Parks &
Recreation
Commission
Central Park
Integrated Goose
Management Plan
November 17, 2020
Presentation Outline
• Central Park Lake
• Work Plans and Improvement Projects 2014-2020
• Canada Goose and Mallard Overpopulation
• Impact of Goose Dropping on Lake and Pathways
• Daniel Edelstein, Avian Biologist
• Proposed Integrated Goose Management Plan (IGMP)
2 Central Park Lake
Iconic Feature of Central Park
• 1 Million gallons reclaimed water
• Aesthetic focal point in park
• Community Wide Special Event
Location
– Art & Wine Festival, July 4th, SVBBQ, etc.
• Place for family & community recreation
3 Work Plans and Improvements
2014-2020
• Prior to 2014
– Annual Lake cleanup
– Limited short-term water quality improvement
• 2014 Biofiltration CIP Project
– Improved lake water quality
– Improved the aesthetics of the lake area
• Lake Cleanup every five years
• Bi-annual treatment to reduce algae
blooms
4 5
Impact of Goose Dropping
on Lake and Pathways
6 Canada Goose &
Mallard Overpopulation
Negative Impact on Central Park & Lake
• Reduced habitat for native species
• Decreased water quality of lake
• Increased “Dirty Pathways”
• Potential disease transmission to other
species
• Reduced recreational enjoyment
7 How to Address the Issue?
• Agreement with an Avian Biologist
• Develop an Integrated Goose Management Plan (IGMP)
• Present IGMP to the Parks & Recreation Commission
• Present IGMP to Council for Approval
• Implement IGMP’s Management Action Steps
– Short-Term
– Long-Term
8 Daniel Edelstein, Avian Biologist
• Certified Wildlife Biologist
– 25+ years field survey experience
– 16 Years of Regulatory/Permitting Knowledge
• Community College Birding/Wildlife Instructor
• Birding Guide since 1986
• Authored over 100 regulatory compliance
documents
9 Moffitt’s Canada Goose
(Branta canadensis moffitti)
11 Moffitt’s Canada Goose
(Branta canadensis moffitti)
Large body 30-43”, big bill, often
in large groups; this species
nests in late winter &/or spring,
with baby geese typically
hatching at the lake from May –
June annually.
Nesters joined by nearby geese
geese families join together as
large groups after the breeding
season, thereby causing an
overpopulation at the lake and
surrounding lawn areas in the
park and nearby.
12 13
14 • “Dirty” pathways
• Increased maintenance time and cost with same daily result • Park patrons deserve a clean and “less-odiferous” outdoor experience • Poor water quality in the Lake (each adult goose drops ~1/2 lb feces per day) • Decreased habitat quality for other wildlife species that compete at the lake for • Roosting sites
• Foraging resources
• Nesting areas
• Potential avian disease spread to other bird species
• Reduced biological diversity as the large, naturally-aggressive geese out- compete dozens of other bird species for food and nesting areas • geese always prevail
Problems Associated with the
Growing Number of Geese
18 Date Of
Survey
Number of Canada
Goose Counted
Newborn Goose
Seen?
Number of Mallard
Observed
7/7/20 88 No 59
8/13/20 95 No 71
9/30/20 80 No 64
10/22/20 158 No 87
(Branta hutchinsii leucopareia)
CENTRAL PARK
CANADA GOOSE & MALLARD SURVEYS (2020)
Integrated Goose Management Plan
19 SHORT-TERM SOLUTION STRATEGIES:
The following management goals and actions in the IGM are short and long-term strategies to gradually reduce the overpopulation of geese at Central Park Lake and its surrounding areas.
GOAL #1: Educate The Public About The Need To Reduce Geese Overpopulation • ACTIONS TO SATISFY GOAL:
• Advise visitors to stop feeding geese (and Mallard ducks) at the lake • Add friendly, educational information signs at the park benches where people often feed the geese (and Mallard ducks)
• Add information signage at access trail places where visitors enter the park Informational Signs
20 21
SHORT-TERM SOLUTION STRATEGIES:
GOAL #2: Prevent geese from walking into the lake.
• ACTION TO SATISFY GOAL:
• Add fencing to the lake’s entire perimeter
• Result: Geese will not have walk in access to lake
Functional Fencing
22 (Branta hutchinsii leucopareia)
23 Integrated Goose Management Plan
Implementation
24 SHORT-TERM SOLUTION STRATEGIES:
GOAL #3: Reduce Success Of Geese Breeding At The Lake:
• ACTION TO SATISFY GOAL:
• Begin the Following Non-lethal Management Action:
• Addling Geese Eggs Prevents Hatching,
• No Newborn Geese Occur at the Lake
Addling of Geese Eggs
26 27
SHORT-TERM SOLUTION STRATEGIES:
GOAL #4: Educate the public about the need to reduce geese overpopulation • ACTION TO SATISFY GOAL:
• Inform Santa Clara residents, park visitors, wider community about the need to reduce the goose overpopulation problem
• Ensure public has a “voice” and is informed
• Allowing public input/comments via:
• Educational public meeting (remote “Zoom”or in person) • City’s website
• News release about the goose overpopulation problem
Integrated Goose Management Plan
Implementation
Public Community Outreach
• Parks & Recreation Commission
• Virtual Meeting(s)
• Community Site Visit(s)
• City Council Meeting
28 29
30 SHORT-TERM SOLUTION STRATEGIES:
GOAL #4 (continued): Educate the public about the need to reduce geese overpopulation
• ACTION TO SATISFY GOAL:
• Inform Santa Clara community members about the need to reduce the goose overpopulation problem via:
• articles for public to read local print/online media
• Request Resolution from Santa Clara Audubon Society
• Continue to ensure public has a “voice” and is informed • Public scoping/educational meetings (via Zoom or in person) • Add public notice on the City’s website, so comments may be submitted Integrated Goose Management Plan
Implementation
31 LONG-TERM SOLUTION STRATEGIES
GOAL 1: Reduce the nesting success and presence of geese at the lake • ACTIONS TO SATISFY GOAL:
• Implement one or more of the management strategies highlighted in the IGM:
• Continue ongoing, annual goose addling to prevent egg hatching = few to no newborn geese born at lake area
Integrated Goose Management Plan
Implementation
32 LONG-TERM SOLUTION STRATEGIES (cont’d)
GOAL 2: Reduce the nesting success and presence of geese at the lake • ACTIONS TO SATISFY GOAL:
• Modify the lake’s habitat to reduce goose immigration presence AND to encourage geese to leave the lake area via:
• Implement habitat modifications, such as:
A) Fencing addition around the Lake
B) Vegetation Plantings:
1) Around the lake
2) On the Island (to reduce nesting success)
Integrated Goose Management Plan
Implementation
33 Community & Commission Input
• Commission Questions
• Community Input
• Commission Discussion
• Commission Recommendation
34