It is exciting news that we have a Xerces Society Verified Overwintering Site in El Granada! Overwintering is what they do at Natural Bridges in Santa Cruz and other coastal sites. 

Unfortunately, the County is designating this area for development, BUT they just became aware of the verified Monarch Overwintering site and other potential endangered species that exist there because a few members of the community spoke up at the last Planning Commission meeting. Speaking up works! The commission now has a biologist consultant assessing the site.  That area hosts much wildlife as it seems to be a seasonal wetland and a wildlife corridor connected to the GGNRA.

Latest Xerces Western Monarch Count Update

Latest news: Inappropriate Tree removal affects Monarch Habitat in Ventura

Here is how you can help protect the site right now: 

Xerces has told us we need to create public awareness and support to help protect the site.  The County needs to see a large number of people showing up telling them they care about this site. Here are the first steps:

1. Write a short message to the planning department telling them who you are, why you want to protect the site, what it means to you and your community and what wildlife you have observed there including monarchs. Let them know if and when you have seen historical clusters or if you have recently seen clusters there.  Send photos if you like. Feel free to include any information we provided above about Monarchs or scientific info from the Xerces site. Please send your message to: 

wgibson@smcgov.org,  planning_commission@smcgov.org  

cc: monarchsite3111@gmail.com, smc_supmueller@smcgov.org

Subject:  San Mateo County Housing Element Rezoning Program, El Granada- Protect the Monarchs

Greeting:   Dear Mr. Will Gibson and San Mateo County Planning Commission

2. Spread news to friends, family, neighbors and share on social media. take them out to see the Monarchs before they leave.  They are leaving soon. Tell them to email me here: Monarchsite3111@gmail.com. Then I will put them on this list and tell them where to send email messages to the County etc. 

3. Let us know how else you can help.  Can you help it get media coverage in publications, radio or TV?  Can you connect us to any bird or pollinator groups or photographers, nature non-profits, or land trusts that may be willing to support? Do you know any biologists that would be willing to do a survey of the area for wildlife, plants, and insects?  It is reported we have the endangered red legged frog and California Garter snake out there, but it would be great to get data on that.  

Thank you so much for your support and assistance in the protection of this land!  Please forward this message to anyone you know would like to support this effort and have them contact monarchsite3111@gmail.com Thank you!

More info: What, Where and Why?

County Title of the site: San Mateo County Housing Element Rezoning Program

County Project Page Link : Here, you can find out more about the project, updates, timeline, meeting agendas for the planning commission, and you can sign up for email updates at the bottom of the page. 

What is an overwintering site? (link)

Why is it important? (link)

1. Habitat loss and pesticides are the reason for the detrimental decline in the Monarch population.  This is why we must protect the land at this site. 

2. San Mateo and surrounding Counties are warming up with climate change and becoming a more prime location for Monarch Overwintering habitat, so they will likely be looking to overwinter on our coast more in the future.

Where: see this link from the County website 

 Here you can find a map of the Xerces verified overwintering sites in the West.