Quick Restoration Update

Last week (January 9),  at the Arjons vernal pool site, we pulled up Cistus, a non-native escapee from gardens.  Aside from these rapidly disappearing invasive plants, all workers agreed that the site is amazing.  Fairy shrimp have appeared in the pools.  Plants of the chaparral, many of which are not commonly seen in urbanized San Diego, abound in the surrounding slightly higher and drier ground. 

We also collected and sowed a goodly amount of native seed at Lusardi Creek.  The rainfall is above average for the season and has replenished soil moisture needed for germination after years of dryness.  As a consequence we expect the area we have restored will expand considerably in extent.  Also last week we saw a white tailed kite, an apex predator bird, for the first time.  This is a sign of improving ecological vigor in an area that was once heavily degraded.

—Bob Byrnes