VASCM: Next Program Feb. 23 on Ecosystem Management & Biodiversity - and How Your Vineyard Can Benefit

[Mary Lindsay, Muns Vineyard]

The next program of the Viticulture Assn. is on Saturday, Feb. 23, 
9:00-2:00, on Ecosystem Management and Biodiversity Conservation 
Practices. We have several very knowledgeable speakers, including Ann 
Thrupp of Fetzer; and Kent Reeves, now an ecology consultant whose 
clients include the Lodi Winegrape Commission. The program will end with 
a tailgate session at Rhys Vineyards.

There is no charge for this program, and lunch is included. This is 
sponsored by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, and you 
will receive a free copy of the newly released 3rd edition of the CSWA's 
Sustainable Self-Assessment Workbook.

Please review the details of the program below. You can also find it 
posted to the VASCM website (including links to references in the 
description), along with a pdf copy of the flier. Details, including 
location, are below.

RSVP is requested but not required. You can RSVP by replying to this 
message.

We hope to see you on the 23rd for this most excellent program.

Regards,
The VASCM Board:
Mary Lindsay
Rachel Ormes
Bruce Manildi
June Salsbury
* * *



*Ecosystem Management and Biodiversity Conservation Practices for Your 
Vineyard -- How You Can Benefit*

*Saturday, February 23, 9:00- 2:00*

At the Loma Prieta Community Center, 23800 Summit Rd., Los Gatos 95033

(at the Loma Prieta Elementary School)**

*
*Numerous scientific studies and practical experiences have shown that 
biological diversity is a crucial factor in maintaining or increasing 
the sustainability and stability of farming systems.**Biodiversity in 
agricultural systems recycles nutrients, helps manage undesirable 
organisms, and more. This program will address habitat conservation and 
reasons for it; conservation of ponds and streams; native vegetation as 
cover crop; protection of native wildlife; hedgerows and other native 
planting; soil biodiversity; sheep, goats, etc. for weed control. 
Sustainable practices are good business practices. This program and 
workshop brings you several speakers illustrating how you can apply and 
benefit from these practices, and the day ends with a tailgate visit to 
Rhys Vineyards.

*/There is no charge for this program/*. You will receive a 
complimentary copy of the new, 3^rd edition of the CSWA's Code of 
Sustainable Winegrowing Workbook. Bring a laptop if you want online 
access. Lunch will be provided.

*AGENDA*

**

*8:30am:Registration and sign-in*

*9:00am:Program *

**

.*Kent**Reeves, ecology consultant, The Whole Picture Consulting 
<http://www.cowboyconservation.com/about-us/>*. Kentwill address 
different vineyard habitats and the benefits of managing those habitats 
to encourage beneficial species.
Kent manages and administers natural resource projects for ranchers, 
farmers, and various agencies. He was previously with the Alameda Co. 
Resource Conservation District, and a co-author of the biodiversity 
chapter of the CSWA workbook.  Clients include the Lodi Winegrape 
Commission; Sierra Nevada Conservancy; Ecology Action (Livestock & Land 
Program); Placer, Monterey, and San Benito County Resource Conservation 
Districts; Hollister Ranch; and is on the Advisory Board for Cal Poly's 
Center for Sustainability. Kent espouses the concepts of Cowboy 
Conservation.



.*Ann Thrupp, Manager of Sustainability and Organic Development at 
Fetzer and Bontera Vineyards*. Ann will talk about a study done in North 
Coast vineyards on Biodiversity as Part of Ecosystem Management in 
Sustainable Winegrowing. The goals of the study were to
. document the benefits of biodiversity and habitat protection in 
California vineyards, and
. identify practices for conserving or enhancing biological diversity in 
and around vineyards.
     In her capacity at Fetzer, Ann develops partnerships with growers, 
scientists, government agencies and other stakeholders involved in 
sustainability initiatives. Ann was the Managing Director of the CSWA 
from 2005-2007, and serves on the joint technical advisory committee. 
 From 1990-1998, she was Director of Sustainable Agriculture at World 
Resources Institute. Ann has over 70 publications, and has served twice 
on committees of the National Academy of Science, to co-author books 
related to sustainable agriculture. You can read more about Ann here. 
<outbind://674-00000000BF5EAC1130AA014CACC5A369D6E792F7E4669201/www.fetzer.com/Ann-Thrupp-Bio>/
/


.*Rich Casale, District Conservationist, NRCS 
<http://www.rcdsantacruz.org/>, Santa Cruz County.* Rich will address 
the cost-sharing programs available through the NRCS for growers to 
implement programs that support habitat diversity.
     Rich is a Certified Professional Erosion and Sediment Control 
Specialist (CPESC #3), a program sponsored by the International Erosion 
Control Association and the Soil and Water Conservation Society. He has 
been instrumental in erosion control and watershed management programs 
at the local, state and national level, and has been involved in more 
than a dozen NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection programs during his 
career assisting property owners throughout California following storm, 
flood, fire and earthquake disasters.


*.Lisa Francioni Hai, Program Manager for the California Sustainable 
Winegrowing Alliance**,*will present the newly revised and updated 
Sustainable Winegrowing Self-Assessment workbook, and lead the group 
through the Ecosystem Management chapter. She will also cover CSWA's 
sustainability certification program, Certified California Sustainable 
Winegrowing.


.*Lunch*

*
*

*.Tailgate session at*Rhys Vineyards <http://www.rhysvineyards.com> and 
a talk and tour with Javier Meza, winegrower.



/RSVP is requested:   Lisa Francioni, lisa at wineinstitute.org 
<mailto:lisa at wineinstitute.org> or call 415-356-7545; /

/or Mary Lindsay, VASCM, mary at munsvineyard.com or call 408-234-2079./

/Please note: No alcohol or smoking at the Community Center, please//./

/This program is sponsored by The California Sustainable Winegrowing 
Alliance <http://www.sustainablewinegrowing.org/>.
/

/

/

*From the CSWA's Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Workbook*: Agricultural 
systems and the environment are intertwined, dynamic, and often 
symbiotic. "Ecosystem Management" applies ecological science to resource 
management to promote the long-term sustainability of landscapes (our 
vineyards) and the delivery of essential goods and services produced in 
them (our winegrapes).These "ecosystem services" include clean water and 
air, storing and cycling nutrients, pollination of crops and natural 
vegetation, generation and maintenance of soils, detoxification and 
decomposition of wastes, and natural beauty. The long-term viability of 
California's wine community is linked to the long-term stability of 
ecological processes, which are constantly changing. The primary goals 
of an ecosystem management approach are to:

-- Maintain ecosystem integrity

-- Sustain biodiversity at a regional scale

-- Incorporate distinct community values in the design and 
implementation of a sustainability strategy.


//