Zayante Sand Hills Threats
Text by Jodi McGraw and Caitlin Bean
Photos by Mark Oatney

Ecosystem
The Zayante Sand Hills ecosystem is endemic to inland marine sand deposits in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Recognized as one of the most significant biological treasures in the State of California, the sandhills support a unique community of plants and animals found only in Santa Cruz County. Occurring in Ben Lomond, Mt. Hermon, Scotts Valley and Bonny Doon, this complex vegetation mosaic is dominated by maritime coast Ponderosa Pine forest and northern maritime chaparral.

Threats
Habitat loss due to sand mining, urban development, fire suppression, recreation uses, and invasion of exotics, especially Scotch Broom and Acacias.

Loss of this unique, fragile habitat is extreme. Back in 1984, an unplublished report by Gilchrist and Associates estimate that 40 to 50% of the original Zayante soils acreage in the County has been eliminated and that an additional 20 to 25% was threatened with various land use change.

Conservation
Several patches of the sand hills ecosystem are protected. Protected stands are owned by entities such as California Department of Fish and Game, California Department of Parks and Recreation, Save the Redwoods League, and San Lorenzo Water District. Some sites have been protected through the recordation of a conservation easement required for project permitting.

SAND
The Sandhills Alliance for Natural Diversity (SAND) was formed to preserve our rare and unique sandhills habitat and inspire stewardship through scientific research, public education, and integrated land use planning. SAND participants come from a variety of backgrounds, and include landowners, biologists, planners, and other concerned citizens. SAND meets each month to discuss a variety of sandhills conservation issues. Participants help preserve sandhills habitat, lead community educational programs, conduct scientific research, and help direct management for sandhills habitat. SAND advises on many types of sandhills related projects, providing science-based information for successful conservation. In the spring, SAND leads guided walks to see the amazing wildflowers of the sandhills. For more information, please contact Jodi McGraw at (831) 338-1990 or jmmcgraw@socrates.berkeley.edu