Our morning walk takes us past the local wilderness park. The county is slowly restoring the native Coastal Sage Scrub plant community there by removing non-native species of trees and smaller plants.
Eriogonum and Opuntia littoralis in the foreground. A mix of Eriogonum, Artemisia, and other plants beyond the fence. A lone dark green Malosma laurina background right, beyond are riparian trees--cottonwoods, mostly, with some weeds (trash palms)
A line of non-native Eucalyptus on the ridge. These have been dying off due to lack of water and multiple insect infestations.
A friend has been growing native Oak trees for the County, to plant in the park, aiding the restoration effort. The north end burned to the ground in the Canyon II fire in October, 2017, leaving a blackened moonscape of rock.
The fire wasn't 100% bad: it burned out many non-native, invasive, highly flammable Palms, Acacias, and Eucalyptus.
Post Canyon II fire, late 2017:
Old blog posts record we've had a fire nearby in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2020. I've probably missed some, too. 
Happy Autumn, HB! The scenery is impressive. I hope you'll have more opportunities for walks there in the coming months. I've been thinking I should try some of the local parks here again too. There was a native plant restoration project going at the nearest one, within easy walking distance, but I haven't been there since 2019.
ReplyDeleteOne nice thing about being owned by dogs is that they make you take walks, whether you want to or not.
DeleteHope you get back to see how that restoration project is going--good blog post subject!
Amen!
ReplyDelete:^) Oh, yes!
DeleteUgh, that's WAY too many fires for comfort... How wonderful that your friend will provide oak trees for the restoration - that's great! Love all your morning-misty photos - the light perfectly backlights all those fabulous opuntias and seed heads. It looked like a gorgeous morning for a walk!
ReplyDeleteNot enough oaks there. I remember walking the part one time and seeing one oak total. It's lovely they are planting some--some of the trail stretches get very very hot. Shade will help.
DeleteAutumn is a lovely season. As good as Spring, and waaaaaaaaaaaaay better than summer.
Yes, glorious lovely Fall. It's my favourite time of year but unfortunately too short in my area. Nice to see the native flora being returned to the park. One of the downsides to Covid is soooo many people rediscovering their local parks. I liked it when they were mostly empty.
ReplyDeleteFall and Spring are always too short, aren't they?
DeleteJust like parks, the whole planet was better off before there were so many humans.
Restoration efforts of native Coastal plant is music to my ears. I've watch an inspiring series on PBS about re wilding Europe, undoing human damage. It is surprising and encouraging to see how quickly nature responds to a little bit of help. Bravo to the native Oak growing friend!
ReplyDeleteI watched an episode of that--it was really good.
DeleteI recall stories about the Chernobyl area which is blocked off because of the radiation contamination, and wildlife populations skyrocketing there, because no humans can get in to hunt or disturb them.
"Summer, that season of misery and forced idleness, is over."
ReplyDeleteSo well put! I couldn't agree more. Summer is my least favorite season, period.
It snuck back to plague us some more. 90F since last Thursday. Grrrrrrr!
Delete