2020 - ongoing
North Shiells Property
Invasive Plant Removal and Wetland Restoration Neighboring the Sespe Cienaga
Introduction
The Santa Clara River Conservancy is conducting non-native invasive plant removal and associated biological surveys on a 25-acre portion of The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) north Shiells Property, neighboring the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Sespe Cienaga project site.
The work is consistent with The Nature Conservancy’s objectives for riparian habitat restoration and conservation property management. SCRC was awarded contract funding through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to partially fund the project, and TNC is providing cost sharing for expenses not covered by the NRCS award.
SCRC performed initial mapping and assessment of target invasive species within the project area, with the goal of controlling at least 5 species: giant reed (Arundo donax), perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium), castor bean (Ricinus communis), tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca), and salt cedar (Tamarix sp).
Looking Forward
A multi-year treatment plan including maps and schedules was developed by SCRC for TNC and NRCS, and progress will be assessed using repeated UAV imagery. TNC is providing access to the project site through legal easements or by permission from neighboring landowners.