Advisory Board: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Advisory Committee-IPM & Nature-Based Climate Solutions (NBS) Subcommittee
Subject: 4. DISCUSS land-management practices whose co-benefits are relevant to IPM and nature-based climate solutions (NbS) and RECOMMEND applicable areas of focus.
Presenter: Wade Finlinson
Contact: 925.490.3428
Information:
The bylaws of the Integrated Pest Management Advisory Committee (IPMAC) allow the formation of subcommittees to research and explore specific issues within the purview of the Committee. The first goal of the County IPM Policy is to “Minimize risks and maximize benefits to the general public, staff and the environment as a result of pest control activities conducted by County staff and contractors.”
Referral History and Update:
IPMAC convened an ad hoc subcommittee to focus on the potential implementation of NBS on County properties in June 2025. During that meeting, various sites and NbS strategies were discussed.
Over the last several years, the County has adopted key guiding documents that help to illuminate potential pathways forward. Those include Healthy Lands, Healthy People: A Carbon Sequestration Feasibility Study (HLHP) and the 2024 update of the Contra Costa County Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP). Applicable excerpts from the CAAP and HLHP are attached. Another robust resource on this topic at the statewide scale includes California’s NBS Climate Targets.
Each document is vastly broader than land management practices on County property. However, elements of each Contra Costa-specific plan help clarify a starting point that is rooted in Board-approved priorities. Some initial considerations that may help generate the discussion include the following actions from CAAP and HLHP:
• NI-4 (CAAP): Sequester carbon on natural and working lands. Examples: compost application, biochar application, prescribed grazing, tree planting, maintenance of trees, wetland restoration.
• NI-2 (CAAP): Protect against and adapt to increases in the frequency and intensity of wildfires. Examples: prescribed fire, maintenance of fire breaks and defensible space, vegetation clearance.
• NI-5 (CAAP): Minimize heat island effects through green infrastructure, tree canopy, etc. Examples: Establish shaded fuel breaks, increase tree planting and maintenance, preserve green stormwater infrastructure, support development of Urban Forest Management Plan (coming soon).
• CE-1 (CAAP): Access to green jobs. Examples: partner with local conservation entities and jobs training programs to supplement land management activities.
• CE-3 (CAAP): Increase access to parks and open space. Examples: explore conservation easements on underutilized open space, increase tree canopy on County properties.
• CE-4 (CAAP): Access to affordable, local fresh food. Examples: explore feasibility of leasing or selling underutilized open space parcels for urban agricultural production.
• HLHP Action 1.8: Explore potential equipment sharing arrangements between County departments and partner agencies. The acquisition of seeders, compost spreaders, and similarly specialized equipment may be more likely if jointly procured.
• HLHP Action 2.4: Establish a proactive practice of compost application and overseeding of desirable species on burn scars on County property.
• HLHP Action 3.4: Implement shaded fuel breaks
• HLHP Measure 4: Support the implementation of upcoming efforts to protect and enhance the urban forest on County properties.
• The HLHP also lists the top five sequestration activities. Compost application (#1), urban forestry (#3), and riparian forest buffer (#5) are applicable to some types of County-owned property, while the others on the list are more specific to agricultural systems.
The above list is a sample of what practices may be relevant to the current pursuit, but is not exhaustive. Exploration of other practices not listed may be worthwhile.
The IPM Coordinator will provide further analysis of potential pilot projects that pair IPM practices and NbS with certain land types. This overview is not intended to be prescriptive. Any proposed action on County property will require extensive coordination between stakeholders. Each location varies widely and applicable site managers would make the final determination on whether any recommendations are implemented. This represents a disclaimer that site-specific discussions are conceptual at this point and are intended to promote innovative evaluation of practices that enhance stewardship of community resources.
<https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/79768/Healthy-Lands-Healthy-People-Final-Report>
<https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/84967/Contra-Costa-County-2024-Climate-Action-and-Adaptation-Plan-PDF?bidId=>
<https://resources.ca.gov/-/media/CNRA-Website/Files/Initiatives/Expanding-Nature-Based-Solutions/Californias-NBS-Climate-Targets-2024.pdf>
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
Staff recommends engaging in a discussion of these and related practices and advising on goals, priorities, and broader strategy of the items discussed.