Restoration Update Week of January 16

We continued sowing native seed at Lusardi Creek.  We began one of usual springtime activities, that is, removing Black mustard (Brassica nigra).  We had to wear rubber boots or hip waders to get through serious mud and high water.

One of the largest catch basins at Lusardi Creek contains more water than it has ever contained.  While this undoubtedly reduced downstream scouring of creek banks, it will undoubtedly cause severe dieoff of the natives that have been growing in the basin during recent dry years.  On the other hand, we expect the invasive Salt bush (Atriplex semibaccata) sharing the the basin floor may also die.  We’ll survey in the summer after the water evaporates.

Bob Byrnes

Co-chair

Habitat Restoration Committee

CNPS-San Diego