Partners assemble for a group photo at the dedication of the Jacoby Creek-Gannon Slough Wildife Area, Nov. 9.2007. (Photo: courtesy The Arcata Eye)

By Paula Golightly, Arcata Fish & Wildlife Office

The City of Arcata held a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony on November 9, 2007 for the 550 acre Jacoby Creek/Gannon Slough Wildlife Area.  Agency and landowner partners were invited to join the celebration.  The land is owned by the City of Arcata and portions of the wildlife area were acquired in partnership with the California Coastal Conservancy from funds provided by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Coastal Wetlands Grants Program.  Greg Gray, Paula Golightly and Conor Shea of The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program at the Arcata Fish and Wildlife Office provided critical technical and financial assistance with stream and riparian restoration work on the wildlife area.
 

Arcata Mayor Harmony Groves discussed the importance of the wildlife area and the open space it provides for fish, wildlife and the community.  The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service was prominently identified as one of the project’s partners on the Wildlife Area sign unveiled by Groves during the ceremony.  Several of these signs will be placed around the wildlife area.

Mark Andre, environmental services director for the City of Arcata thanked all of the partners for their work and support to establish, restore, and enhance the property.  A group photo was taken, and a guided walk along creeks and sloughs also occurred.