California Vernal Pools
a collection of information and resources

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Only about 10-25% of the vernal pools which originally occurred in California remain. Most if the best remaining vernal pool landscapes are still under private ownership. Unfortunately, many communities see these less productive grazing lands as the perfect area for urban expansion. The two biggest threats to vernal pools right now are development and agricultural conversion. 

Conservation Organizations

• California Native Plant Society -- Dedicated to the preservation of California's native flora. 

• Vernal Pool Society -- Dedicated to preservation of vernal pools in San Diego County.
   
• Butte Environmental Council -- Devoted to environmental education and information referral services, and advocacy.
   
• See also Places to See for Land Conservancy information. 

Conservation Projects

• UC Merced -- Eight environmental groups and the University of California at Merced have reached a cooperative agreement to promote a reduced campus footprint and conservation measures to better protect vernal pool resources in the vicinity of the campus. . 

• Eastern Merced Grasslands -- A project of the Nature Conservancy to protect lands around the UC Merced campus. 

Why We Need Conservation Projects

• Down Memory Lane: The Los Angeles Coastal Prairie and Its Vernal Pools -- R. Mattoni, T. Longcore, J. George and C. Rich, Urban Wildlands Group, UCLA

VernalPools.Org - dedicated to saving California's vernal pool landscapes