Habitat restoration project begins at Coal Oil Point

By DAILY SOUND STAFF — Jan. 19, 2010

A habitat restoration project is underway at Coal Oil Point Reserve to remove nonnative plant species and reinvigorate the coastal sage scrub and wetland habitats.

Santa Barbara Audubon is spearheading the project with a grant of $34,050 from the Goleta Valley Land Trust. Goals include replacing nonnative grasses with native species such as purple needlegrass and California brome, in addition to removing nonnative tamarisk shrubs, harding grass and thistles.

Additional work on a dune swale pond should improve breeding areas for bird species such as red-winged blackbirds and the southwest pond turtle. Workers also plan to make improvements to the pond trail and viewing area.

Goleta Valley Land Trust officials are also supporting tours of the reserve with hands-on restoration for local community groups. Those interested in the opportunity should contact Ofri Gabay at 893-5092 or by email at coprstaff@lifesci.ucsb.edu.

Local residents can also participate in the project during an upcoming volunteer day this Saturday, from 9 a.m. to noon, to help plant native species. Future workdays will be posted at santabarbaraaudubon.org and more information is available by calling 692-2008.

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audubon is great : 1/19/2010

Santa Barbara Audubon and the EDC are doing such great work to protect habitats, and in this case, Audubon is also restoring habitats.
Good work!

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