What We Do
Mitsui Ranch Preserve’s primary focus is rangeland management. Here, we are stewards of the land, working to remove invasive species and help reestablish historical ecosystems, while also spreading awareness through education and conservation about the importance of maintaining these habitats.
About Us
Our mission is to revitalize rangelands using seasonal grazing, prescribed burning, and reseeding native perennial grasses and forbs to regenerate natural cycles. We measure success by monitoring measurable ecosystem functions such as nutrient cycling, soil building, and water retention.
The Tools
We use three major tools to help manage the landscape: cattle grazing; prescribed fire; and re-establishing native perennial grasses by planting seeds after implementing prescribed fire.
Grazing
We work with Sonoma Mountain Institute to implement rotational grazing throughout the property
Prescribe Burns
Sections of the property are burned annually to help remove the invasive vegetation and support the native grasses adapted to seasonal fire
Native Grasses
We collect native grass seed from throughout the property which is then planted post grazing and fire to help establish the perennial bunchgrass ecosystem
Measuring Success
Determining the efficacy of these methods is equally as important to future management efforts. We do this through long term monitoring. We resurvey established land plots to determine the percent cover of vegetation and the amount of native grass diversity. Further, we conduct visual surveys weekly throughout our property to determine the population changes of our native amphibians over time. One of the primary indicators of ecosystem success is through this amphibian population monitoring on site, including our state amphibian the California red-legged frog
Mitsui Ranch Preserve