Jan. 29 Cleanup Report

What a lovely day it was at the Nature Park! Old friends and new wandered in through out the morning. A couple of young families arrived to help out and to look for lizards and other critters.


Others got down and dirty pulling weeds like...


horehound (Marrubium vulgare) before it goes into bloom, forming seed heads that stick to everything.


This horehound has been left to dry out in the sun, leaving room for black sage (Salvia mellifera) and other natives to thrive.


Seedling of sagebrush (Artemisia californica) will do just fine!


Coast sunflower (Encelia californica) on left and large black sage (Salvia mellifera) on right have enjoyed this winter's rains. It took several plantings of the encelia to get one going. Early ones didn't get enough rain and cooked by the wall. This one seems like it will make it. Keep a look out for its happy yellow flowers.



Hope to see some of you at the Nature Park. If you can't make it for the scheduled cleanups, do make the time to go for a stroll - there's always something interesting to see.

Future cleanups are scheduled for:

February 12, 2011
March 19, 2011 (changed from 3/12)
April 9, 2011

PARK CLEANUP, SATURDAY, January 29, 2011, 9 am - noon

Don't know about you all, but I am ready to get back into the park and pull some weeds. On my last visit to the park horehound (Marrubium vulgare) was out of control. Here are some of the weeds we will be battling as the war on the weeds continues!

Horehound (Marrubium vulgare)


Castorbean (Ricinus communis)


Mustard (Brassica and Hirshfeldia species)


Milk thistle (Silybum marianum)


Meet at the park info sign on Pasadena Ave and then head down into the park. The group will pull weeds, pick up litter, and enjoy the park. Come for the whole time, for an hour, or just stop by to say hello.


Nature Park entrance on Pasadena Ave., east of the York St. Bridge

Remember to:
- wear sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
- bring water
- bring gardening gloves and tools (weeders, trowels, whatever you use in your own garden)
- comfortable work clothes, including work shoes (sneakers or boots)
- binoculars for bird watching (optional)

Children must be under adult supervision at all times. There is poison oak in the park, which we will point out before we start.

Please pass this info along to anyone else you think might be interested in the park. If you know of anyone who doesn't use the internet, let me know so we can be sure they are kept in the loop.
See you soon!

NO PARK CLEANUP IN JANUARY

I am sorry but I will not be available for the regular park cleanup this Saturday, January 8th. Please feel free to go on down to the park at your convenience to pick up litter, weed and just enjoy.

Future cleanups are scheduled for:

February 12, 2011
March 12, 2011
April 9, 2011

I will try to make it down on Saturday, January 29. This is tentative, so check your email (let me know if you want to be on the Nature Park email list) and this blog for confirmation.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year.

Barbara