Habitat helpers honored

California’s Department of Transportation has honored a Rocklin-based environmental consulting firm for its work designing, building and maintaining a local vernal pool and freshwater marsh.

Restoration Resources was chosen from among nearly 90 entries of the environmental category of the 2008 Excellence in Transportation Awards. Caltrans and the Butte County Association of Governments hired the company during the recent transportation project that transformed Highway 149 into a four-lane expressway.

In addition to developing a habitat-conservation and -development plan, the company provided the management of 30 acres of vernal pools and 7.6 acres of freshwater marsh (pictured). Through Restoration Resources’ community-outreach program, the Learning Center, the habitat will now serve as an educational site for Butte County students.