The East Merced Resource Conservation District sponsored the publication of an excellent reference book on the natural vernal pools of our area. The book is titled Wildlife and Rare Plant Ecology of Eastern Merced County’s Vernal Pool Grasslands, author John Vollmar (vollmarconsulting.com). You may download the complete publication by going to the following website, http://www.ucmercedplanning.net/pdfs/eco/ecofull.pdf

Eastern Merced County is generally acknowledged to support the largest unfragmented block of high-density vernal pool grasslands remaining in California. These vernal pools contain numerous associated rare and endangered species such as fairy shrimp, tadpole shrimp, and several rare Orcutt tribe grasses.

Recognizing both the inherent natural values of the rangelands and the threats from development, EMRCD initiated a Vernal Pools Program in 1998 to increase local awareness of vernal pool issues and authored a report on rare and endangered species and habitat in Eastern Merced County.

EMRCD has worked closely with several groups including The Nature Conservancy, Merced County Planning Department, Natural Resource Conservation Service, and Merced County Land Trust to establish rangeland conservation easements and educate the local community on the importance of rangeland and vernal pool conservation.