Habitat Restoration

Real Estate Design and Development

Interpretive Planning

Download a complete copy (pdf) of the Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve Land Management Plan and EIR:

Land Management Plan

Environmental Impact Report (EIR)

Maps (Figures):

Figure 1: Project Region

Figure 2: Project Site

Figure 3: Vandenberg Management Unit

Figure 4: Santa Lucia Management Unit

Figure 5: Purisima Hills Management Unit

Figure 6: Encina Management Unit

Figure 7: La Purisima Management Unit

Figure 8: Easements

Figure 11: Geology

Figure 12: Soils

Figure 13: Elevation & Hydrology

Figure 16: 1938 Aerial Photograph

Figure 17: Fire History

Figure 18: Structures and Infrastrucutures

Figure 19: Proposed Trail Plan

Figure 20: Survey Locations: Vegetation

Figure 21: Plant Communities

Figure 29: Survey Locations: Animals

Figure 30: Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Plants

Figure 31: Threatened, and Endangered Animals

Figure 32: Wildfire Response Plan & Fuel Management Segments

Appendices
Appendix 1: Plant species of the Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve

Appendix 2: Wildlife species at the Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve

Appendix 3a: Wildlife Survey Observations: 2004 GIS Meta Data

Appendix 3b: Bird Species observed during Point Counts

Appendix 4a: Museum Records of Rare, Threatened and Endangered Animals (pre-2004)

Appendix 4b: Museum Records of Non-Rare, Threatened and Endangered Animals
(pre-2004)

Appendix 5: California Natural Diversity Database Records

Appendix 6: Rapid Assessment Plot Data
Maritime Chaparral
Coast Live Oak Woodland and Forest
Coastal Scrub
Grassland
Riparian Forest and Scrub
Wetlands
Bishop Pine Forest

Appendix 7a: Bird Survey Point Count Form

Appendix 7b: Rapid Assessment Vegetation Field Sampling

Appendix 8: Environmental Impact Report “EIR”

Appendix 9: Detailed Project Description of Fuel Management Zone Segments

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Point Sal Management Plan       
Client: Santa Barbara County Parks Department
Date: 2001-2003

Condor was retained by the Santa Barbara County Parks Department to update the Point Sal Reserve Management Plan. The Point Sal Reserve is in northwestern Santa Barbara County. The primary objective of the Management Plan is to ensure protection of unique biological, cultural, scenic and open space resources while providing for appropriate public access. This entails development of a Reserve that provides public access and opportunities for recreation that are sensitive to and protective of the special attributes that draw people to Point Sal.

The 2002 Management Plan provides, for the first time, digitized and geo-rectified maps of biological and geological resources, and trails. Condor prepared these maps using a Geographic Information System (GIS) that enables the maps to illustrate other vital data as well such as property ownership, parcel lines, topography, erosion problems, roads and trails. The Management Plan describes the existing biological, cultural, recreational and geologic resources on the Reserve, the historic and existing patterns of public use, and the challenges of managing a remote area. The Plan also provides a set of management recommendations and an operating budget.  top

link to selected portion of Point Sal Management Plan
link to  selected GIS maps by Condor from Point Sal Management Plan

La Purisima Mission State Historic Park Ecosystem Characterization       
Client: Department of Parks and Recreation, California.

Condor has been retained by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, to conduct an ecosystem characterization of La Purisima Mission State Historic Park. Condor conducted field surveys to gather information on the ecological resources of the Park, including vegetation, rare plants, exotic species, birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals. The objective is to gain an understanding of the ecological interactions occurring on the Park. A major component of this project is creation of a GIS. top

Fire and Vegetation Management Plan   
Client: Capital Pacific Homes, California.

Condor performed scientific modelling for predicting fire behavior and designed a vegetation management program to contribute to the safety of life and property within the subdivision. The Plan describes fuel modification requirements within seven onsite vegetation management zones, and includes recommendations for fuel modification, fire department access, building design requirements, landscaping guidelines and a schedule for implementation and monitoring. A wildfire emergency response checklist for home owners is also provided. top

Rancho Dos Vistas: Archaeological, Historical and Biological Resources       
Client: The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County.

Condor Environmental prepared a resource assessment on this 1,400 acre ranch for the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County in 2001. The ranch is located on the ridge of the Santa Ynez Mountains between Refugio Pass and Gaviota Peak in the southwestern portion of Santa Barbara County. The purpose of the report was to present an overview of the archaeological, historic, and biological resources on the ranch so that the conservation value of a proposed conservation easement could be assessed.
link to Rancho Dos Vistas report

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click on a map for a larger view

El Capitan Canyon Campground
To assist the owners of the campground with improvements to the campground, Condor was part of the design team that modernized the facility and took actions to protect the riparian forest along El Capitan Creek.

Ojai Meadows Preserve: Wetland Restoration and Flood Control Plan   
Client: Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, California.

The Ojai Meadows Preserve is a 58-acre undeveloped property situated on the floor of the Ojai Valley. Condor Environmental conducted hydrological, botanical and wildlife studies in support of preparing a Wetland Restoration and Flood Control Plan. The Plan includes engineered, scientifically-based designs to decrease flooding on the adjacent roads and high school, and utilize the onsite hydrologic system to restore wetlands, oak savanna, native grassland and riparian habitats. top

Habitat Restoration and Flood Control Plan (Full Version) 54 mb
  Habitat Restoration and Flood Control Plan (Part 1) 12 mb
  Habitat Restoration and Flood Control Plan (Part 2) 11 mb
  Habitat Restoration and Flood Control Plan (Part 3) 23 mb
  Habitat Restoration and Flood Control Plan (Part 4) 8mb

Weed Eradication Plan   
Client: Capital Pacific Homes, California.

Condor Environmental developed a weed eradication plan for invasive weed species on a large residential development site. The primary objectives of the plan are to minimize the risk of and maximize the likelihood of success of onsite habitat restoration efforts. The plan prioritizes the species that are most important to remove and provides photographs and specimens and up-to-date information on their status. Most importantly it describes detailed weed control techniques for veldt grass, iceplant, pampass grass, milk thistle and others. top

Sycamore Hill Creek Biological Assessment and Restoration Plan    
Client: Santa Barbara Investment Company, California.

Condor Environmental managed the restoration of a riparian corridor on a creek side property just outside the City of Santa Barbara. Condor completed a biological assessment and separate restoration plan required as part of a California Department of Fish & Game §1603 Agreement. top

Summerland Heights Bunchgrass Preserve        
Client: Investec, California.

Condor Environmental managed the maintenance and restoration of a five-acre native grassland preserve in Summerland. top

Estate Planning for the Tappeneir Family        
Condor worked with the local government on behalf of the Tappeneir Family to enable the family to permanently protect the oak forest on the property and preserve the right to build a home on a non-sensitive area. Condor's recommendations were approved and now, both the family's future and the oak forest can be protected. top

River Terrace Homes       
Client: Coastal Vision.

Condor Environmental is part of the team currently designing a mixed-use development called "River Terrace" in Lompoc, California. Working closely with the City of Lompoc, Coastal Vision and Condor are designing an infill mixed-use development on one of the city's former industrial sites on 26 acres.  top

Providence Landing, Vandenberg Village        
Client: Coastal Vision.

Condor was instrumental in the design of the Providence Landing tract map and managed the project through the entitlement process.  It was approved by Santa Barbara County in 2002. click on a map for a larger view

Solid Waste Minimzation Plan 
Client: Capital Pacific Homes, California.

Condor Environmental designed a plan for minimizing construction waste as well as long-term occupancy waste. The plan describes methods for recycling waste materials and using recycled materials where feasible for the construction phases of the project. The plan then incorporates strategies for recycling smaller materials after the homes are built and occupied, such as glass, plastic, aluminum and gardening wastes, and includes recommendations for landscaping. top

Interpretive Signs   
Client: Capital Pacific Homes, California.

Condor Environmental designed nature interpretive signs specific to the Burton Mesa Reserve. The interpretive signs will be placed at the entrances to the preserve highlight the uniqueness of the Burton Mesa, the significance of this rare habitat and educate visitors about the natural history and human interactions with the natural environment. top

Santa Clara River Upper Tributaries Vegetation Mapping
Client: Amec and the Ventura County Resource Conservation District

The study area stretches from just west of the Los Angeles/ Ventura County line near Magic Mountain Park easterly to Soledad Canyon. This report presents the results of surveys on 68 drainages (14 principal tributaries to the river, 35 secondary tributaries, and 19 tertiary tributaries, having a combined total linear distance of approximately 181 miles, and a total mapped acreage of over 10,600 acres using observations from 148 data collection points. A Geographic Information System (GIS) was produced and a total of 50 vegetation maps illustrating vegetation community types, sensitive species locations, and arundo and tamarisk locations was produced accompanied by a written analysis. The principal watersheds are:

· Agua Dulce Canyon
· Aliso Canyon
· Bouquet Canyon
· Castaic Creek
· Chiquito Canyon
· Escondido Canyon
· Mint Canyon
· Oak Spring Canyon
· Potrero Canyon
· Salt Canyon
· San Francisquito Canyon
· San Martinez Grande Canyon
· Sand Canyon
· Soledad Canyon
· South Fork of the Santa Clara River

The purpose of the mapping effort was to identify and record the types of vegetation within the floodplains of the tributaries to the river and to record the locations of Arundo and Tamarisk infestations. These maps will guide the agencies charged with removal of these infestations as to locations of sensitive habitat and potential locations of sensitive species and therefore appropriate methods of Arundo and Tamarisk removal. top