NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Just like us, grasslands need rest to improve their health.

A study just published by Point Blue Conservation Science in the journal Ecological Restoration shows a 72-percent increase in where native perennial grasses were found on a coastal California ranch when cattle grazing was changed to give the land more time to rest.

Over the last 300 years, nonnative annual grasses have invaded California’s grasslands.

These exotic grasses complete their lifecycle in one year and out-compete the native perennial grasses (grasses that live for multiple years).

Native perennial grasslands in California are one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the world, providing habitat for many bird species and other wildlife while also allowing water to better infiltrate soil, decreasing erosion and increasing water storage.

They also stay green into the dry months and provide forage for cattle during lean times.

“Managing land and animals to promote perennial grasses through holistic planned grazing offers ranchers the most effective means of creating a profitable beef business, viable in the long-term,” said Joe Morris of T.O. Cattle Co. “By managing for perennial grasses we tend to increase the productivity of our ranches, their beauty, and their resilience against drought. The flip side of this is better performance for our animals and more profit for our business. These are the hallmarks sustainability.”

The study’s scientists documented the increase in perennial grasses by monitoring plant communities at TomKat Ranch near Pescadero, Calif., over the last three years.

TomKat Ranch is an 1,800-acre cow-calf grass-fed beef operation of 100 to 150 head.

In 2011, the ranch switched from continuous grazing, allowing cattle to graze over large portions of the ranch for months at a time, to a planned grazing approach.

They increased cattle density by moving them through a series of smaller subdivided pastures, resting each pasture for 70 to 120 days before grazing again.

Three years after the change, the number of vegetation survey units where native perennial grasses were found increased by 72 percent.

“At TomKat Ranch, we value food production done in a way that maximizes benefits to our entire ranching system – our business, our community and the environment” says Kat Taylor, owner of TomKat Ranch. “Point Blue's science shows how using rest-rotational grazing can begin to restore coastal rangelands to native grasses and improve water and carbon storage in the soil, while increasing biodiversity and the grass forage potential for our herd.”

The research suggests planned grazing promotes native perennial grass growth by reducing competition from invasive annual grasses.

The periods of rest from grazing, especially during plant flowering, allows for more native perennial seed production and increases plant numbers, vigor and size.

As California rangelands face the possibility of another drought year, incorporating more rest into grazing practices could improve the health of grasslands and help make ranching more ecologically sustainable.

Download or view a one-page summary of the scientific publication at www.pointblue.org/pubbriefs .

Visit Point Blue Conservation Science at www.pointblue.org .

SACRAMENTO – Chairman Carl Guardino announced the appointment of Will Kempton as executive director of the California Transportation Commission, effective Jan. 19, 2015.

Kempton will attend his first meeting of the commission as the executive director at its Jan. 22 meeting. 

The commission also acknowledged the pending retirement of Executive Director Andre Boutros, commended him on his leadership and dedication to the commission, thanked him for his 30 years of outstanding service to the people of California, and wished him well in his future endeavors.

Kempton comes to the position as the commission's executive director with more than 40 years of experience in transportation, public service and governmental affairs. 

He currently serves as the executive director of Transportation California, and previously served as the executive director of the Orange County Transportation Authority, director of the California Department of Transportation and executive director of the Santa Clara County Traffic Authority.

The executive director of the California Transportation Commission reports to the 11-member commission and is responsible for overseeing the commission's staff of 17 and its annual budget of $3.8 million. 

The commission is responsible for programming and funding several billion dollars annually for transportation projects throughout California in partnership with regional transportation agencies and the California Department of Transportation.

The commission also is responsible for advising the California State Transportation Agency and the California Legislature on key transportation policy matters.

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – On Saturday, Dec. 6, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 8-8 of Lake County held its annual change of watch and awards ceremony with a lunch at the Greenview Restaurant in Hidden Valley Lake. 

This ceremony is held each December to commemorate the changing of the flotilla commanders and the staff officers for the coming year and to recognize those individuals who have distinguished themselves during the year. 

The award for Most Inspirational Auxiliarist was shared by Marisa Chilafoe and Roberto Morfin, who were always ready to say, “Yes, I can do that” when asked to assist. 

The Commitment to Service award was earned by Staff Officer Dane Hayward for his consistent “can do” attitude and the Auxiliarist of the Year award went to Staff Officer Bruce Rogerson, the immediate past flotilla commander, for his continuing support of all aspects of the USCG Auxiliary mission. 

Outgoing staff officers were recognized for their contributions during 2014 and awarded Challenge Coins commemorating 75 years of Auxiliary service to the Coast Guard.

The auxiliary is charged with supporting the United States Coast Guard in all of its missions except law enforcement and to promote recreational boating safety. Auxiliary members are referred to as the “Silver Side.”

Active duty USCG service personnel, referred to as the “Gold Side” in attendance included CWO (BOSN) Command Security Officer Curtis Barthel from Sector Humboldt Bay, and from Motor Lifeboat Station Noyo River were BM1 Operations Petty Officer 1st Class Kevin Cornell, SK2 Petty Officer 2nd Class Henry Robles, MK3 Petty Officer 3rd Class Alex Klebart and SNBM Seaman David McLaren.

The current Flotilla Commander Dan Fish will continue in his role for the ensuing year with Staff Officer Corey Jones serving as the vice flotilla commander for the year 2015. 

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Proudly sporting her Disneyland blanket, Siseva’i Vaisau sat in the sunshine in the living room of her grandmother Susan Lemos’ Kelseyville home with her father and uncle.

She had just returned the evening before from a Make A Wish Foundation sponsored trip to Southern California where she got to visit Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm for the first time.

Not only did she meet Mary Poppins, she got to visit with relatives, some of whom she had never met. 

The five-day trip made her tired, but she was happy and smiled as those around her talk about the trip.

Like many 9 year olds, Siseva’i loves dogs and balloons, being outside on warm days and watching cartoons. She enjoys being read to and likes listening to music, especially reggae.

Unlike most children, however, Siseva’i was born with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, conditions which have brought with them a host of other health challenges to her short life.

She and her father have shared their grandmother’s home for the last two years, a change that has required adjustments and accommodations be made to the home Lemos has owned for the last 10 years. 

Several organizations from around Lake County have contributed to improving the quality of life for Siseva’i and her family.

Earlier this year, Lemos turned to Habitat for Humanity for additional help.

“The deck leading into our home was so bad we worried every time we had to take Siseva’i's chair across it,” Lemos said.

Laauli, Siseva’i's father, added, “It shook so bad the whole house would shake. You always knew when someone was coming up to the door.”

Habitat for Humanity was called in to assess the situation to see if there was anything that could be done to stabilize it.

With the assistance of Siseva’i's uncle, Habitat staff rebuilt the deck and stabilized it to make it safe for Siseva’i and her chair to cross.

“We can’t thank Habitat enough for everything they’ve done,” Lemos said. “The donations given to Habitat for Humanity that made this work possible, and the workers who did it for us, have been a huge blessing.”

Habitat for Humanity Lake County feels equally blessed to have been able to help Lemos provide for the needs of her granddaughter.

Always looking for new ways to aid our community, Habitat for Humanity Lake County relies on donations from the community to offer such life-changing assistance to families within the county.

If you would like to donate to assist other in-need families, please contact Habitat for Humanity Lake County at 707-994-1100 or visit www.lakehabitat.org for more information.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Kelseyville United Methodist Church Thrift Shop is hosting a half-off Christmas sale in the fellowship hall and a 25 cent sale in the thrift shop on Monday, Dec. 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“This is the place to do your Christmas Shopping,” said thrift shop contact Dorothy Braun.

All Kelseyville United Methodist Thrift Shop proceeds support programs and services in Kelseyville since 1962.

Donations are accepted on Monday and Wednesday mornings.

The Thrift Shop is located at 5250 First St., off Main Street behind the Kelseyville Methodist Church.

For more information, call 707-279-4664.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Delta Iota Tau, a Lake County Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, sells Sees Candies all year through North Lake Medical Pharmacy, located in the Bruno’s Shop Smart Center on Lakeport Boulevard.

During the Christmas Season Bruno’s Shop Smart generously allows them space in their store to sell See’s Candies.

Sorority members are currently selling daily in Bruno’s Shop Smart, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Dec. 20.

The money raised through these sales enables Delta Iota Tau to make a variety of community donations all year long.

All monies raised are donated to Lake County residents and organizations only.

In 2013, the group donated more than $7,200 to a variety of local causes – scholarships, gifts for the women's shelter, Christmas gifts for needy seniors and Miss Lake County, among others – thanks to the success of the candy sales.