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Revegetation Projects


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.

 

The Hartsook Creek Project
     

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.

  Hartsook Creek Re-Vegetation
   
 
A young volunteer plants a Pacific Dogwood on the banks of Hartsook Creek.
   

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.

Hedi and Andy Tree planting at Hartsook Creek

    
 

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.

   
     

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.