A Management Plan for the Enhancement of Wildlife

at California Polytechnic State University,

San Luis Obispo, California

by

M. Paloma Nieto

California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo, is one of the largest public universities in the state, as well as one of the largest campuses compared to the nation’s land grant universities, with enrollment exceeding 16,000 students and 6,000 acres of land in San Luis Obispo County.  Within its lands are habitats capable of supporting a rich diversity of plant and animal life including riparian, woodland, wetland, grassland, chaparral and coastal scrub.  The Central Coast of California supports a high level of plant and animal diversity due to its regional climate.  Many plant and animal species occur here at either the northernmost or southernmost limits of their ranges, providing the unique opportunity to experience more species than other parts of the state.

Historically, Cal Poly has dedicated its lands to various educational activities within the agricultural realm, for which it is highly regarded.  However, in recent years other fields of study have emerged providing Cal Poly with prestige in areas such as architecture, engineering and biology.  The future agriculturalists and biologists are at Cal Poly’s classrooms today.  Cal Poly can be at the cutting edge of unifying field biology and agriculture by addressing together issues which are of concern to both specialties and by formulating a program that is compatible with both disciplines.

Management of wildlife on farmlands and rangelands is a critical need in today’s society.  Many wildlife species have declined in agricultural lands as a result of expansion and intensification of agriculture land use.  Baseline field surveys were conducted throughout Cal Poly properties to confirm the wildlife species present.  Based on these surveys, standards and guidelines are recommended to maintain and enhance the existing native biological diversity and encourage the reestablishment of those wildlife species with historical records of presence.  At the same time, the educational activities of the University can be supported by using Cal Poly lands as field laboratories where students will have the opportunity to learn and practice modern biological and agricultural principles.  These modern principles will allow them to become the best graduates in their fields, while protecting and enhancing the environment they live in.  The proposed management plan represents an opportunity to promote agricultural practices that are both beneficial to wildlife and compatible with agricultural goals.  Within the plan, recommendations are made for the implementation of standards and guidelines that neither reduce nor diminish biodiversity or agriculture.