AMIA receives grant to partner with State Parks in restoring entrance meadow at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park

Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association (AMIA) has received a $9,026 grant from California State Parks Foundation (CSPF) as part of its Wildfire Resiliency and Prevention program. The grant will allow AMIA to partner with the Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) in restoring and rehabilitating the entrance meadow that first greets visitors to Anderson Marsh State Historic Park, which burned in the 2016 Clayton fire.

The project, which will begin with a prescribed burn at the park, focuses on making the park more resilient to the ever-increasing wildfires that are being caused by climate change, as well as educating the public about what can be done to reduce the risk from wildfire, including the planting of native plants.

“The project will help create a defensible space around the park’s historic ranch house and barns through the clearing of non-native species and overgrowth and the replanting of native grasses, shrubs, and trees,” explained Henry Bornstein, AMIA Grant Director. “At the end of the project, the entrance meadow will be restored to a more natural state and a native plant demonstration area will be created where visitors can compare the treated native entrance meadow to the adjacent untreated areas, and learn about the advantages of native plants in the control of wildfires,” added Bornstein.

In describing the joint AMIA/State Parks project, Matt Teague, State Parks Northern Butte District Superintendent stated that “State Parks and AMIA have continued to work together on projects which further enhance visitor experiences at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park. This project will provide an excellent opportunity to educate users of the park on the benefits of native habitat as it relates to wildfire intensity and management.”

“AMIA is grateful for the financial support of CSPF that will allow this project to help protect the park’s historic ranch house and barn complex, as well as creating an opportunity to educate the public about the benefits of native plants in reducing the risk of wildfire,” stated AMIA President Roberta Lyons.

AMIA is a non-profit association cooperating with State Parks to support promote educational and interpretive activities at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park. For information about Anderson Marsh State Historic Park or AMIA, please visit www.andersonmarsh.org or contact AMIA at either info@andersonmarsh.org or 707-995-2658. Information about the California State Parks Foundation can be found at www.calparks.org,