Coastal Sage Scrub and Grassland Restoration at Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve
In the fall of 2008, the Orange County Society for Conservation Biology received a grant from the Sonoran Joint Venture (SVJ) to restore 4.8 acres of endangered habitat in the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve of Orange County, California. The site is located on a dry, slightly sloping, upland site that supports a coastal sage scrub and grassland matrix habitat. A history of grazing and ranching on the project site has led to the development of a highly disturbed community dominated by the invasive species Brassica nigra and Erodium spp. Recreational pressures and illegal trail creation have further degraded the site by creating erosion and disturbing the avian community.
 |
| Restoration events are scheduled September-May, 1st and 3rd Sundays |
The primary objectives of this project are:
- Restore coastal sage scrub and grassland habitat to support the reproductive success of several SJV priority Species of Concern
- Monitor the project site pre- and post-restoration by conducting area searches
- Use monthly events to educate and train the community in bird monitoring, restoration ecology, and birding skills.
As a part of the Coastal Orange County Wetlands Important Bird Area, Upper Newport Bay provides critical habitat for both water and terrestrial birds. The habitat known as coastal sage scrub (CSS) is an endemic habitat to the California and Baja coastline and supports high avian diversity. CSS is home to the endemic and Federally Threatened California Gnatcatcher; Cactus “San Diego” Wren, a California Species of Special Concern; Wrentit; California Thrasher; and several other species. Restoration of degraded coastal sage scrub and grassland habitat in ecological reserves is a means of increasing the biodiversity and abundance of these priority species by bringing back more native habitat within the already protected areas.
We also acknowledge that it is not enough to simply restore a degraded site but to also find ways to access the success of our restoration efforts. Therefore we plan to formally monitor changes in bird populations of the restored site. All data collected in the monitoring of the project site will be made available to the Avian Knowledge Network through online data entry. Birders in the surrounding community will be trained in area search techniques to ensure that monitoring is carried out over the long term.
In addition to restoration, there is a need to cultivate the next generation of conservation culture in Orange County. OCSCB supports a new generation of conservation with its broad membership, events, and programs. OCSCB strives to increase the awareness and involvement of the community in conservation, provide opportunities for professional skill development in conservation biology, and support restoration efforts throughout the Orange County region. The restoration process of this project will stress community involvement by engaging the members of OCSCB and the surrounding Orange County community.
We offer special thanks to the OCSCB members who wrote the grant proposal and to the volunteers that are involved in the restoration project.
If you are interested in volunteering, we hold restoration events the 2nd and 4th Sundays of every month from 9am-12pm. Please check our calendar for specific dates!
Our Current Sponsors |
|
 |
 |