Village Ecosystems

09/11/2025

We found five species and killed one.

Fish rescue with Salmonid Restoration Federation and California Department of Fish and Wildlife!

This is the project I first envisioned with Eel River Recovery Project, and designed with Stillwater Sciences at Black Oak Ranch Community Black Oak Ranch. VanMeter Construction is our local general contractor on this job. Great partners all around!

Funded by the Wildlife Conservation Board of California to enhance Salmonid habitat, this project stores water off-stream and catches rainwater to offset withdrawls. This allows the landowner to ‘forbear’ from summer use, leaving water in the creek for coho, chinook, trout, frogs, sticklebacks, and salamander.

(The fish we killed was the invasive pikeminnow. Other pikeminnow’s looked like the sticklebacks, and were relocated just in case the ID was wrong).

The contractor had a generator in the creek pumping it low for us. These are the types of things you can’t do unless CDFW is in the creek with you, and it was an honor to be able to do this together! I think we even found one chinook, despite it being summer!

09/05/2025

The pond at Black Oak Ranch is almost built; it’s going in fast! I was doing the pollution prevention monitoring last night, and making adjustments to already implemented BMPs. Our contractor is doing a great job!

I also walked down to the creek to ID the pools for fish rescue and relocation before we start construction in the creek. Fish and Wildlife will come Wednesday to help us with this part of the project.

Village Ecosystems has been doing this project in collaboration with the Salmonid Restoration Federation and Stillwater Sciences Stillwater - what great partners!

The purpose of the project is to conserve water, enhance salmon habitat, and improve climate resiliency, and was developed in collaboration with the Eel River Recovery Project.

04/16/2025

Installing a rainwater catchment system at Rancho Navarro firehouse in collaboration with the

11/02/2024

In the field with the Resource Conservation District of Mendocino County on lower Tenmile Creek.

02/18/2024

Using a chainsaw is such fun. If you prefer to learn how with other women, sign up due this workshop!

Join us on March 9th from 9 am - 5 pm for a workshop designed to provide a safe and welcoming learning environment for women who want to learn the art of using a chainsaw. Whether you are a beginner or have some experience, this workshop is your chance to gain confidence in using this powerful tool.

In this course, you'll learn the fundamentals of chainsaw safety, handling, and maintenance. Don't worry if you've never held a chainsaw before – our friendly instructors will teach you everything you need to know.

Located in the beautiful Tan Oak Park in Laytonville, our workshop provides the perfect setting to immerse yourself in nature while acquiring new skills. While we encourage students to bring any equipment they may have (such as chainsaws, safety goggles, gloves, ear protection, hard hat, and chaps) so they can get comfortable with their own tools, we can provide loaner tools and PPE. Lunch and a light breakfast will be included at no extra cost.

This workshop is intended for women-identifying individuals. We will strive to foster a safe and supportive learning environment and will ask that all participants respect that. Spaces are limited, so make sure to secure your spot today. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to connect with like-minded women and empower yourself in the world of chainsaws. If spots are full, sign-up to join the waitlist as we may run this workshop again in the future. So, grab your work gloves, put on your safety goggles, and get ready to unleash your inner sawyer!

REGISTER HERE: https://Womens-Chainsaw-Workshop.eventbrite.com

01/27/2024

Stormeater is filtered by the landscape to prevent contamination of streams and rivers. Bioswales, infiltration basins, and rain gardens what we use for treatment. Oils are digested by microorganisms, while other contaminates are captured in the basins. Groundwater is recharged.

08/10/2023

A day in the field on Cahto Creek. In this photo, I'm explaining to agency staff part of our vision for the restoration of this wet meadow and stream. This is part of a larger project, that Village Ecosystems is involved with, led by Eel River Recovery Project, to restore streams through sediment reduction, forest health, and water conservation. This is actually our little baby project.

I have been learning a ton about the various restoration permitting pathways and the associated CEQA exemptions. Two of our larger projects are under the new Statewide Restoration General Order, and this one is through the Small Habitat Restoration Act (which has been around for a while). It is a good learning curve to be on because restoration is my favorite work.

It is enjoyable doing grant work so that the landowners aren't stressed and don't have to pay for the project. All that regulatory work I did over the past 8 years was stressful. There is a much different feel when agency staff is there to help a project succeed instead of telling people to do things they can't afford. More of this, please.



Anna Birkas

07/15/2023

Working with brush like this is what I, Anna, do. It is literally one of my favorite things!

“It’s time to take our fire fears and connect that with our water woes!” – Brock Dolman As we thin and limb our forests and landscapes towards fire fuels reduction, ... Read more

06/27/2023

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/01/california-climate-extreme-weather/

New research shows that precipitation variability is decreasing and there is potential for more destructive flooding in the future.

06/18/2023

5-year post-fire, recovering landscape.

03/21/2023

Russian River in Ukiah