Wetlands Recovery Project

(2017-2019)

Wetlands Recovery Project

Sespe Cienaga Habitat Restoration Project

Student Planting Sedges
A student from Briggs School planting sedges in the perennial wetland.

Friends of the Santa Clara River contracted SCRC to restore 7 – 8 acres of riparian habitat outside of the entrance of the Fillmore Fish Hatchery, which is owned by California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Project elements included: controlling non-native plants, revegetation with native riparian plants, community engagement, creating an interpretive trail, and biological monitoring.

SCRC  worked with students from Briggs School in Santa Paula, Girl Scout Troop 60532, and  hosted several volunteer events.

Volunteers planting
Volunteers working together to install native plants.
Student watering plants
A student from Briggs School waters the young plants.
Nature Trail beginnings
The beginning stages of the nature trail and garden built by volunteers and students
Nature trail after a year
A year later, the garden is filling in and the native plants are thriving.
Girl Scout Troop
Girls Scouts from Troop 60532 constructed a kiosk for the interpretive garden.
Volunteers removing invasive weeds
Volunteers removing invasive weeds.
Volunteers installing a native plant
Volunteers installing a native plant.

The interpretive garden is open to the public. California native plants line the trail and give visitors a chance to observe their beauty up-close. Brochures are available at the kiosk, both in English and Spanish, so that visitors can learn about the native plants as they stroll through the garden.