protecting an endangered species

by Heather Ah San

These days, protecting endangered species seems to be at the forefront of everyone's minds given the recent news about the fate of the Endangered Species Act. ​

Across the country, far from the where the future of the Act will be determined, we at Sonoma Land Trust have a vested interest in one small — but important! — endangered plant species: the white sedge. White sedge (Carex albida), was previously thought to be extinct until it was identified in 1983 at Pitkin Marsh, an environmentally significant wetland located between Graton and Forestville. The Land Trust owns a portion of this marsh, 27 acres worth, of which is home to the only known population of white sedge.

White sedge (Carex albida)

Recently, I and fellow Land Trust staff and volunteers spent a hot summer day weeding through the thick vegetation to count the number of white sedge at the marsh. While this tiny little plant seemed insignificant to me, Trevor George, the property's stewardship manager, explained why this endangered plant is important to protect:

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How we protect an endangered species

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In an alternate universe, Heather Ah San is Heather of the House Targaryen, the First of Her Name, The Unburnt, Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Queen of Meereen, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Protector of the Realm, Lady Regnant of the Seven Kingdoms, Breaker of Chains and Mother of Dragons. In this universe, she’s communications coordinator for Sonoma Land Trust. ​

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