Project Update: August

With the end of nesting season, we will resume removing Eucalyptus and Tamarisk. We will also be spraying smaller tamarisk, fountain grass, pampas grass. Area of focus will include the lake perimeter. Once the city’s preparation for fire season is complete, castor bean and fountain grass will be addressed along Lake Drive.

Thanks, Garry!

A Success Story for Invasive Control

A hardy band of volunteers hand pulled puncture vine (Tribulus terrestris) along the trail and Lake Drive last year. These prickly seed pods are the bane of mountain bike tires and spread seeds attached to tires and shoes. About 40 ‘man’ hours were volunteered to remove the plants in August 2015. This year, exactly (and only) 8 plants grew in the areas where we worked last year.  No other puncture vine plants have been found. Thanks again for a job well done.

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June Work Party

A big thanks to the Eco Rotary Club of Solana Beach!

89 new natives were planted along the north shore of Lake Hodges, by the dam.

Eco Rotary has also begun testing the water quality of the lake. Samples will be taken over a period of 12 months, to determine the effects of habitat restoration on water quality. Their progress and test results will be posted on their website.

Project Update: July

City weed abatement is still working its way through town and we plan for a focused effort on Castor bean and fountain grass along the Lake Drive once the city’s preparation for fire season is complete.

Land cleared of eucalyptus is now growing oaks, willow and sycamores. Dozens of native shrubs and oak trees are planted or volunteered unplanted, from the existing seed banks and are being nurtured with the goal of a 70% native cover on the disturbed land in 2 years. Planting areas are being watered and natives are getting big, especially the Sycamores and mule fat.

The public staying out of the planted areas keeps damage to a minimum.

Project Update: May

Working on the removal of tamarisk, eucalyptus, pampas grass and other noxious weeds in the“bathtub ring” of the Lake with the new lower water level. The addition of acres of willows around seasonal watercourses to create high quality Southwestern Willow Flycatcher habitat.

Land cleared of eucalyptus is now growing oaks, willow and sycamores. Dozens of native species have volunteered from the existing seed banks and are being nurtured and the floral display is exceptional. We are planting the more natives and removing the rain generated weeds. Most of the restoration area west of Del Dios Park is now planted, with both pole and potted plants. We are watering our native plantings, so the public staying out of the areas keeps the damage to a minimum.