The endangered Marbled Murrelet is a small seabird in the alcid family (akin to puffins) found along the Pacific Coast from Alaska to California. Unlike most alcids, Marbled Murrelets nests up to 50 km (30 miles) inland in old growth coniferous forests. The Marbled Murrelet population of the Santa Cruz Mountains in central California is small, isolated and declining. The M/T Command spill is estimated to have killed six to twelve of these birds.

Marbled Murrelet Restoration and Corvid Management Project

This project aims to improve the nesting success of Marbled Murrelets in the Santa Cruz Mountains by actively managing corvids (ravens and jays) at area campgrounds. Corvid predation occurs at nesting areas around the four campgrounds with large corvid populations, and is likely a significant cause in the recent decline of Marbled Murrelet nesting success in the area. The project may also involve actively removing ravens and their nests, as well as protocols to monitor the success of these efforts.

In 2004, the California Department of Parks and Recreation dentified a project manager and began developing brochures and signs to educate the public about the dangers of feeding wildlife. Project staff also began replacing old dumpsters and garbage cans with new animal-proof bins throughout the public campgrounds and day use areas in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

In 2005, California State Parks began training park superintendents, rangers, and docents regarding the project. Staff posted educational signs at every campsite throughout the state parks in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and roving “crumb patrols” encourage campers and picnickers to do their part in restoring balance to the forest ecosystem. Campfire programs now feature skits and puppet shows to explain the links between human food waste, artifically enhanced jay and raven populations, and predation of endangered murrelet nests.

At Big Basin Redwoods State Park, new garbage cans and dumpsters were installed, and a small number of ravens removed. Implementation of garbage control and educational efforts at Memorial County Park have been delayed due to staff turnover, but the project is expected to begin there before the 2006 camping season.

Marbled Murrelet Land Acquisition and Enhancement Project

The goal of this project is to protect and enhance nesting habitat of the marbled murrelet in the Santa Cruz Moutains of central California. The project provides funding for acquiring known nesting murrelet habitat and for establishing and implementing management guidelines to protect and enhance the habitat.

On March 20, 2006, California State Parks used funds from the M/T Command settlement to close escrow on a parcel of redwood forest habitat in the Santa Cruz Mountains of central California. The 80-acre “Girl Scout Creek” parcel is located just north of Butano State Park, and contains stands of residual old growth redwoods in which Marbled Murrelets have been observed nesting. The parcel will become a part of Butano State Park, and the Marbled Murrelet nesting habitat will be protected and enhanced under park management. Biologists will begin surveying the murrelet population this summer.