BRBNA Partnership will meet    Friday, June 11, at 10am - 1pm 
agenda updated about one week in advance of next meeting
Location: 
 BLM's Walker Ridge
  Meet at the first open area off of Walker Ridge Road, near the intersection with Highway 20. Walker Ridge Road is well marked and located on the north side of Highway 20. The open area is on your left (west), not more than 50 yards down Walker Ridge Road.  Let Suzanne know if you need more specific directions.
Agenda:
Tour and talk about Walker Ridge. The area is rich in biodiversity, with nearby Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), and is the site of proposed wind energy development.  The Partnership has followed the wind energy proposals for this area for a number of years and it is an issue of major concern to many of our partners.  While the Partnership takes no position on the proposal, we seek to continue to provide a forum for information about the area, its important conservation values and the status of wind energy development efforts.  On hand to share information will be:
  • Rich Burns, Field Manager for BLM in the Ukiah field office
  • Ashley Conrad-Saydah, Renewable Energy Project Manager, CA State Office, BLM
  • Ellen Dean (UCD herbarium curator and regional flora specialist)
  • Craig Thomsen (Rangeland Ecologist at U.C. Davis)
The focus of the tour and talk will be:
  1. The habitat and biodiversity values of Walker Ridge and efforts to protect them.
  2. Proposal for Walker Ridge wind energy development:  The process by which Walker Ridge has become a wind energy site, where we are in that process and what steps remain.  What are the opportunities to influence the process?
  3. Bigger picture of wind energy development around the state/nation - how the environmental community is addressing conflicts between protecting habitat values and the need for green energy.  Where does Walker Ridge fit into this picture? 
Please RSVP to help us prepare.  And bring a sack lunch.
MORE about participation in the partnership...
Contacts:
  Suzanne Easton
  707-265-9205
or
  Ray Krauss
  707-539-4330 Office
  707-539-2072 Fax
2010 meetings: June 11, 10 am Conservation Partnership BLM's Walker Ridge
  Mar 12, 10 am Conservation Partnership Schoolhouse Museum, Lower Lake
2009: 
 Nov 13, 10 am Conservation Partnership More Creek OS Park, St. Helena
  Sept 11, 10 am Conservation Partnership Winters Community Center
  June 12, 10 am Conservation Partnership Winters Community Center
  Apr 10, 10 am Conservation Partnership Winters Community Center
Feb 13, 10 am Conservation Partnership Winters Community Center