Wildlife Management
Sebastopol city limits include parts of the Laguna de Santa Rosa Wetlands Preserve, which is an important stopover for thousands of birds migrating along the Pacific Flyway and is home to a wide variety of life: more than 200 species of birds ranging from bald eagles to hummingbirds, rare and endangered salmon, steelhead, salamanders and plants, mountain lion, bobcat, coyote, mink, badger, and river otter, according to the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation.
Public Works staff may come in contact with wildlife during the performance of their duties. Biological management protocols are laid out in the City’s Laguna Wetlands Preserve Restoration and Management Plan.
The City contracts with qualified organizations to conduct annual biological resource training for Public Works staff that includes protection measures for projects within the Laguna de Santa Rosa and other sensitive areas within the City. Training includes:
- A brief review of the Laguna Wetlands Preserve Restoration and Management Plan
- Relevant measures to assist the City with biological resource protection, including the protection of nesting birds, during their vegetation management practices
- Presentation of materials specific to nesting bird protection