Project Location: Marin County, California: Point Reyes National Seashore, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Marin Municipal Water District, and Marin County Open Space District.

Project Summary

The Northern Spotted Owl is the well-known symbol of the controversy over the effects of logging. The Marin County population of this federally threatened sub-species in one of the densest even though it is located at the southern limit of the range. Much of the local forest was logged 50-100 ago and is now re-growing in permanent public ownership. Although logging is not a threat to this population, other human activities such as development, noise disturbance and pesticide poisoning do impact these birds.

Our current research project addresses these human threats by locating and monitoring nests and promptly communicating these results to local land managers. USFWS rules require that land management activities do not harm or harass owls or their habitat. Our data have resulted in better placement of new trails, timing of road and trail maintenance activities (mowing and grading) around nesting season, seasonal closure of shooting ranges near nesting owls, preservation of individual nest trees, and determination of owl activity centers to help with responsible placement of housing sites. Our habitat analysis has broadened concept of "potential habitat" locally and expanded where protections are applied.

Contact: Renee Cormier