About Arroyo Grande's The Village

Woods Weekly Mews

January 19th, 2011

Offsite Volunteer Yvonne Abbott and Barney on a recent retirement home visit
-bringing a wagging tail and wet nose to those in need

"Cats only pretend to be domesticated if they think there's a bowl of milk in it for them."
- Robin Williams

A cat always has a reason for why he does what he does - self preservation - and the only reason he will choose an alternative behavior is because he believes it's a better option. So, what do you do if Fluffy is exhibiting a behavior that is unacceptable to you, such as scratching the furniture, using the corner of your living room instead of her litter box, jumping on your counters, etc.?

Did You Know? what doesn't work? Punishment. With a cat, never does, never will. Yelling, swatting, hitting will only make your cat fear and dislike you (and make you feel like a jerk). Cats live in the moment and in just seconds after she's done something, she will not associate your anger or reaction with her behavior. Trying to punish your cat will simply confuse and scare her, gradually eroding her sense of confidence and feeling of safety in her environment. And it will most certainly erode the relationship between the two of you. Aversion therapy (such as squirt guns, noisemakers, etc.) is not much better and should only be used as a last resort. "Booby-trapping" your cat's world will only make her afraid of her environment, leading to additional problems.

So - short of giving up and deciding to scrap the whole cat idea and become a dog person, what can you do to stop Bongo from driving you nuts from whatever "bad" behavior he's exhibiting? Well - it's up to you to understand why he is exhibiting the behavior in the first place, then offer an alternative solution that Bongo will think is better than what he's currently doing. Stop rolling your eyes - it's not as crazy as it sounds. This week and next week's Mews will look as some of the most common "unwanted" behaviors, how they relate back to life in the wild, and offer some suggestions for alternatives Bongo might go for.

Scratching the Furniture - In the wild, it is always necessary for a cat to have a strong, well-maintained set of claws. Her claws are her weapons to defend herself and her cubs, they help her climb to safety if needed and help her capture food. Scratching helps maintain those claws - it helps her shed old, outgrown claw sheaths and keeps them in top condition. Additionally, scratching is a full body exercise, stretching and toning every muscle in her body. And, in the wild, scratching is also a way of marking territory - a sign to another cat that says "I'm here - stay away".

Just because Gremlin is an indoor cat doesn't stop the urge - and need - to scratch. To keep him happy and healthy, you should provide not just one, but multiple scratching posts for Gremlin to use. Just as in the wild, indoor cats have their territory and feel the need to "mark it" by scratching. Having multiple posts will help prevent him from marking the south end of his territory on your couch. Cats crave routine, so if you take the time to observe Gremlin for a few days, you'll quickly recognize his patterns and be able to place his posts in strategic locations. Also, make sure the posts are tall enough so that he can stretch his body completely, otherwise he might choose your taller recliner over his short post.

For obvious reason, it's ideal to try these tactics before Furball is in the habit of using your favorite armchair - it's much easier to prevent problems than to change them once they become habits. However, if inappropriate scratching is already a problem, here are some suggestions:

• Put a scratching post in front of the area that Furball is currently scratching.
• Attach a favorite toy to, or dose the post with catnip.
• Engage Furball in play so that she climbs or scratches around on the post - then praise, praise, praise (treats will help!).
• Once Furball decides that it's more fun to use the post than the chair, begin to move it slowly over time to a location close by that works for both of you.

Jumping on Counters - In the wild, settling into a high place such as a tree or tall rock serves a couple of different purposes. It allows the cat a better viewing advantage to watch for prey and also to watch out for and hide from other predators - it offers a sense of security. Being up higher than the surrounding environment offers a sense of security to your little domestic companion, too. But, it's understandable that you would prefer that Blossom stay off of the kitchen counters. And given the choice, Blossom would probably happily choose a soft perch with a view, rather than a cold, hard kitchen counter any day.

This is an easy one - create a high spot for Blossom in front of a window. This can be a cat tree, an inexpensive "cat hammock" that fits on the window sill, or something as simple as a piece of furniture with a cushion, placed in front of a window. Make sure Blossom knows it's her space - a few treats, again, will go a long way - and (hopefully) she will decide it's a better place to lounge.

Next week we'll look at litter box issues and kitty's hunting instincts. And in future "Mews" we'll go into even more depth with each of these issues. Just remember - with a cat, it's all about offering them a better choice. Good luck...

Linda Beatson
Volunteer Captain

Something to Celebrate:
Last week's happy tails:

Feline Adoptions- Wookie, Leo, Patches, Avila and Paint

K9 Adoptions- Biscuit, Kovu, Alexandra, Duke, Cody, Cheyenne, Gorda, Kerry, Boo Boo, Tucker, Alex and B.B.

Felines to work on this week:

• Pearl - the medium haired gray kitty in the condo in the vestibule. She is very fearful and needs people to very quietly and gently pet her and talk to her. She is more comfortable right now staying in the condo. Her condo mates, Cuddles and Buster could use extra love (and wet food), too.

• Bonnie - a black and white tuxedo in the kitten room. She's a bit fearful and has been hissing when people approach her condo. She responds wonderfully if you take her into a "get acquainted room" and let her play and warm up to you. She's coming around quickly and with some extra love should be fine soon.

K9's to work on this week:

• On-site Volunteers please work through general obedience training with Barney, Travis, McPhee and Jessie.
• Off-site Handlers please target Cascious, Luke, and Kizzy for long walks, hikes, etc.

Thank you all for responding so well to our new K9 & Feline Weekly Focus section. Last week's off-site list shows that every dog had an opportunity to work with a volunteer out in the community.

Upcoming Outreach Events

Saturday and Sunday, January 22nd & 23rd: If you are in need of plants and/or planting materials, Sage Eco-Garden and Nursery in Los Osos is sponsoring a fundraising event for Woods 10% of all sales will be donated to Woods and we will have some of our lovable kitties on display both days. We hope to see you there!

Saturday, January 29th: Central Coast Roller Derby at the Paso Robles Event Center. Volunteers are needed to assist with transportation and handling of our Woods dogs to and from the event. Please contact me if you are available and can lend a hand.



Make sure to assign Woods Humane Society to your club card(s) if you shop at any of the markets below. The shelter will receive a portion of your purchase every time you shop! Simply visit the websites of the markets below and click on their community contribution links. Contact me if you have any questions.

Ralphs: # 7746187

Scolaris: # 5139

You can also help support the shelter by using www.goodsearch.com when surfing the web. Let them know you are searching for Woods Humane Society and we receive a donation every time you use goodsearch.

And don't forget that you can easily sign up for our monthly giving program by visiting our online donation form to set up an automatic donation through your checking account.

Woods Weekly Mews

A Volunteer Publication

December 8th, 2010

"Curiosity killed the cat, satisfaction brought it back!" - English Proverb

Mark you calendars - this Saturday, December 11th, from 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. is Woods Humane Society's annual Holiday Open House. Bring your dog (or cat if he is extraordinarily calm around lots of dogs) to have their picture made with Santa, bring doggie in to our microchip clinic, or purchase a one of a kind cat painting (which make wonderful gifts for the animal lover in your life!). Or better still, think about adopting one of the wonderful cats or dogs at the shelter - they'd love to have a new home for the holidays!

We've eaten our way through Thanksgiving and the holiday season is in full swing with Hanukkah here and Christmas just around the corner. And most of you no doubt are busy baking, shopping and decorating. If you have kitties or doggies around, there are some things to keep in mind during this time of year to keep your furry loved ones safe.

Did You Know? Poinsettias, holly and mistletoe are all poisonous to cats (and dogs). If you plan to decorate with these plants, make sure they are placed out of reach of your furry friends (a difficult task with kitties on the scene). Even some foods often common during the holidays - chocolate, alcoholic beverages, onions and yeast dough can all cause problems for cats and dogs. Chocolate contains the compound theobromine which is a diuretic and heart stimulant. While harmless (and delicious) to humans, in animals it can cause diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy and muscle tremors.

Christmas trees can pose potential hazards to pussycat, as well. If you have a real Christmas tree, make sure to block the access to the water in the tree stand from your cat (this is where a pretty tree skirt can serve a dual purpose). The water can become contaminated by fertilizers from the tree and/or can become a breeding ground for bacteria causing stomach problems.

Though it sounds obvious, don't use breakable ornaments on your tree within kitty paw reach - they are tempting potential toys that can cause serious cuts to tender paws if they fall and break. I've learned through experience to decorate the bottom half of our tree with soft or non-breakable ornaments like stuffed toys. All three cats love the tree and spend much of the day lounging underneath. And quite frequently I find my little teddy bear, reindeer and kitty ornaments in all corners of the room after being batted around in good sport. And before Maggie became a little old lady cat (and before we switched to an artificial tree), she would climb the tree and nap in the branches (she's a tiny 6 pounder). While it was extremely cute and made for some adorable photo ops, breakable ornaments wouldn't have lasted long in her wake. If your cat is a tree climber you might try hanging an orange or lemon scented air freshener in the inner branches - it might make the tree less appealing.

Also, while it's not used very often these days, avoid the use of tinsel on your tree. The long strands will be irresistible to kitty and can be easily swallowed and cause intestinal blockage. Equally dangerous are edible decorations such as popcorn or cranberry garlands. Kitty can get sick or choke on these items. And if you plan on giving kitty presents, avoid putting catnip filled toys under the tree unless you want kitty to go wild and unwrap all of your gifts to get to hers!

And last, and hopefully equally obvious, never leave lit candles unattended with kitty around. She can become interested in the flame and strike out at it, burning her paw or knocking it over, risking a fire. And even just walking by a lit candle can put kitty at risk from fluffy tail getting just a bit too close.

Something to Celebrate:

Last week's happy tails:
Feline Adoptions- Q, Blackie, Alan, Cheetah, Lulu and Leila

K9 Adoptions- Coco, Audrey, Little Man, Aramis, Polo, Daisy, Cheyenne, Witch, Patches and Lucy

While you are enjoying the holidays, don't forget that the cats (and dogs) at Woods still need loving attention from our wonderful volunteers. The cats will especially welcome warm laps to curl up in as the weather gets chilly. And if you can manage, please think about adding Woods to your holiday shopping list - items such as paper towels, dog and cat toys and treats, copy paper, toilet paper, and bedding will be gratefully welcomed. And the Holiday Open House is the purrfect time to bring your items and join the fun!

Linda Beatson
Volunteer Captain

"A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues" - Cicero

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!
We hope that you have a wonderful day with friends and family.

Did You Know? When the Mayflower reached Plymouth Rock on December 21, 1620 there were 102 passengers: 52 men, 18 women, 32 children - plus several dogs and cats. In the 16th century, cats were routinely kept on ships to protect the limited food supplies from rodents. And it's been documented that some of the families brought their family pets - both dogs and cats - with them to the new world. So it's very probable that there were cats at (or at least somewhere around) the first Thanksgiving celebration.

Cats were important to the new settlers for exactly the same reason they were important on the ship - to protect the colonist's limited food stores from rodents. Indeed, in 1749, the colonists were forced to send for hundreds of cats from Europe to stop the infestation of black rats (which carried plague). The supply of cats was scarce, however, so it's not known how many cats were imported at that time.

I don't know whether or not there were domesticated cats in America when the colonists landed - perhaps someone who knows Native American culture can answer that (perhaps that will be a future Mews if I figure it out). But it's likely that our common domestic cats are at least in part, descendants of the British short haired cats that came over with the colonists and, as such, have a strong tie to our current day Thanksgiving! (OK - I guess some dogs have ties, too...)

Something to Celebrate:

Last week's happy tails:
Feline Adoptions- Lilly, Aria, Chumash and Milo

K9 Adoptions- Kovu, Kyle, Sparky, Duffy, Bruce, Blade, Luna, Shiner, Wicket, Bristol, Chane and Iago

Again - Happy Thanksgiving! And while you are giving thanks for the blessings in your life, think, too, of the blessings that come from your little furry friends. They add so much to our every day lives - companionship, laughter and unconditional love. That truly is a blessing I'm thankful for!

And please do not forget to assign Woods Humane Society to your Ralphs or Scolaris club cards. The shelter will receive a donation for every purchase that you make. See the bottom of the Mews for links and program details.

Linda Beatson
Volunteer Captain

Call for Aid: The shelter is currently very low on bedding. Please bring in your old blankets and towels and help us keep our furry friends warm through the cold season.

Upcoming Outreach Events:

Seminar:
Saturday, December 4th- 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.- Our good friends with Good Dogma Obedience Training (in association with WHS) are hosting a Looking for Mr. Good Dog: Making the best choice for you and your family seminar in our Community Room. This seminar focuses on how to pick the right dog to match your individual lifestyle/family/living situation. If you are someone that you know is considering adopting a new dog into their homes, I highly recommend attending this informative seminar. Preregistration is required and can be found by visiting www.gooddogma.net

Sunday, December 5th- Friends of the K9 Retirement Party. This event takes place up at Paso Park in Paso Robles and will honor the service of a retiring Paso Robles PD K9 Unit. Woods volunteers are needed to assist with transportation and to staff our outreach booth from 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

SAVE THE DATE- Woods Humane Society's annual Holiday Open House will take place on Saturday, December 11th from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Posters are now available in the volunteer area. Feel free to take a stack and help us distribute them throughout the community.


Our event features:

• Holiday Pet Portraits with Santa
• Feline Painting (wonderful holiday gift idea)
• $20 Micro Chip Clinic
• $55 Holiday Homecoming Adopt-a-Thon (all WHS animals)
• Shelter Gear: T-shirts, Hats, Sweatshirts, etc.
• Shelter Tours & Holiday Goodies
• Meet Mikey! Our new office cat
  
• And much more

Raising Funds- PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO ASSIGN WHS

Arroyo Grande Valley Harbest Ferstival, from 4 to 9pm Friday, 10 to 5pm Saturday. Includes a parade, entertainment, booths, competitions, food, display areas and more.

Arroyo Grande Village. FREE For more information, visit www.agharvestfestival.com.

73RD ARROYO GRANDE VALLEY HARVEST FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

times subject to change

Friday, September 24, 2010 - Olohan Alley Area ONLY except as noted

4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted

Information booth - 11:00 a.m. - Closing

First aid - lost and found - 11:00 a.m. - Closing

Saturday, September 25, 2010 - Festival opens All Areas 10:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted

Information booth

First aid - lost and found

Friday, September 24, 2010

4:00 p.m. Olohan Alley - Mason Street to Bridge Street

Carnival

Confetti Eggs

Dunk Tank

Craft booths

Commercial and promotional vendor booths

Food booths

Haunted house - Kiwanis Park

Inflatables - Olohan Alley near Bridge Street

Farm and Agricultural Displays and Sales

4:00 p.m. Gazebo - (Olohan Alley)

Rare Elements Dance Collective

4:00 p.m. Short Street - off Olohan Alley

Rotary Fish Fry

5:00 p.m. Gazebo - (Olohan Alley)

Official kickoff

0pening Ceremonies

Gettysburg address - President, Abraham Lincoln

Flag Presentation - Boy Scout Color Guard

National Anthem

Pledge of Allegiance

5:10 p.m. Gazebo - (Olohan Alley)

The Demos

5:45 p.m. Behind City Hall @ Mason Street

Chili Contest

Salsa Contest

6:00 p.m. Gazebo - (Olohan Alley)

Grand Marshal Introduction

7:15 p.m. Gazebo - (Olohan Alley)

Award Presentation to Chili and Salsa Contest Winners

8:00 p.m. Rotary Bandstand - Heritage Square Park - Nelson Street

Free Movie: "Over the Hedge" (Rated G) - bring lawn chairs & a blanket and enjoy

Snacks provided for a fee

Saturday, September 25, 2010

8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Country Fair Baking Contest - food drop off only - - Heritage House Lawn

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon Wiener Dog Race Registration - Heritage Green near Mason Street

10:00 a.m.- begins North of Bank of America, Branch Street - easterly through the Village of

Parade

Arroyo Grande to Mason Street, south on Mason to Poole Street

Harvest Festival Association Members - Reserved Seating for Parade, Branch Street

10:00 a.m. Olohan Alley - Mason Street to Bridge Street

Carnival

Craft booths

Commercial and promotional vendor booths

Food booths

Haunted house - Kiwanis Park

Inflatables - Olohan Alley near Bridge Street

Coloring contestants' drawings displayed

Arroyo Grande Police Department - Command Van

Arroyo Grande High School Robotics Team

Antique Engines (Local Antique Engine Club, sponsor)

10:00 a.m. Ag Pavilion (parking lot behind the Information Booth on Olohan Alley)

Veggie decorating contest

Home-grown fruits and veggies - display and contest

Fresh cut flowers display and contest

Farm and agricultural displays & Sales -featuring tractors and farm equipment along with

Chumash Farms, Los Osos; David's Blue Ribbon Honey, Arroyo Grande;

Arroyo Grande in Bloom

10:00 a.m. Santa Manuela Schoolhouse & Historical Society Barn & vicinity - Short Street off of Nelson

SLO Model Railroad Association display - Historical Society Barn

Tractor Displays (immediately following the parade)

South County Historical Society Vehicles (following the parade)

10:00 a.m. Short Street from Nelson Street to the Swinging Bridge

Kiddie's Train Ride

Tractor Displays

10:00 a.m. Rotary Bandstand and Heritage Square Park - Mason and Nelson Street

Petting Zoo -Ranchos de Los Animales

Food Booths

Boy Scouts of America Camp

10:00 a.m. Heritage House Lawn - Mason Street

Heritage House and Gardens are Open

11:00 a.m. Olohan Alley - near Bridge Street

Farmer's Market

11:30 a.m. Gazebo - Olohan Alley

Viper Six (performances until 2:00 p.m.)

11:45 a.m. Rotary Bandstand - Heritage Square Park - Nelson Street

Diaper Derby (Rotary Bandstand)

Award Presentation immediately following Derby at the Bandstand

12:00 noon Gina's Backyard Olohan Alley behind Gina's Italian Restaurant

Costume Contest - best dressed vintage male & female

Photo Op - "old west" backdrop and a stagecoach

Hoosegow - Watch out for the Sheriff - he'll arrest you if you don't have your button!!

Vintage Law Enforcement Badge Display

Old West Gun Display

Centennial Scroll - Opportunity to add your name to the scroll which will be buried in the

time capsule during next year's Centennial Celebration on July 10th.

12:00 noon Nelson Street

Big Ditch Derby

1:00 p.m Rotary Bandstand - Heritage Square Park - Nelson Street

Coastal Dance and Music Academy

1:00 p.m Heritage Square Park - Mason and Nelson Streets

Wiener Dog Races followed by Award Ceremony

1:15 p.m. Santa Manuela Schoolhouse - Short Street off of Nelson Street

Spelling Bee: Grades 3 & 4 - Awards Presented at completion of this age group

President Abraham Lincoln will be assisting

1:15 p.m. Heritage House Lawn - Mason Street

Country Fair Baking Contest Judging (come check out the judges and the food)

1:45 p.m. Rotary Bandstand - Heritage Square Park - Nelson Street

Whiskerino Contest (all about Beards and Moustaches, or lack of)

Master of Ceremonies: Ballooney the Clown

2:00 p.m. Rotary Bandstand - Heritage Square Park - Nelson Street

Studio of Performing Arts

2:00 p.m. Gazebo Area - Olohan Alley

Pie Eating Contest

2:00 p.m. Heritage House Lawn - Mason Street

President Abraham Lincoln and Lt. Col. Knox Historical Presentation

2:00 p.m. Santa Manuela Schoolhouse - Short Street off of Nelson Street

Spelling Bee: Grades 5 & 6 - Awards Presented at completion of this age group

2:30 p.m. Gazebo - Olohan Alley

The BlueSouls (performances until closing)

2:30 p.m. Heritage House Lawn - Mason Street

Country Fair Baking Contest Baking Contest Public Tasting (ends at 2:50 p.m.)

2:45 p.m. Rotary Bandstand - Heritage Square Park - Nelson Street

Awards: Big Ditch Derby

2:50 p.m. Heritage Square Park - Mason and Nelson Streets

Cow Chip Throwing Contest

3:00 p.m. Rotary Bandstand - Heritage Square Park - Nelson Street

Pismo Beach Youth Theatre

3:00 p.m Heritage Square Park- Mason and Nelson Streets

Doc Burnstein's Ice Cream Olympics and Awards (Ages 4 - 14)

3:00 p.m. Santa Manuela Schoolhouse - Short Street off of Nelson Street

Spelling Bee: Grades 7 & 8 - Awards Presented at completion of this age group

3:15 p.m. Ag Pavilion

Nail Driving Contest (Ag Pavilion)

3:40 p.m. Contests Close for: Veggie Decorating, Home grown fruits & veggies, Fresh Cut Flowers,

Costumes - Ag Pavilion and Gina's Backyard

3:40 p.m Heritage House Lawn - Mason Street

Award Presentation - Country Fair Baking Contest

Assisted by President Abraham Lincoln

3:50 p.m. Rotary Bandstand - Heritage Square Park - Nelson Street

Awards: Cow Chip Throwing

3:55 p.m. Rotary Bandstand - Heritage Square Park - Nelson Street

Ballooney the Clown Sets the stage

4:00 p.m. Gazebo - Olohan Alley

Award Presentation - Veggie Decorating, Home grown fruits & veggies, Fresh Cut Flowers

Award Presentation - Costumes

4:10 p.m. Gazebo - Olohan Alley

Button Numbers drawn - Numbers posted at the Information Booth after the drawing

4:15 p.m. Rotary Bandstand - Heritage Square Park - Nelson Street

Grand Finale of the 73rd Annual Arroyo Grande Valley Harvest Festival

Featuring: Ballooney the Clown and President Abraham Lincoln

Chicken Dance

Kiddie's Parade across the Swinging Bridge, onto Olohan Alley for a Penny Toss

5:00 p.m. All Activities, Vendor Booths, Displays Close

Arroyo Grande, California My Hometown USA

Think of the ideal community. A place so perfect that some say it doesn't exist. You'd want it sunny, but not too hot; lively, but not too crowded; charming, but not kitschy. Of course you'd want it to be scenic too. On the practical side, the ideal community would need to link you to the rest of the world. You'd also want great schools, access to the performing and visual arts, a healthy job market and a safe and secure neighborhood with friendly and caring neighbors. In short you'd want a great qualify of life for you and your family. It's not just a day dream. The perfect place does exist! It's the Arroyo Grande Valley on the central coast of California.

Here's a snapshot of things to see and do while you're in Arroyo Grande. Camp, picnic, hike and water ski at the picturesque Lopez Lake Recreational Area, located only 10 miles northeast of Arroyo Grande. Kids will love the waterslides that operate during the summer when temperatures are warm and evenings balmy. The park has more than 300 individual and group campsites for tents or recreational vehicles. A launching ramp at the marina allows you to explore the 900+ acres of lake in a boat – rentals available. Fishing is excellent year-round with large, warm-water game fish like trout, crappie, catfish, black bass and bluegill. And with almost 4,300 acres, there are plenty of hiking trails leading to fields of wildflowers and beautiful vista. Don't forget your camera!

From the Arroyo Grande Chamber of Commerce

History and Stats (for those that enjoy this kind of data)

Arroyo Grande (locally known as: A.G. ) is a city in San Luis Obispo County, California. The population was 15,851 at the 2000 census. Arroyo Grande is a small coastal town with historic, suburban and rural elements. It is one of the cities on the Central Coast known as the Five Cities (Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Oceano, Shell Beach and Pismo Beach). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.7 square miles, all of it land.

The earliest inhabitants of the Arroyo Grande valley were Chumash Indians, who conducted extensive trade with other Native American tribes at considerable distance. The first European to see the area was Spanish explorer Juan Cabrillo. The Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa was established nearby and agricultural activities expanded into the area. The Arroyo Grande valley was found to have particularly fertile ground and was given the name for “wide riverbed” in Spanish.

In 1862, the San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors established the township of Arroyo Grande. Businesses developed along a road called Branch Street to serve local agriculture. A railroad depot was build in 1882. The City of Arroyo Grande was incorporated on July 10, 1911. This community experienced rapid growth in the 1970's and 1980's, partially due to the expansion of the wastewater treatment plant, under an EPA Clean Water Grant, that removed a growth constraint. This federal grant program required preparation of an Environmental Impact Report which document provided much of the initial environmental database for Arroyo Grande.

Arroyo Grande is located in a coastal ecosystem within the California floristic province and the native habitats include coast live oak woodland, central coastal scrub, willow and mixed riparian along Arroyo Grande Creek and numerous tributaries, native bunch-grass grassland, coastal prairie, dunes and intertidal zone and non-native and agricultural areas.