Bufferlands Management
With more than 2,100 acres of open space, the Bufferlands requires a team of dedicated natural resource specialists to manage the grasslands, wetlands, and riparian forests that provide thriving habitat for more than 245 species of birds, 25 species of mammals, and 20 species of fish. Within this list are numerous special status species.
2,100+ Acres
of Bufferlands
Management Practices
As managers of wildlife habitat, it is important to know and understand the health of our ecosystems. Our team continually monitors our habitats and wildlife populations, performing plant and animal surveys to track changes, determine trends, and update our management plans, all to ensure a viable ecosystem for future generations.
Since much of the Bufferlands once consisted of farmland, many of the native habitats were lost or degraded. Over the years, we have been committed to restoring and rehabilitating these natural resources. To date, we have restored hundreds of acres of wetlands, riparian forests, and native grasslands.
SacSewer continually works with our farming partners concerning agricultural operations that benefit wildlife on the Bufferlands. For example, cattle grazing has been used to enhance areas for the western burrowing owl, where vegetation would otherwise become too thick for these small raptors to hunt.
Other farmed areas provide foraging and nesting areas for coyotes, northern harriers, the threatened Swainson’s hawk, and a host of other bird and mammal species.
In addition to wildlife and habitat work, our team is committed to public education. Throughout the year, we host public tours and events that offer fun opportunities for people to enjoy the Bufferlands first-hand and learn more about what we do to preserve this precious open space and wildlife habitat.
Implementing Environmental Protections
The Bufferlands team is also responsible for ensuring that threatened species and habitats on the Bufferlands not only survive but thrive under the right conditions.
This means that our land management practices must go hand in hand with vigilant compliance with local, state, and federal regulations that apply to the Bufferlands. For example, many species and habitats found on the Bufferlands have special protection status according to the Federal Endangered Species Act, the California Endangered Species Act, the California Environmental Quality Act, and other local regulations.
The most common threatened species we work with on the Bufferlands include Swainson’s hawk, giant garter snake, burrowing owl, Valley elderberry longhorn beetle, and vernal pool shrimp. Protected habitats include wetlands, vernal pools, and riparian forests.
Our team often provides assistance and guidance during SacSewer’s planning of capital improvement projects throughout Sacramento County.
On large infrastructure projects, for example, we work with SacSewer engineers to perform early environmental assessments and help identify avoidance strategies and potential impacts to sensitive natural resources. We work closely through project design and even provide daily environmental monitoring during construction.
Bufferlands Resources
The purpose of the Bufferlands Master Plan is to establish a long-term, cost-effective management direction for the Bufferlands that will maintain the existing buffer zone, provide for future expansion and changes in operation of the EchoWater Resource Recovery Facility and protect and enhance the area’s environmental resources. The master plan will provide guidelines and policies for alternative land uses, for visitor use and access, and for vegetation and wildlife management.
