Sustainability

The Ranch at Quailbrook Lane was designed to operate in concert with the earth’s natural resources, echoing the naturalist Henry David Thoreau’s observation that “it is the marriage of the soul with nature that makes the intellect fruitful, and gives birth to imagination.”

Restorative grazing practices

  • Grazing practices have been utilized that have naturally restored native grasses to the landscape and increased the biodiversity of wildflowers that bloom in the spring.
  • Grazing practices also naturally reduce fuel load on the property.
  • Native grasses have been propagated through the grazing practices and have very deep root systems that sequester more carbon and enable better penetration of rain to sink the water into the water table rather than just sheeting off the property.
  • “Bunch grasses” are an important habitat for nesting native birds of the region.

Regenerative agriculture

  • Twenty acres of gently sloping meadows already plumbed with irrigation that could support farming. Additional acreage could be developed by expanding the water systems.
  • The land could support a robust regenerative farming enterprise while serving as an educational model for other aspiring farmers.

Management of Water Resources

  • Targeted use of swales have been valuable for helping to “sink” rainfall into the earth rather than it sheeting across the property.
  • There are bountiful water resources on the property in the form of springs, some
 of which have not been developed and a well that has never needed to be used.
  • One of the woodlands has year round water and the understory green with
 equisetum and other wetland flora.
  • A comprehensive study and mapping of surface water flows has been done with
 recommendations to guide further interventions to buffer the effects of large rain event.

Woodlands

  • Thoughtful maintenance of many other woodlands that improve the health of those areas and their beauty, creating wonderful areas to walk or mediate.
  • There are many islands of forested areas that have been limbed up and maintained, creating healthier woodlands.

Planting of Native Trees

  • Over 2,000 native trees have been planted on the property, primarily in seasonal creek beds. These include willows, cottonwoods, maples, several species of oaks, bay trees, buck-eyes, sycamores, and redwoods.
  • As these trees have grown over the last dozen years, they have created habitat for animals and birds. It is not unusual in a day to see deer, jack rabbits, wild turkeys, owls, red tail hawks, squirrels, and a wide variety of birds, many of which are migratory that stop at the property for a few months before they move on.
  • Drought tolerant native plantings around buildings and building sites are focused on attracting pollinators, humming birds and habitat other birds and wildlife.

Infrastructure

  • One comprehensive, solar-powered water system installed over the past 12 years supports the entire property – including all residential and agriculture uses.
  • A 100,000 gallon water tank ensures that a large volume of water is always available. The storage tank gravity-feeds water to all buildings at 80 PSI to ensure excellent water pressure. 	
  • At-grade, modified mound system septic system with an 8-bedroom capacity to support the entire property with a central control panel and alarm.

Building Materials

  • The owners have focused on building with sustainable and eco-friendly materials.
  • Beautiful reclaimed lumber from various Bay Area  is used in three of the buildings.
  • Buildings were built with a focus on a high energy efficiency.