Santa Clara River Artesian Site Habitat Restoration Project

2024 - 2028

Santa Clara River Artesian Site Habitat Restoration Project

Project Description

Wetland pond with reeds along the Santa Clara River and mountains under a cloudy sky

Project Goals

Our Santa Clara RIver Artesian Site Habitat Restoration Project in Santa Paula aims to restore 10.2 acres of wetland habitat along the Santa Clara River. This area impacts up to 20 miles of river downstream. The site was overtaken by invasive species such as giant reed, castor bean, tree tobacco, and salt cedar, which SCRC staff is actively removing and revegetating with native California plant species. This project will benefit local ecosystems in and along the river by promoting species diversity and enhancing water quality.

This project is following a planting plan that divides the site into five specific habitat types based on soil moisture, including riparian scrub with woodland component, seasonal wetland, a sage scrub buffer boundary, full riparian scrub, and wet meadow.

Aerial view of farmland and riparian habitat at the Santa Clara River Artesian Site Habitat Restoration Project

The Nature Conservancy

This project property is owned by The Nature Conservancy, and is managed by Bonneville Environmental Foundation. The project also receives funding from Procter & Gamble. The project began in 2024 and is set to be completed in 2028.