Earth Systems Science, Inc.

Habit Stewards Volunteer at Native Plant Walk Area

Jan 17, 2005

Garry George, a National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Host & Steward, led the effort to re-plant the Native Plant Walk in Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area (KHSRA). On the morning of 17 Jan 2005, he was joined by other NWF Habitat Steward volunteers (Greg and Saifon Lee, Clifford Neuman, Lili Wei, Huihui Yuan), and PCC students Jaime and Katie Aquilera, and other community volunteers. The Habitat Stewards were from the Fall 2004 training workshop. Part of their training took place in this same site.

Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area is located in the Baldwin Hills---which also contain a number of working oil fields. Oil operations severely impacted the native coastal sage plant community. Increasing environmental awareness and water conservation education are important aspects of the Native Plant Walk. The use of native plants attracts and supports local birds and helps educate the general public about native coastal sage community plants. Using native plants in your yard is one very easy way to help protect the park.

Over the past year, the area had been the site of numerous weed pulls to prepare for today?’s planting. Several eucalyptus trees were removed. They are not native to California and were introduced as a fast growing source of wood. Unfortunately, eucalyptus wood is not suitable for construction lumber, and the many groves started did not pan out as a lumber source for the booming times in California.

Recent rains and cooler temperatures favor the planting of native species. It can take upwards of 3 years for these types of planting efforts to take hold. If the plants survive past the 3rd year, the project would be considered a biological success.

So, if you are ever in the area, you are invited to stop by Kenneth Hahn SRA and stroll through the Native Plant Walk. Admittedly it doesn?’t look too impressive now. But stop by every now and then to see the growth and progress.

Post Scripts:
1. A paid Internship position is available to work with Garry George on this project. For additional information and an application e-mail him at garrygeorge@pacbell.net

2. Volunteers are needed to monitor the plants and to conduct wildlife inventory work to document the Native Plant Walk area habitat. Contact Garry if you are interested in these unpaid volunteer positions.