Land Trust secures $7M grant to pay off Walt Ranch debt
The Land Trust of Napa County not only owns Walt Ranch, it will own the 2,300-acre property free and clear of debt. A $7 million grant awarded Thursday by the state Wildlife Conservation Board will make the difference. The Land Trust earlier this year bought the ranch in the hills between the city of Napa ... Read more
Land Trust Helps Open Space District Create New Park
The Land Trust of Napa County is pleased to announce the purchase of 42-acres in the Mayacamas Mountains. The new acquisition connects Mount Veeder Road to The Cove, a 160-acre property owned by Napa Open Space District. This public park did not have optimal access. As part of this partnership between the Land Trust and ... Read more
Sheep grazing helps reduce wildfire risk and restore native habitat at Wantrup Preserve
Since 2017, The Land Trust has been removing the heavy buildup of weed thatch from non-native annual plant dry matter on the Wantrup Preserve. The project has both fuels reduction and habitat restoration objectives and this year, the dry season grazing has just begun again. Goats and sheep are used to remove the thatch, which ... Read more
Fun Fact Friday–“10 Terrible Weeds: #10 Harding Grass”
Harding Grass is a non-native, invasive very large perennial bunchgrass found widely through California that can grow to 8 feet tall. It can quickly outcompete native grasses in its surrounding area. Deer and rabbits won’t eat it and horses may nibble green shoots but dislike the remainder. Goats will eat the entire plant but aren’t ... Read more
Fun Fact Friday–“10 Terrible Weeds: #9 Hedge Parsley”
Hedge Parsley is a member of the carrot family, showing up in early spring and imitating its edible cousin in its fern-like delicate leaves and early growth, but don’t be fooled. This deceptively innocent appearance is followed by sweet-looking white flowers on stalks that can range in height from two to five feet tall. The ... Read more
Fun Fact Friday–“10 Terrible Weeds: #8 Bristly Oxtongue”
Bristly Oxtongue, is an annual to biennial plant that can reach heights of 3 feet tall, but also grows low to the soil. It’s a newer aggressive invasive transplant at the Preserve that thrives during the winter and warm weather. Its yellow flower and seeds are similar to the dandelion but what makes this plant ... Read more
Fun Fact Friday–“10 Terrible Weeds: #7 Bull Thistle”
We’ve come to our last thistle, the bull thistle. Like other varieties, this noxious weed is highly invasive and outcompetes native plants and disturbs natural habitat for animals. It grows over summer months where its first-year growth is seen in the form rosettes with no reproductive ability. During its first-year, the weed establishes into the ... Read more
Fun Fact Friday –“10 Terrible Weeds: #5 Maltese Star Thistle”
Does this look like a repeat post on thistles? Actually it’s not! While similar looking to the yellow star thistle, this terrible weed is its cousin, the Maltese star thistle which was first discovered in the Far Meadow on Archer Taylor Preserve about the time yellow star thistle eradication was completed. Maltese star thistle is ... Read more
Walt Ranch is Now Permanently Protected!
The Land Trust of Napa County is pleased to report that we closed the acquisition of the 2,300-acre Walt Ranch. This has been a major undertaking for us and we’re excited to have completed this purchase. $7M of the funding came from loans. Our board was comfortable taking on this debt because of the importance ... Read more
Fun Fact Friday –“10 Terrible Weeds: #4 Yellow Star Thistle”
Thistles, if only the softness of its moniker could equal that of its actual traits. Sadly, yellow star thistle is well known in Napa County for its thorny invasive presence. This thorny weed loves to inhabit open hills, grasslands, woodlands, fields, roadsides and rangelands. It is considered one of the most serious rangeland weeds in ... Read more
