SPRING UNDER THE EUCALYPTUS (2 years in)
San Bruno Test Plot
By Jen Toy
Test Plot
DATE: March 31 2025
San Bruno Test Plot
By Jen Toy
Test Plot
DATE: March 31 2025
TIME: noon-1pm
TEMP: 53 degrees
︎WEATHER: Sunny
WIND (SPEED/DIRECTION): not noticeable
SOIL MOISTURE: Damp with lots of insects under the eucalyptus debirs
︎PLANTS SIGHTINGS: I didn’t have a lot of time so I just did a visual survey of the most noticeable plants. I did not go hunting under the rooreh and weeds to search for small plants.
︎WEED SIGHTINGS: The weeds have been left to grow since the December workday.
WILDFLIFE SIGHTINGS: When you pull out weeds, you’ll see a scattering of insects that are thriving in the leaf litter. I didn’t have time to ID.
︎HUMAN ACTIVITY: As usual, there were many walkers out on the path.
The plot is now two years old. It was first planted in March 2023. For the first year, we hosted nearly monthly workdays (11), weeding the oxalis, rattlesnake grass, ivies and himalayan blackberry. As a reminder we have never provided supplemental irrigation. The plants subsist simply on rain and the fog drip. For the second year, we have intentionally done very little management. I’ve been interested to see which plants thrive and can hold their own despite the constant raining down of leaves, bark and branches and allelopathy. Considering these conditions, I think the test should evolve to document the species that can take up space and thrive. I’ve also been thinking about how to measure this? I think our metric is percent coverage. I was initially thinking of this as biomass, but I recently learned that biomass is usually measured by weight. So I’m calling it percent coverage. Basically we’re looking for the weedy natives that aren’t fussy or delicate and will take over and self seed with very little work.
︎A note on documentation: This is the first time I’ve been able to photograph the plot since I bought a drone. The low canopy of eucalyptus directly above makes it impossible to get an orthographic view of the entire plot. I was able to capture a few oblique angles.
SCRUB MX: One year ago I ID’d 15 species and found the dominant species included beach strawberry, CA fuschia, and miner's lettuce (rooreh). I estimated that 60% of the plot was composed of these 3 species. On this visit I noticed that the rooreh is completely dominant. The buckwheat and sagebrush is poking through the rooreh and monkeyflower is hanging on in the back. The self-sown red elderberry is doing great.
PRAIRIE GRASSLAND: Last year I noticed 12 species, including clear winners CA phacelia, hummingbird sage, and woodland strawberry. This plot is also dominated by the rooreh, though hummingbird sage and phacelia are still thriving.
OAK WOODLAND: Last year, I documented 19 species, including Symphoricarpos sp., Pink honeysuckle, buckeye, pearly everlasting and mugwort, woodland strawberry, sticky cinquefoil, and heucheras. This visit I noticed the cow parsnip has remerged, and the snowberry, honeysuckle, buckeye, pearly everlasting and mugwort and strawberry are still present. The cinquefoil and heucheras may be buried under the rooreh and weeds.
SEEP/FRESHWATER MARSH: Last year there were 16 species and the clear winner was Bee plant. This is still true, though the dogwood, fringecups goldenrod and rush are still thriving.
WEEDS: The oxalis is largely gone (more present in the oak woodland and scrub plots). No cape or english ivy and very little himalayan blackberry. Pretty impressive for only 2 seasons of hand weeding. These species are still hugely dominant outside the plot fence. Other species that I noticed include bur chevril, common sow thistle, hordeum, cut leaf geranium, sheep sorrel and galium.
POST-JANUARY LA FIRES CHECK IN
Burn Scar Test Plot
By Hannah Pae
Terremoto
DATE: February 27, 2025
Burn Scar Test Plot
By Hannah Pae
Terremoto
DATE: February 27, 2025
It’s been about two months since the wildfires started in Los Angeles at the start of the year, and life before the fires seems like a distant past that we will never be able to go back to. Amidst the immediate fear, destabilization, and heart-wrenching grief over our city and our collective unknown future, I’ve experienced glimmers of hope while observing the resilience of the native flora and fauna during the times I’ve come back to Burn Scar post- LA fires to check in on how everything has been holding up after the extreme, drying Santa Ana winds, the LA fires, and late winter rain storms the past couple of weeks.
Soon after the brush fire in Elysian Park in fall 2023 that burned through the Burn Scar Test Plot, we noticed toyon sprouting back from charred stumps. A year and four months later today, the toyon sprouting back from the base of a charred branching arch has grown to be almost 5’ tall, with toyon seedlings coming up nearby – a true testament to the resilient nature of our fire adapted ecology.
Charred logs that we’d sawed and laid on the ground have inadvertently taken on the critical role of nurse logs for wildflower seedlings from last year’s seed bank – baby lupine, clarkia, and lacy phacelia – that are taking advantage of the sheltered microclimate created by the logs. A few months before the LA fires, we’d also spread native seeds we’d collected from nearby intact chaparral ecosystems in Elysian Park, and I expect we’ll finally see these seedlings pop up in the next few weeks, now that we’ve finally had a couple long-awaited, bittersweet, winter storm events in LA post-fire.
We’ve had to postpone our volunteer work day in January because of the LA fires, but we are looking forward to having our first volunteer work day of the year in a few weeks – Fri, March 14th – and working in community to care for this land together.
STARR KING TEST PLOT PHASE 2 BEGINS
Starr King Test Plot, San Francisco
By Elena Fox
Terremoto
DATE: Nov 21 2024
Starr King Test Plot, San Francisco
By Elena Fox
Terremoto
DATE: Nov 21 2024
After a brief break from our first year of observation at Starr King Test Plot, we are back on site to begin Phase 2 as the wet season comes upon us. We have developed a restoration plan that will move us from observation to operation with limited resources. Our high level plan is to start a regular weeding + maintenance schedule internally as a company before engaging the community in volunteering.
Our maintenance approach is based on the Bradley Method, where we will chose two work zones (the plots) based on where native plants are currently observed. We will concentrate our efforts in these two zones and organize our work in concentric bands of intensity. In the center of each zone, we will continue with hand weeding around natives. In an outer band we will do a non-targeted a cutback of all plant material a few times over the course of the wet season. The logic is that through cutbacks we prevent annuals from going to seed- after 3 years the seed bank of annual weeds is exhausted.
During Phase 1 (Observation), we collected native seeds to contract grow. These plugs will be planted now and into this winter, with the goal to only plant what originally came from the site.
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The goals and methods of Phase 2 are as such:
1. We only (re)introduce/use materials and plants from the site, or from the adjacent open space on serpentine outcrops.
2. We test variable weeding strategies using the Bradley Method:
3. We pay attention to time and use it as a tool - by continuing to observe + weed regularly, we can start to understand how much time is required of us, and how the site is evolving based on our new inputs and labor. We focus on maintaining our slow and measured approach
4. We involve the greater community in volunteer days + observation sessions (once we get grounded in the space ourselves)
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Our maintenance approach is based on the Bradley Method, where we will chose two work zones (the plots) based on where native plants are currently observed. We will concentrate our efforts in these two zones and organize our work in concentric bands of intensity. In the center of each zone, we will continue with hand weeding around natives. In an outer band we will do a non-targeted a cutback of all plant material a few times over the course of the wet season. The logic is that through cutbacks we prevent annuals from going to seed- after 3 years the seed bank of annual weeds is exhausted.
During Phase 1 (Observation), we collected native seeds to contract grow. These plugs will be planted now and into this winter, with the goal to only plant what originally came from the site.
The goals and methods of Phase 2 are as such:
1. We only (re)introduce/use materials and plants from the site, or from the adjacent open space on serpentine outcrops.
2. We test variable weeding strategies using the Bradley Method:
3. We pay attention to time and use it as a tool - by continuing to observe + weed regularly, we can start to understand how much time is required of us, and how the site is evolving based on our new inputs and labor. We focus on maintaining our slow and measured approach
4. We involve the greater community in volunteer days + observation sessions (once we get grounded in the space ourselves)
RAINBOW CANYON KICK-OFF
Rainbow Canyon Test Plot (Mt. Washington neighborhood)
By Tatianna Velicer
USC Student
DATE: Oct 24 2024
Rainbow Canyon Test Plot (Mt. Washington neighborhood)
By Tatianna Velicer
USC Student
DATE: Oct 24 2024
Rainbow Canyon has a homey community feel with beautiful sheltering trees, a riparian area, a scenic viewpoint of the city, and switchback trails. It is a peaceful oasis surrounded by the sounds of lawn work, neighbors out and about, barking dogs, birds chirping, and coyote howls. There is a characteristic rotting pumpkin, a chair with a tire perched on top of it, and lots of forgotten tidbits of plastic and metal.
On our site preparation day on October 26th, we divided and conquered tasks to prepare the area for planting. Volunteers conducted weeding, invasive species removal, trash removal, site maintenance, and debated design options for the new Test Plot. The switchback area was altered to have a longer entrance, a less steep gradient, and logs were added for trail identification. Castor bean and tree-of-heaven were removed. The trash cleanup group found all sorts of treasurers from lego figurines to seemingly ancient cans and bottles. A majority of the cleanup work focused on picking out tiny bits of plastic, glass, and styrofoam scattered in the soils.
We asked each volunteer to place a flag at their favorite place in the Canyon. I retrieved these flags from every corner of the Canyon but many were placed along the riparian area and central gathering spaces. We received feedback with exciting ideas for transforming the space, such as the addition of benches, a bridge, an art installation, a space for classes and events, and educational signage. Volunteers gathered to review potential designs and then had the opportunity to show us with rope where they would add a plot to the space. We received sketches with a Yin and Yang plot formation and a few designs with large central ovular plots.
The most heartwarming aspect of the day was the Mount Washington Community members and all the volunteers who showed up with a smile to help us with these preparation activities. With our volunteers, we were able to not only envision the future of Rainbow Canyon, but hear stories from its past. Rainbow Canyon has a rich history of community advocacy that led to its preservation. It has proven to be a space worth protecting and loving. We even learned that Rainbow Canyon was the venue of a wedding for a local resident. We hope to honor the combined natural and human history of the Canyon with our Test Plot, coming on December 8th, 2024.
On our site preparation day on October 26th, we divided and conquered tasks to prepare the area for planting. Volunteers conducted weeding, invasive species removal, trash removal, site maintenance, and debated design options for the new Test Plot. The switchback area was altered to have a longer entrance, a less steep gradient, and logs were added for trail identification. Castor bean and tree-of-heaven were removed. The trash cleanup group found all sorts of treasurers from lego figurines to seemingly ancient cans and bottles. A majority of the cleanup work focused on picking out tiny bits of plastic, glass, and styrofoam scattered in the soils.
We asked each volunteer to place a flag at their favorite place in the Canyon. I retrieved these flags from every corner of the Canyon but many were placed along the riparian area and central gathering spaces. We received feedback with exciting ideas for transforming the space, such as the addition of benches, a bridge, an art installation, a space for classes and events, and educational signage. Volunteers gathered to review potential designs and then had the opportunity to show us with rope where they would add a plot to the space. We received sketches with a Yin and Yang plot formation and a few designs with large central ovular plots.
The most heartwarming aspect of the day was the Mount Washington Community members and all the volunteers who showed up with a smile to help us with these preparation activities. With our volunteers, we were able to not only envision the future of Rainbow Canyon, but hear stories from its past. Rainbow Canyon has a rich history of community advocacy that led to its preservation. It has proven to be a space worth protecting and loving. We even learned that Rainbow Canyon was the venue of a wedding for a local resident. We hope to honor the combined natural and human history of the Canyon with our Test Plot, coming on December 8th, 2024.
GREEN RAVINE @ CATALINA TURNS 1!
Catalina Island Test Plot
By Alex Robinson
USC Professor
DATE: Oct 22 2024
SOIL MOISTURE: Dry
︎ PLANT SIGHTINGS:
Out of the 174 plants planted one year ago (Nov 2023), about 30 have perished according to Lauren Czarnecki, the Test Plot lead steward of Catalina. Reasons include lack of water (see notes on irrigation system below), browsing by ground squirrels (esp loved wooly sunflower and don’t like golden yarrow) and transplant shock. Endemic species include Wallace’s nightshade, Catalina ironwood (not Santa Cruz which is more popular on the mainland), Mountain mahogany, Island Ceanothus, and the Catalina Island Manzanita. They are all surviving!
WEED SIGHTINGS:
We were lucky to be joined by a team from the Catalina Conservancy Invasive Plant Management team joined our group. Aaron Kreisberg, Plant Conservation Manager, walked the ravine and identified the major weeds, which were all located on the western edge of the plot.
They included:
He also suggested this amazing resource WEEDRIC (Research & Information Center) by UC Davis which lists invasive species A-Z and offers management strategies. He says he uses it every day!
︎WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS: None in the immediate plot area except a wicked spider web.
HUMAN ACTIVITY: Our team consisted of USC students from Alex’s class, Tawny de Guzman from Community Nature Connection plus 2 colleagues, Julio Soria from LA Nature for All, and Scott Applebaum from the ENST program. We weeded the ravine, planted 30 new plants, and gave the existing and new plants a deep water.
“ My favorite part of the day was when we got to dig holes for some replacement plants in the ravine. Some areas were very easy to dig down into whereas others were quite rocky and dry, so it was great to see our group really begin to cooperate more and work together on the harder spots. I also enjoyed locating a Dudleya that was hiding underneath some Encelia californica, and pruned back the shrub to provide more sunlight. “ - Mark Reid, USC Student
GENERAL NOTES: It was a beautiful day, with multiple dolphin and gray whale sightings on the boat ride there and back. Lauren has been an amazing steward over the last year, but watering is challenging and time consuming. She has been underwatering the plants (twice in the fall and spring and 3-4 times over the summer). The IBC tote (250 gallons of collected rainwater) was placed upstream and gravity feeds into 4 drip irrigation lines, with 1 emitter covering each plant (at least most plants). However it turns out the head pressure is only great enough to run one line (the top one) so the plants towards the bottom of the swale did not receive as much water. It takes several hours to drain one tote, and requires machinery to replace the totes. It is also tricky to find time to water during the cooler times of day. She learned a trick to spray the water to create more humidity, which helps against the dry Santa Annas.
SOIL: Scott Applebaum’s class spent time over the summer, and conducted more soil tests to compare with those taken in September 2023 (see LOG POST HERE). They found that the soil cores are shifting away from clay to include more silt.
COIR MATS: This is the first time we tried coir mats, and they are all still holding their form and intact. Lauren’s thoughts are that they have helped with water retention in the dry months. She noticed that if they were not staked down very well, they would rip and pull the plants away during winter when the ravine had active water flow.
TIMELAPSE: The Chronolog has been up and running since July. It’s a community science app that takes photos that people can upload and creates a timelapse video.
SUMMARY: Lauren reminded us the goal is 3 S’s : slow the water, spread it, and sink it. The rock check dams are working, and she observed standing water in July, which allows for species like the Baja Choir Frog to visit through June.
Catalina Island Test Plot
By Alex Robinson
USC Professor
DATE: Oct 22 2024
TIME: 10AM-2PM
TEMP: 73 F
︎
WEATHER: Sunny, Blue Skies, Warm
WIND (SPEED/DIRECTION): Not notIceableSOIL MOISTURE: Dry
︎ PLANT SIGHTINGS:
Out of the 174 plants planted one year ago (Nov 2023), about 30 have perished according to Lauren Czarnecki, the Test Plot lead steward of Catalina. Reasons include lack of water (see notes on irrigation system below), browsing by ground squirrels (esp loved wooly sunflower and don’t like golden yarrow) and transplant shock. Endemic species include Wallace’s nightshade, Catalina ironwood (not Santa Cruz which is more popular on the mainland), Mountain mahogany, Island Ceanothus, and the Catalina Island Manzanita. They are all surviving!
WEED SIGHTINGS:
We were lucky to be joined by a team from the Catalina Conservancy Invasive Plant Management team joined our group. Aaron Kreisberg, Plant Conservation Manager, walked the ravine and identified the major weeds, which were all located on the western edge of the plot.
They included:
| Atriplex semibaccata | Australian saltbush |
| Brachypodium sylvaticum | False brome |
| Brassica nigra | Black mustard |
| Bromus diandrus | Ripgut brome |
| Bromus hordeaceus | Soft brome |
| Centaurea melitensis | Maltese star thistle |
| Cynodon dactylon | Bermuda grass |
| Erigeron canadensis | Horseweed |
| Foeniculum vulgare | Fennel |
| Rumex crispus | Curly Dock |
| Salsola australis | Russian thistle |
| Salsola tragus | Russian tumbleweed |
| Stipa miliacea | Smilograss |
He also suggested this amazing resource WEEDRIC (Research & Information Center) by UC Davis which lists invasive species A-Z and offers management strategies. He says he uses it every day!
︎WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS: None in the immediate plot area except a wicked spider web.
HUMAN ACTIVITY: Our team consisted of USC students from Alex’s class, Tawny de Guzman from Community Nature Connection plus 2 colleagues, Julio Soria from LA Nature for All, and Scott Applebaum from the ENST program. We weeded the ravine, planted 30 new plants, and gave the existing and new plants a deep water.
“ My favorite part of the day was when we got to dig holes for some replacement plants in the ravine. Some areas were very easy to dig down into whereas others were quite rocky and dry, so it was great to see our group really begin to cooperate more and work together on the harder spots. I also enjoyed locating a Dudleya that was hiding underneath some Encelia californica, and pruned back the shrub to provide more sunlight. “ - Mark Reid, USC Student
GENERAL NOTES: It was a beautiful day, with multiple dolphin and gray whale sightings on the boat ride there and back. Lauren has been an amazing steward over the last year, but watering is challenging and time consuming. She has been underwatering the plants (twice in the fall and spring and 3-4 times over the summer). The IBC tote (250 gallons of collected rainwater) was placed upstream and gravity feeds into 4 drip irrigation lines, with 1 emitter covering each plant (at least most plants). However it turns out the head pressure is only great enough to run one line (the top one) so the plants towards the bottom of the swale did not receive as much water. It takes several hours to drain one tote, and requires machinery to replace the totes. It is also tricky to find time to water during the cooler times of day. She learned a trick to spray the water to create more humidity, which helps against the dry Santa Annas.
SOIL: Scott Applebaum’s class spent time over the summer, and conducted more soil tests to compare with those taken in September 2023 (see LOG POST HERE). They found that the soil cores are shifting away from clay to include more silt.
COIR MATS: This is the first time we tried coir mats, and they are all still holding their form and intact. Lauren’s thoughts are that they have helped with water retention in the dry months. She noticed that if they were not staked down very well, they would rip and pull the plants away during winter when the ravine had active water flow.
TIMELAPSE: The Chronolog has been up and running since July. It’s a community science app that takes photos that people can upload and creates a timelapse video.
SUMMARY: Lauren reminded us the goal is 3 S’s : slow the water, spread it, and sink it. The rock check dams are working, and she observed standing water in July, which allows for species like the Baja Choir Frog to visit through June.
