Creating

Opportunity

In collaboration with OC Parks, this project features the planting of 200 coastal live oak trees at Santiago Oaks Regional Park. The trees were initially planted in January 2011, to compensate for riparian oak impacts from the Olinda Alpha Landfill expansion project. Despite setbacks from two wildfires, the oak trees have been steadily growing and 90 trees are expected to be taken off supplemental watering in 2024, marking a significant milestone in their growth and sustainability.

Trabuco Creek is undergoing phased restoration efforts in partnership with OC Waste & Recycling compost facilities and the Irvine Ranch Conservancy (IRC). Compost from our greeneries was utilized to support the establishment of wetland plants, marking a crucial step in enhancing the ecosystem. In the wetland area, approximately 820 groundcover plants were carefully installed during November and December, setting the foundation for further growth.

IRC focuses on removing Arundo within the riparian zone, to prepare the site for future planting and seeding activities. This process is being carried out in phases, reflecting the expansive nature of the restoration area. In the initial phase, conducted between November and December 2023, approximately 2,420 plants spanning nine species were successfully introduced.

This project established ephemeral drainages to fulfill Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) permit requirements. Since its installation, regular maintenance activities ensure the upkeep of the area, including the removal of non-native vegetation such as mustard, artichoke thistle, Russian thistle, and non-native grasses. Noteworthy progress has been achieved, as evidenced by the project meeting interim performance standards in 2023.

Following the 2020 Silverado Fire, the Agua Chinon riparian restoration project has demonstrated remarkable resilience. Under the stewardship of Irvine Ranch Conservancy (IRC) , significant efforts have been made to restore the site to its former vitality. Despite facing challenges such as the persistence of non-native weeds, the site is on track to meet its final performance standards in 2024, signaling a significant milestone in its recovery journey.

Managed by the IRC under contract with OCWR, the Crystal Cove restoration project has made notable strides in 2023. The site preparation phase, marked by extensive weed management efforts has concluded, paving the way for the planting of native vegetation. In late 2023, native seed mixes for coastal sage scrub, coastal bluff, and native grassland habitats were applied by hand, totaling 268 bulk pounds. The effort included incorporating sensitive plant species into the seed mixes to facilitate the reestablishment of their populations. Notable additions included vernal barley, paniculate tarplant and OC Turkish rugging, contributing to the project's biodiversity objectives.