GETTING STARTED, SIMI VALLEY TEST PLOT
By Isaac Trejo
Simi Valley Test Plot Lead
DATE: March 08, 2026
TEMP/WEATHER: beautifully sunny, a bit windy
IG @testplot_simi
Maintenance journal
The Simi Valley Test Plot lies at the base of the foothills between Rocky Peak and Chumash Park. Started by local residents concerned about the fire resiliency of their surroundings, the plot collaborates with MRCA and the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District to address the current, invasive and highly flammable fuel-type and investigate the performance of locally adapted, slower to burn native species.
The project is situated at the intersection of a rich scrub of predominantly Bush Sunflower, California Sagebrush, and Chamise and a primarily invasive grassland featuring mustard, oat, and brome dotted with a mix of native wildflowers such as Blue Dicks, Lupine, Fiddleneck, and Tarweed. The plot mimics the native vegetation found in the surrounding area by creating a combination of scrub and grassland increasing the biodiversity, beauty, and resiliency of the landscape.
VOLUNTEERS: A great turnout of volunteers from both LA and Simi, the donuts were a big hit.
PLOT + CONTROL PLOT: The goal was to plant and water about 87.5 plants in Plot 1. We planted 85! And would not try to plant a whole lot more in Plot 1. We had such a great turnout some volunteers were able to completely establish the Control Plot. I noticed two plots create quite the visual impact and show how much progress made together with just a little bit of time (and calories, as one said).
Fences were built, water was administered.
PLANTS: Some of the perennial shrubs to be planted looked a little sad, largely due to the wind. Pretty amazing how quickly they dry out in their little pots.
Overall we planted ~85 plants and 11 different species in our little 20’-wide blob, with about half of them being purple needle grass, the historic vegetation series found on the site. The purple needle grass was planted in groups of 5-6 somewhat per Bert Wilson’s recommendation and infilled with some of the scrub species that mirror the hills nearby, a way of hedging our bets. I personally have a lot of faith that there is a wealth of native species waiting to pop up, whether by seed or bulb (or maybe even scat).
WEEDS: The Control Plot is another 20’-wide blob that has been weeded and nothing else. As opposed to the “pull-and-drop” approach of weed management on Plot 1 (where annual weeds were pulled and dropped to create a thatchy mulch), this Control Plot will have none. The Control Plot will also not be watered (though my over zealous self gave it a spray down, I will show restraint in the future). Again, my intuition says that there will be lots of natives popping up in this one as well.
Weed management will be tricky but key, in establishing our hybrid little grassland. I am thankful that the weeds on site are easily pullable (largely mustard, oat, and brome) and nothing tedious like oxalis or nutgrass. Work for the majority of the year will just be to weed.
WILDLIFE: While the site has LOTS of wildlife, being located right on the WUI Interface (residents regularly see coyotes, quail, hummingbirds, owls, deer, and even mountain lions) there was not much to be seen this morning. One volunteer reported seeing a tiny mouse run for cover while weeding the Control Plot, so insofar we are at a net loss for wildlife habitat :/
STEWARDSHIP: We are still looking for local and long-term stewards aside from myself. The site receives lots of foot traffic and loads of recreation and is in and of itself great promotion.
TO DO: Lots to do. I want there to be a large focus on how the project faces the public, providing appropriate signage and communication about the project to anyone who walks by. The site gets so much attention from everyone who passes by it, I never realized how popular the park and trails around here were.
While there is not much more planting to be done (aside from replacing any losses) I would like to have programs that engage people with the site, a plant walk comes to mind but am open to ideas!
