDB EOs 2 and 5 for the purpose of broadcasting to enhance the existing population. Collection will be limited to less than 10 percent of the fruiting population. Supplemental seed sowing is expected to begin in 2027 and will typically occur in mid- to late December before a forecasted large rain event. Seed will be mixed with clean sand, broadcast by hand, and lightly raked into the soil within the 10-acre expansion zone identified as suitable Pismo clarkia habitat. Additional habitat management may include hand weeding, string trimming, and targeted herbicide treatment within research sites. Pre-treatment surveys will be conducted and any Pismo clarkia plants identified will receive a no-herbicide buffer of at least 15 feet but typically 25 feet. Only hand weeding will occur within these buffers. LCSLO will conduct approximately six census surveys each spring at the eight research sites. Treatment and monitoring data will be analyzed to evaluate grazing and weed management effects.