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Revegetation
Projects
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Riparian corridors are a critical component of stream ecology
and provide an important buffer zone between upland areas
and aquatic environments. Riparian vegetation reduces water
pollution by filtering runoff from upslope areas and helps
stabilize streams by anchoring soils, intercepting sediment,
and attenuating floods. Salmon depend on riparian vegetation
to moderate water temperatures during the hot summer months
and to provide in-stream cover in the form of large woody
debris.
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The
Hartsook Creek Project |
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In January 2005, ERWIG partnered
with Save the Redwoods League in hosting a volunteer tree
planting at Hartsook Creek. The 33-acre Hartsook property
lies adjacent to Richardson Grove State Park. It was purchased
by Save the Redwoods League in 1998 to protect old growth
redwood trees from a possible timber harvest.
In recent years,
the banks of Hartsook Creek had become choked with French
Broom, an invasive weed that had out competed native flora,
and created a monoculture. The most aggressive invasive plants
are disastrous to natural areas because they exclude native
plants, reduce biological diversity, destroy habitat, alter
fire frequencies, and threaten endangered species.
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A
young volunteer plants a Pacific Dogwood on the banks of Hartsook
Creek. |
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California
Conservation Crews from Fortuna spent 5 days removing the
10,000 square foot infestation of French Broom, and preparing
the site for new trees. |
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A
few days later on a beautiful Saturday morning, over 40 enthusiastic
volunteers arrived to help with the planting of 500 native
Redwoods, Pacific Dogwoods, and Red Alders.
The trees will help to stabilize the banks and prevent erosion.
Over time, they will provide invaluable riparian habitat.
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Mature
trees will increase the creek’s canopy cover, cooling
the water temperature during the hot summer months. As
they age and eventually die, some will fall into the stream
adding much needed woody debris, which will help create a
healthier, more complex stream and provide habitat for juvenile
and spawning steelhead.
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To
contact us:
Phone:
707-725-4317
Fax:
707-725-1086
Email:
info@ERWIG.org
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ERWIG's
work and publications are made possible by funding from
the CA Department of Fish and Game SB 271 Fisheries Restoration
Grant.
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