About a week ago I wrote a really short piece on the Nature Park for my other blog: Wild Suburbia. For those new to the park, it gives a brief overview of when it was made into a park and how the Friends of the Nature Park got started.
As a reminder, we will be planting this season. If you know of any students, scouts, or others who would like to volunteer, please give them my email address (barbara.eisenstein@gmail.com). We haven't chosen a date to plant yet, but it may be in mid-January. If any of you have suggestions, please let me know.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Barbara
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
November 14 Clean up Report
The picture below is is the most encouraging sign that the nature park is healing. Some California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) was planted in the park. The plant is native to this area and was likely here before we wreaked havoc on the Arroyo. This one is a seedling that came either from those that were planted here or nearby, or maybe it comes from seed that has been dormant in the soil, or possibly it was brought here by a bird. Regardless of how it got here, it is the beginning of recovery for this degraded land.
But not all is perfect in the park. Weeds continue to be a difficult problem. Here you can see the castor bean (Ricinus communis) seedlings coming up in great number. On Saturday we spent time clearing several areas of these pesty weeds.
I am reading a book on vegetation restoration, Bringing Back the Bush, written by Joan Bradley, an Australia woman, who worked with her sister Eileen Bradley battling weeds in the Australian bush. The climate and plant types found there are quite similar to our chaparral and coastal sage scrub. We can learn much from their experience. They have come up with three basic principles for what they call the Bradley method and these are: 1) start from the non-weedy areas (if there are any) and work from there out; 2) work with great care to create as little disturbance while weeding as possible; and 3) do not over clear.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is another opportunistic weed.
We have made some mistakes according to the Bradley method, but we should try to implement their methods in the future because they have found them to work, and they make sense. The general idea is that weeds win in disturbed environments. Over clearing an area makes it perfect for aggressive, invasive weeds to take control. Disturbance also tips the scale in favor of weeds. The idea is to work with nature by removing weeds while encouraging native vegetation to get a foothold because weeds have more difficulty competing with natives in undisturbed sites.
California buckwheat seedling (Eriogonum fasciculatum)
But not all is perfect in the park. Weeds continue to be a difficult problem. Here you can see the castor bean (Ricinus communis) seedlings coming up in great number. On Saturday we spent time clearing several areas of these pesty weeds.
Castor bean (Ricinus communis)
I am reading a book on vegetation restoration, Bringing Back the Bush, written by Joan Bradley, an Australia woman, who worked with her sister Eileen Bradley battling weeds in the Australian bush. The climate and plant types found there are quite similar to our chaparral and coastal sage scrub. We can learn much from their experience. They have come up with three basic principles for what they call the Bradley method and these are: 1) start from the non-weedy areas (if there are any) and work from there out; 2) work with great care to create as little disturbance while weeding as possible; and 3) do not over clear.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is another opportunistic weed.
We have made some mistakes according to the Bradley method, but we should try to implement their methods in the future because they have found them to work, and they make sense. The general idea is that weeds win in disturbed environments. Over clearing an area makes it perfect for aggressive, invasive weeds to take control. Disturbance also tips the scale in favor of weeds. The idea is to work with nature by removing weeds while encouraging native vegetation to get a foothold because weeds have more difficulty competing with natives in undisturbed sites.
I would like to apply this idea by having individuals adopt areas that have some native plants and then work out from their areas. One spot might be near the sycamore circle. There is the remains of an ailanthus (tree of heaven) forest in this area. If several people focus only on that area, then eventually the massive root system will be depleted of nutrition and will begin to decompose.
A second area is south of the water retention basin. The castor beans were particularly thick in this area. We removed many seedlings this Saturday, with less disturbance to the site since they were young and easy to pull. We need to make sure no castor bean grows to reproductive size. By allowing the seeds in the soil to germinate and then removing them, we will eventually deplete the seed bank. At the same time we need to plant or encourage native plants to get going so that they will keep the area natural.
A third area is near the newly planted kiosk in the center. The native buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) in this area is seeding around. Rather than planting the whole central mound, let's start by the kiosk and gradually move towards the golf course. Datura (Datura wrightii) is a native disturbance plant that one expects to find in disturbed areas where non-native weeds haven't completely dominated. Many are coming up in this central area so we need to protect and encourage them.
Datura seedling (Datura wrightii)
So pick your spot and keep at it, and as always, enjoy the Nature Park.
Pretty picture of the day: alkali dropseed (Sporobolus airoides).
Friday, November 13, 2009
Park Clean-up - Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, 9 - 12
PARK CLEAN UP: SATURDAY , November 14, 2009, 9 am - noon
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!
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.
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!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
October 4 Clean-up Report
Beautiful red dragonfly
Although several people suggested that they had been unable to attend the Saturday clean-ups, few new people came this Sunday either. Unless I get a stronger commitment for Sundays, I will stick with the second Saturday of the month for future park clean-ups.
If you haven't stopped by, do so, the park is looking better all the time. Now that the weeds are less of a problem, we will focus more attention on planting to improve the vegetation in the park. Depending on weather, I am hoping to plant in November or December. I will let everyone know when that will be. We will have over a hundred plants, so I hope we can get some help.
Sunday was a beautiful cool day at the park. We found little castor bean or other weeds. The big one now is the Russian thistle, aka tumbleweed, (Salsola tragus). As I mentioned in the September report, we will concentrate on removing young plants since the older ones have already seeded. This plant needs to be bagged to make sure we remove the seeds. It likes disturbed soil, so in time, as the park stabilizes, it should become less of a problem.
Deerweed (Lotus scoparius)
I know the above picture isn't exciting to many of you, but this plant is a native found in sites with disturbance, like washes. We planted a few last year but I haven't seen any of these return. It is likely this is a progeny from the ones we planted. I get excited when I see these kinds of plants because they indicate that the area is recovering from its weedy, disturbed condition.
Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum)
Similarly, these seedling buckwheats (Eriogonum fasciculatum) show that locally native plants can return and thrive in the area.
Coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia)
And of course, the coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) in the center of the park is a joy to look at. The trash bag beneath it is filled with Russian thistle.
Poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobia)
And what can beat poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobia) for autumn color?
Every time I come to the park I see people jogging, walking dogs, riding horses and just strolling through the park. It is your park - enjoy it.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Park Clean-up: SUNDAY, October 4, 9 AM - noon
It turns out that the first weekend of October is the only time I will be available for a nature park cleanup. Anyone who wants to stick with the regular second Saturday of the month is welcome to come then --- or at any time. Since there is a change to the schedule I thought I'd give Sunday a try. I know that a lot of people have regular Saturday commitments. I have already heard that some new people will be coming. Looking forward to meeting you.
Barbara
PARK CLEAN UP: SUNDAY , October 4, 2009, 9 am - noon
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!
Barbara
PARK CLEAN UP: SUNDAY , October 4, 2009, 9 am - noon
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.
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!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Sept. 12 Cleanup Report
Equestrians enjoying a quiet ride in the park
The September cleanup was a quiet affair, but there was not much to do either. As Candy said, it was about as clean as the park has been. There were very few castor bean plants around. I am seeing an upsurge in the Russian thistle (Salsola tragus).
Russian thistle (Salsola tragus), probably already gone to seed.
According to UC Integrated Pest Management the best way to handle this plant is to mow or cut, not dig, out young plants before they set seed. Russian thistle needs loosened soil to germinate, so it is best not to disturb the soil. We will have another group of boy scouts coming in October and they will remove as much Russian thistle as they can. We will then learn to identify it right as it germinates and go after it like we did the castor bean. Good news about the weeds is that as the park matures and native plants get going, especially in the central area, the weeds become less of a problem.
Barberry (Berberis) looking great.
Blue dragonfly on oak tree near the channel.
Lots of acorns on the oaks. We should make like the squirrels and collect them and bury them in places we want to have oak trees.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Park Clean-up - September 12, 2009, 9 am - noon
Hi All,
It is time for the first clean-up since last spring, though we were fortunate to have some boy scout help in July (luckily it was a beautiful day, not like the weather we have been having). We will focus this month on trash, since the scouts did a good job of getting rid of most of the weeds. We will also discuss planting the bare spots (central area and the entrance area). Hope to see you there.
Barbara
PARK CLEAN UP: SATURDAY, September 12, 2009, 9 am - noon
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!
It is time for the first clean-up since last spring, though we were fortunate to have some boy scout help in July (luckily it was a beautiful day, not like the weather we have been having). We will focus this month on trash, since the scouts did a good job of getting rid of most of the weeds. We will also discuss planting the bare spots (central area and the entrance area). Hope to see you there.
Barbara
PARK CLEAN UP: SATURDAY, September 12, 2009, 9 am - noon
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.
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!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Scouts Descend on Weeds Like Locusts
Some of the scouts and parents who weeded and cleaned the park on Saturday with Eagle Scout candidate, Brendan Osborne (top row, 3rd from left), and City Councilman, Michael Cacciotti (top row, 2nd from left)
As noted in my last blog entry, the scouts have come to the rescue. Although things were looking real good last spring, during the summer I noticed that some of the weeds have made an amazing comeback. But they are not advancing unchallenged! Under the supervision of boy scout Brendan Osborne, a group of scouts and adults spent the morning in the nature park removing castor bean (Ricinus communis), tumbleweed (Salsola tragus), puncture weed (Tribulus terrestris) and tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima). To finish up the day, everyone took a quick spin through the park picking up trash.
Brendan points out castor bean and instructs volunteers on removing and bagging the flowers and seeds.
Scouts learn to identify poison oak before they begin weeding.
I can't imagine what I thought was so funny about the annoying plant I am holding in my bright red-gloved hands, but City Councilman, Michael Cacciotti, was amused by the puncture weed as well.
The weeds better run when confronted by smiling but deadly serious scout!
Weeds with seed heads are bagged and thrown away. Weeds without seeds are pulled and left to decompose.
Natural Resources Commissioner, David Beadle, explores along fence line of golf course with Michael Cacciotti
Michael Cacciotti ducks as golf ball flies through hole in netting along fence.
Can you picture the Arroyo Seco (view goes north towards Pasadena in this picture) flowing freely again with the concrete channel removed?
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Mid-Summer in the Nature Park
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| From 2009 0711 (SPNP) |
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| From 2009 0711 (SPNP) |
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| From 2009 0711 (SPNP) |
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| From 2009 0711 (SPNP) |
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| From 2009 0711 (SPNP) |
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| From 2009 0711 (SPNP) |
And more good news! The boy scouts are coming to the rescue. I have been talking with a couple of scouts and am hopeful they will be able to make a serious dent in the weeds and possibly with some of the signage. If you know of anyone else who would like to help out, please give them my email address (barbara.eisenstein@gmail.com).
And even more good news! The city has provided some funds for the purchase of new plants. We will be buying and planting them in November and December (the best time of year to plant natives). We will plant out from the central kiosk into the large, barren central part of park. By planting in a relatively contained area we will have an easier time keeping the weeds at bay and the new plants alive.
Next clean-up will be the September 12th (second Saturday of the month). I will send out an email a week and a half before the event, and another reminder a couple of days before it. If you want to be added or removed from the email list, please let me know.
See you in September!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Park Clean-up: June 13, 2009. 9 am - noon
Hi All,
Here we are again! I expect that this will be our last park clean up until September. I'd like to continue weeding and leveling the mulch in the mound in preparation for some planting next fall. Of course, we'll take a look around for trash as well.
Since I didn't post a report last month, thought I'd include a couple of pictures from the park. The Park Clean Up announcement is below.
Volunteers spreading out mound of mulch.
Poppies and alkali sacaton grass
Hope to see you there. (And hope it stays cool.)
Barbara
===================
PARK CLEAN UP: SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2009, 9 am - noon
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!
Here we are again! I expect that this will be our last park clean up until September. I'd like to continue weeding and leveling the mulch in the mound in preparation for some planting next fall. Of course, we'll take a look around for trash as well.
Since I didn't post a report last month, thought I'd include a couple of pictures from the park. The Park Clean Up announcement is below.
Volunteers spreading out mound of mulch.
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| From Native By Design |
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| From Native By Design |
Barbara
===================
PARK CLEAN UP: SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2009, 9 am - noon
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.
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!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Park Clean-up: May 9, 2009. 9 am - noon
Hi All,
Hard to believe it is that time again. Maybe to mix things up a bit we could start leveling the mulch in the mound in preparation for some planting next fall. Of course, we'll take a look around for weeds and trash as well.
Hope to see you there.
Barbara
===================
PARK CLEAN UP: SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2009, 9 am - noon
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!
Hard to believe it is that time again. Maybe to mix things up a bit we could start leveling the mulch in the mound in preparation for some planting next fall. Of course, we'll take a look around for weeds and trash as well.
Hope to see you there.
Barbara
===================
PARK CLEAN UP: SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2009, 9 am - noon
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.
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!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
April 11, 2009 Clean-up: Enemy No. 1
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| From Native By Design |
On another beautiful day at the Nature Park, our efforts went to removing a lot of garbage (some rather interesting in nature) and finding and removing the above seedlings: castor bean (Ricinus communis)- enemy no. 1.
For the last few months, we focused our attention on the milk thistle, but there were few of these in evidence this time. Now the castor bean is sprouting. If you go to the park feel free to remove any of these that you find. Here's a picture of one still standing. Notice the large oval first leaves (cotyledons) and the palmate true leaf. It is often reddish in color.
Castor bean seedling
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| From Native By Design |
Be very careful to avoid poison oak. This is an important native plant that has good habitat value: it provides cover and food for many animals.
Beware - Poison oak
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| From Native By Design |
Poison oak
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| From Native By Design |
The park is doing well as the following pictures attest.
Park Entrance on Pasadena Ave. (Bush sunflower, black sage and poppies in bloom)
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| From Native By Design |
Baby blue eyes
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| From Native By Design |
Info sign on Pasadena Ave.
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| From Native By Design |
Mexican elderberry
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| From Native By Design |
Sugar bush
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| From Native By Design |
Native plant, everlasting, sprouting on its own
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| From Native By Design |
Deer grass, black willow and coyote bush
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| From Native By Design |
But not all is perfect. The following picture is taken of the main central part of the park. It was supposed to be a grassland but became overcome with weeds during the first winter and spring of its existence. The city then added mulch to smother the weeds. We need to direct our attention to this area. I am hoping to level the area this year in preparation for planting in the winter. Since birds need high, medium and low cover - and we already have nice medium and high vegetation - we should consider using low-growing scrub plants. Buckwheat, black sage, deer weed, monkey flower, bush sunflower are all good candidates that are native to the Arroyo Seco. A generous sprinkling of wildflower seeds would be just the thing!
Does anyone else have thoughts on this?
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| From Native By Design |
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Park Clean-up: April 11, 2009. 9 am - noon
I realize I have not but updating this blog much but will try to get something up after this weekend's clean-up. I also realize that many of you will be busy with Easter/Passover family activities. If you get a chance to stop by, please do. I'm not sure I will be there for the whole time, but I will try to arrive by 9 am.
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.
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.
For more information email me at: barbara.eisenstein@gmail.com.
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.
For more information email me at: barbara.eisenstein@gmail.com.
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