California High Speed Rail Mitigation Preserve Project
VNLC undertook a first-of-its kind landscape-level restoration of a formerly leveled vernal pool landscape. Based on LiDAR data, historical aerial photos, and extensive soil pit studies, we designed a complete pool-swale-mound system. Full topographic complexity was restored to the site using GPS-controlled earth-moving equipment. Our licensed UAV (drone) pilots conducted drone-based topographic surveys during and after the earthwork to track progress and create exceptionally high-resolution as-built drawings. The intense soil studies have led to >100% hydrologic function in the restored pools, and the pools have been colonized by multiple special-status species in their first wet year.