Chimineas Ranch Foundation
Current Projects
The name of the game on Chimineas is "WATER".
In the past 10 years several projects have been implemented to increase the water available to wildlife while reducing the costs of pumping the water. These efforts are still on-going. Please see the following photo collection of these and other projects that have augmented water and habitat quality. All of these projects have benefited from volunteer labor and funding from one or more of our partners: CDA, RMEF, SCI, WTF, USDA, QU and many others. In all, over $667,500.00 in state and conservation organization grant funds have been spent on these projects to enhance the reserve!
TWIN TANKS
Two new tanks delivered and installed in June 2010. These tanks will greatly enhance the water storage capability at the ranch location known as "Twin Tanks". This is one of the main water storage sites for the ranch. The additional water will be used to provide new and reliable water sources for wildlife on the eastern portion of the ecological reserve.
( Perhaps we will have to change the name !?!?)
PARTNERS: DFG, CDA, CRF
28 TANK WILDLIFE WATER PROJECT
The Red Rock Canyon area of the southern half of the reserve has been without a year round water source for wildlife for over 15 years. This on-going project will repair an old pipeline and add new pipeline to supply an existing 500 gallon water trough that has been dry since the 1990's. Primary beneficiaries will be Tule elk, deer and bats.
PARTNERS: CRF, CDA
HOG WALLOW ELK POND
In May of 2009 volunteers installed over 3,000' of pvc pipe that connected a solar powered pump to the 5,000 gallon tank seen in the background. That tank provides the storage for a 500 gallon water trough and a 8,700 sq. foot wildlife pond in an area known as "Hog Wallow" on the north end of the ranch in the "CRP" area.
Our new pond is full and ready to help our wildlife survive the coming summer. Volunteers cleaned the basin and installed clay to line the pond. Lots of elk tracks around the perimeter along with many other smaller critters. An important source of water for elk, deer and bats along with the occasional wild pig.
PARTNERS: RMEF, CDA, CRF, DFG
GILLAM SPRINGS RIPARIAN RESTORATION
Volunteers fenced off approximatly 1 acre around Gillam Springs to allow for restoration of riparian habitat in 2008. One year later, volunteers returned to plant native willow and cottonwood stocks which have since become established. This project will benefit riparian vegetation, neotropical migrant birds, deer, bats, and pond turtles. An additional funded project with the USFS will provide additional water for USFS grazing lease operators that are impacted by this project.
PARTNERS: DFG & AUDUBON
SAN JUAN CREEK RIPARIAN RESTORATION
San Juan Creek is not only one of the pristine riparian zones on the ranch, it is the headwater for the Salinas River. Rain falling on the Chimineas flows down the San Juan all the way to Monterey Bay! In 2008 almost 4 miles of creek bed, including a 4 acre pond and several smaller year round pools, were fenced to enhance the riparian habitat. Over 200 acres were protected, 40 acres of which are blue oak woodland. This area will serve as a control for evaluating the impacts of controlled grazing in this riparian community. Primary beneficiaries of this project, aside from riparian vegetation, are deer, migrant birds and pond turtles.
PARTNERS: CDFG
ELK CANYON POND
Elk Canyon is located on the American Ranch unit of the reserve. On Chimineas' northern fence line, local wildlife ebb and flow across the two units with no respect for fences or boundries. In 2008 volunteers and DFG staff constructed a 2,800' pipeline from an existing water source and 1/2 acre pond. Primary beneficiaries of the pond are Tule elk, deer, pronghorn, wild pigs and bats.
PARTNERS: DFG, CDA & RMEF
YELLOW STAR THISTLE ERADICATION
Yellow star thistle is one of the nastiest invasive weeds in California. Poisonous to horses, it also can severely damage the eyes of deer, elk and livestock that forage in its clusters. It also impacts native plants by crowding them out and monopolizing the available moisture. Brought to South America by the Conquistadors of old, it is usually spread through contaminated feed and by vehicles. Over 100 acres of yellow star have been treated on the Chimineas in a successful effort to keep this noxious weed from gaining a foothold on the reserve. The process is painstaking and expensive, involving spraying and burning where possible.
PARTNERS: CDFG
JOHNSON FLAT
A new solar powered pump installed by DFG personnel and volunteers in a part of the south ranch known as "Johnson Flat" provided new life to a defunct windmill in 2007.
That new solar pump keeps this tank full and this 500 gallon trough ready for the thirsty critters on the south ranch. There is also an upland game guzzler nearby that is also supplied by this system.
PARTNERS: RMEF, DFG
CUYAMA RIVER RIPARIAN RESTORATION
The southern boundry of the reserve is not Highway 166 as most would presume but rather mid-stream in the Cuyama River stretching for several miles. In 2005 about 4 miles of riparian area was fenced to prevent habitat destruction and further tamarisk development in partnership with the neighboring ranch. Over 375 fragile acres were isolated while still allowing grazing to take place on the flood plain. Primary beneficiaries of the project aside from the riparian plants are deer, tricolored blackbirds, migrant birds, bats and red-legged frogs.
PARTNERS: CDFG, USDA, WTF & CLAUDIA RUSSELL
FEEDLOT CISTERN REPAIR
In 2003 the missing roof on this cistern was replaced. This tank is the primary water storage facility for the southern half of the reserve. The project reduced evaporation and limited contamination thus providing more water for a series troughs and ponds in the area. Primary beneficiaries are Tule elk, deer, spadefoot toads and bats.
PARTNERS: CDFG
EAGLE FIELD POND
In 2000 a previosly dry pond on the American unit of the reserve was lined with clay to seal the bottom and now provides a permanent 1/4 pond for wildlife. Primary beneficiaries are Tule elk, pronghorn, spadefoot toads and bats
PARTNERS: CDFG
MISCELLANEOUS PROJECTS
A number of other non-habitat related projects have taken place at the reserve headquarters area over the last few years. These involve yet more dollars and volunteer hours than have been listed above. Those major projects include:
1) Replacement of all the shake roofing with fire resistant materials.
2) Construction of an ADA accessable bedroom and bathroom.
3) Renovation of the entire HQ area electrical system.
In the past 10 years several projects have been implemented to increase the water available to wildlife while reducing the costs of pumping the water. These efforts are still on-going. Please see the following photo collection of these and other projects that have augmented water and habitat quality. All of these projects have benefited from volunteer labor and funding from one or more of our partners: CDA, RMEF, SCI, WTF, USDA, QU and many others. In all, over $667,500.00 in state and conservation organization grant funds have been spent on these projects to enhance the reserve!
TWIN TANKS
Two new tanks delivered and installed in June 2010. These tanks will greatly enhance the water storage capability at the ranch location known as "Twin Tanks". This is one of the main water storage sites for the ranch. The additional water will be used to provide new and reliable water sources for wildlife on the eastern portion of the ecological reserve.
( Perhaps we will have to change the name !?!?)
PARTNERS: DFG, CDA, CRF
28 TANK WILDLIFE WATER PROJECT
The Red Rock Canyon area of the southern half of the reserve has been without a year round water source for wildlife for over 15 years. This on-going project will repair an old pipeline and add new pipeline to supply an existing 500 gallon water trough that has been dry since the 1990's. Primary beneficiaries will be Tule elk, deer and bats.
PARTNERS: CRF, CDA
HOG WALLOW ELK POND
In May of 2009 volunteers installed over 3,000' of pvc pipe that connected a solar powered pump to the 5,000 gallon tank seen in the background. That tank provides the storage for a 500 gallon water trough and a 8,700 sq. foot wildlife pond in an area known as "Hog Wallow" on the north end of the ranch in the "CRP" area.
Our new pond is full and ready to help our wildlife survive the coming summer. Volunteers cleaned the basin and installed clay to line the pond. Lots of elk tracks around the perimeter along with many other smaller critters. An important source of water for elk, deer and bats along with the occasional wild pig.
PARTNERS: RMEF, CDA, CRF, DFG
GILLAM SPRINGS RIPARIAN RESTORATION
Volunteers fenced off approximatly 1 acre around Gillam Springs to allow for restoration of riparian habitat in 2008. One year later, volunteers returned to plant native willow and cottonwood stocks which have since become established. This project will benefit riparian vegetation, neotropical migrant birds, deer, bats, and pond turtles. An additional funded project with the USFS will provide additional water for USFS grazing lease operators that are impacted by this project.
PARTNERS: DFG & AUDUBON
SAN JUAN CREEK RIPARIAN RESTORATION
San Juan Creek is not only one of the pristine riparian zones on the ranch, it is the headwater for the Salinas River. Rain falling on the Chimineas flows down the San Juan all the way to Monterey Bay! In 2008 almost 4 miles of creek bed, including a 4 acre pond and several smaller year round pools, were fenced to enhance the riparian habitat. Over 200 acres were protected, 40 acres of which are blue oak woodland. This area will serve as a control for evaluating the impacts of controlled grazing in this riparian community. Primary beneficiaries of this project, aside from riparian vegetation, are deer, migrant birds and pond turtles.
PARTNERS: CDFG
ELK CANYON POND
Elk Canyon is located on the American Ranch unit of the reserve. On Chimineas' northern fence line, local wildlife ebb and flow across the two units with no respect for fences or boundries. In 2008 volunteers and DFG staff constructed a 2,800' pipeline from an existing water source and 1/2 acre pond. Primary beneficiaries of the pond are Tule elk, deer, pronghorn, wild pigs and bats.
PARTNERS: DFG, CDA & RMEF
YELLOW STAR THISTLE ERADICATION
Yellow star thistle is one of the nastiest invasive weeds in California. Poisonous to horses, it also can severely damage the eyes of deer, elk and livestock that forage in its clusters. It also impacts native plants by crowding them out and monopolizing the available moisture. Brought to South America by the Conquistadors of old, it is usually spread through contaminated feed and by vehicles. Over 100 acres of yellow star have been treated on the Chimineas in a successful effort to keep this noxious weed from gaining a foothold on the reserve. The process is painstaking and expensive, involving spraying and burning where possible.
PARTNERS: CDFG
JOHNSON FLAT
A new solar powered pump installed by DFG personnel and volunteers in a part of the south ranch known as "Johnson Flat" provided new life to a defunct windmill in 2007.
That new solar pump keeps this tank full and this 500 gallon trough ready for the thirsty critters on the south ranch. There is also an upland game guzzler nearby that is also supplied by this system.
PARTNERS: RMEF, DFG
CUYAMA RIVER RIPARIAN RESTORATION
The southern boundry of the reserve is not Highway 166 as most would presume but rather mid-stream in the Cuyama River stretching for several miles. In 2005 about 4 miles of riparian area was fenced to prevent habitat destruction and further tamarisk development in partnership with the neighboring ranch. Over 375 fragile acres were isolated while still allowing grazing to take place on the flood plain. Primary beneficiaries of the project aside from the riparian plants are deer, tricolored blackbirds, migrant birds, bats and red-legged frogs.
PARTNERS: CDFG, USDA, WTF & CLAUDIA RUSSELL
FEEDLOT CISTERN REPAIR
In 2003 the missing roof on this cistern was replaced. This tank is the primary water storage facility for the southern half of the reserve. The project reduced evaporation and limited contamination thus providing more water for a series troughs and ponds in the area. Primary beneficiaries are Tule elk, deer, spadefoot toads and bats.
PARTNERS: CDFG
EAGLE FIELD POND
In 2000 a previosly dry pond on the American unit of the reserve was lined with clay to seal the bottom and now provides a permanent 1/4 pond for wildlife. Primary beneficiaries are Tule elk, pronghorn, spadefoot toads and bats
PARTNERS: CDFG
MISCELLANEOUS PROJECTS
A number of other non-habitat related projects have taken place at the reserve headquarters area over the last few years. These involve yet more dollars and volunteer hours than have been listed above. Those major projects include:
1) Replacement of all the shake roofing with fire resistant materials.
2) Construction of an ADA accessable bedroom and bathroom.
3) Renovation of the entire HQ area electrical system.
