The CCRC holds two meetings a year the third Thursday in October (Fall) and the third Thursday in April (Spring). Ranchers, researchers, landowners and conservationist gather to learn about and discuss topics related to sustaining rangelands for livestock production, communities and conservation on California's central coast. Meetings are held on rangeland sites through out the Central Coast. All meeting are open the public.
Coming Soon: Spring 2025 Workshop
Thursday, April 17, 2025, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Martial Cottle Park, 5283 Snell Avenue, San Jose, CA 95136
Cottle Edward Picnic Area
Cost: $40.00 – lunch included
Deadline to Register is April 10, 2025
The Conservation and Control of CA Ground Squirrels
A Valued Species and Pest on Rangelands
The California Ground Squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi) is a beneficial species and a pest on rangelands. While conservation of California Ground Squirrels is important on rangelands where their ecological roles are valued, control measures may be necessary where their activities cause significant economic or ecological harm. At this workshop we will consider the role of ground squirrels on our natural working lands.
We will learn about decisions landowners and resource managers make for conservation versus control. We will hear about efforts to enhance ground squirrel habitat and thresholds for controlling ground squirrels to manage pest impact. We will also consider the efficacy of ground squirrel control methods including a) regulations covering ground squirrel control, b) integrated pest management, and c) future options
CE credits for pest management will be provided.
Past Events
| Meeting Name | Date |
| Rangeland Restoration & Improvement | Fall 2024 |
Valuing and Funding Rangeland Stewardship
Paying for Ecosystem Services | Spring 2024 |
| Ranching and Conservation - Business Solutions for Liability Insurance, Housing and Rancher-Manager Collaboration | Fall 2023 |
| Cattle Grazing and Wildfire Fuels | Spring 2023 |
| Livestock Pond Restoration | Fall 2022 |
| Adaptive rotational grazing and soil carbon sequestration | Spring, 2022 |
Vibrant Rangelands, Ways Forward (online presentation)
| 1/18/2022 |
| Let’s talk about compost and rangelands: Field data, roundtable discussion, and field tour | Fall 2021 |
| Cattle Behavior, Grazing Management and Technology | Spring 2021 |
| Managing Habitat Ponds on Central Coast Rangelands | Spring 2020 |
| Beef, Bees, Trees and Gelato: Doing and Earning More from a Ranch | Fall 2019 |
| Sustaining Ranching for Public Good | Spring 2019 |
| Rangeland Productivity | Fall 2018 |
| Conservation Easements to Keep Ranches Working | Spring 2018 |
| Ranching in Carnivore Country: Livestock Protection and Compensation Programs on the Central Coast | Fall 2017 |
| Targeted/Prescribed (Rotational / Deferral) Livestock Grazing for Meeting Conservation Goals | Spring 2017 |
| Grazing to Improve Habitat for Grassland Plants and Birds | Fall 2016 |
| Rancher Economics | Spring 2016 |
| Where Grazing and Regulations Meet: Working Together for Ranching and Water Quality | Fall 2015 (Oct) |
| Keeping Cattle and People at Home on the Range: Positive Livestock and Recreation Interactions | Fall 2015 (Sept) |
| Protecting Critters on Both Sides of the Fence: Practical Techniques for Protecting Livestock and Carnivores | Spring 2015 |
| Helping Each Other Weather the Worst of Times | Fall 2014 |
| Leases that Work for the Land, Landowners, Lessees, and Livestock | Spring 2014 |
| Rancher, Manager, and Scientist Forum on Rangeland Conservation | Winter 2014 |
| Wildlife Teeming with Our Rangelands: Management Decisions for Deer and other Wildlife | Fall 2013 |
| Open Range, Open Parks, Open Minds: Opportunities for Outreach in Grazed Parks and Ranches | Spring 2013 |
| Importance of Coastal Grasslands and Influence of Shrub Establishment | Fall 2012 |
| Rangeland Soils - They Aren't Just Dirt! | Spring 2012 |
| Grazing and Rancher Stewardship for Native Conservation | Fall 2011 |
| Grazing Public Lands for Conservation- Improving Cooperation between Public Agencies and Ranchers | Spring 2011 |
| Remote Sensing for California's Rangelands | Spring 2011 |
| Livestock and Water Quality | Fall 2010 |
| Spring 2010 |
| Rangeland Health Monitoring Project - Results | Fall 2009 |
| How and Why to Manage and Monitor for Residual Dry Matter (RDM) | Fall 2008 |
| Experts Roundtable: Soil Indicators of Rangeland Health | Spring 2008 |
| Experts Roundtable: Designing Workshops for Monitoring and Managing for Wildlife On Central Coast Rangelands | Spring 2008 |
| Grazing Management Planning | |
| Steering Committee Archives | |
