The focus of the Natural Resources and Pest Management Programs is to ensure sustainability of the lands of the Presidio of Monterey (POM), Ord Military Community (OMC), and SATCOM Camp Roberts in order to meet mission requirements. Sustainability goals include: conserving natural resources in order to maintain ecosystem health and viability, maintaining and enhancing sensitive biological areas and protecting species both endangered and threatened.

Programs:

Natural resources are managed through a number of programs and management plans with emphasis on the protection of endangered plant species, control of noxious and invasive weed species, pest control, landscaping and plant disease control, wildlife management, and erosion control. Links to the Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP), Endangered Species Management Plan, and the Integrated Pest Management Plan are provided below.

Wildlife:

A variety of wildlife species live in the undeveloped areas near Ord Military Community, Presidio of Monterey, and La Mesa Village Family Housing and occasionally visit our installation. To reduce the potential for an unwanted encounter with wildlife, refer to the recommendations provided in the "Wildlife Tips" link. The California Mountain Lion is a species of particular concern and if sighted, please contact the Presidio of Monterey Police Department at (831) 242-7851. Information on California Mountain Lions is provided below.

Yadon's Piperia:

Yadon's piperia (Piperia yadonii) is a slender perennial herb in the orchid family (Orchidaceae) that is endemic to California and is found within closed-cone coniferous forest and maritime chaparral communities in northern coastal Monterey County. It was federally listed as endangered in 1998. The plant emerges during the winter from an underground bulb-like stem and will grow to 10 to 50 centimeters high. It has elongated basal leaves that are 10 to 15 centimeters long and 2 to 3 centimeters wide and flowers in the summer (May to August). The small white flowers appear on a stalk that is 5 to 50 centimeters high. The primary limiting factor for Yadon’s piperia is the availability of suitable habitat.

Two small populations of Yadon's piperia have been identified at The Presidio of Monterey. Management objectives for Yadon's piperia are to protect and enhance existing populations on the installation. They are a protected species and efforts are made to reduce impacts to the plants and their habitat through education, signage, brochures, habitat delineation, and a monitoring program. Unfortunately, threats still exists. These include trampling from deer and humans, deer browsing, and competition from non-native, invasive plant species. For more information about the management of endangered species on the Presidio, click the link to the Endangered Species Management Plan below.

Integrated Pest Management:

The Army is committed to using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) at its facilities and installations as the best approach to control pests and reduce pesticide reliance and resistance. IPM is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices to control pests. IPM is not a single pest control method but, rather, a series of pest management evaluations, decisions and controls. It is a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks. Although IPM emphasizes the use of non-chemical strategies, chemical control may be an option used in conjunction with other methods.

At the Presidio, the Pest Management Coordinator uses IPM to control both vertebrate and invertebrate animal pests, as well as non-native, invasive weed species. Some of the animal pests that can affect human health and safety, become a nuisance, or create structural damage to facilities include: raccoons, pigeons, deer, feral cats, gophers, mice, earwigs, spiders, ants, termites, fleas, flies, mosquitoes, yellow jacket wasps and oakworm moth caterpillars. The Presidio also has a West Nile Virus (WNV) plan, which provides guidance on surveillance, prevention, and control measures to reduce the risk of installation personnel being affected by WNV. For more information about specific pests or WNV click on the links below.

Invasive Plants:

Non-native weeds that do not belong on the Presidio can threaten the health and diversity of our native plant communities. Exotic, invasive weed species are introduced from other countries and have no natural controls within our ecosystems. Natural Resource Managers actively remove invasive weed species through manual, mechanical and chemical methods. Some of these plants include: pampas grass, iceplant, French broom, poison hemlock, English ivy and bull thistle.

Links and Documents: