Restoration Projects
Overview
We are involved in three major initiatives
Through grants from the California Coastal Conservancy and other sources, we have completed a two-year planning process to create the Laguna Ecosystem Restoration and Management Plan, a "blueprint" for restoring the Laguna’s ecological health. Developed with input from scientists and other technical experts, public agencies and Laguna landowners, the "RMP" will frame the community’s vision for improving the Laguna’s functioning for many years to come.
One area where the Laguna has obviously needed help has been in relation to the invasion of a South American aquatic plant, Ludwigia, which has choked the channel in some places, forcing out native vegetation, covering open water that is needed by migrating waterfowl, causing deteriorating water quality as its biomass decomposes, and creating a perfect breeding habitat for mosquito species which are known to be vectors for West Nile Virus. The plant will regenerate from a 1" piece of stem or root, so mechanical removal alone is fruitless.
The Foundation convened a panel of public agencies and experts for 18 months to identify a strategy for controlling the plant, and has now completed the first year of the Ludwigia Control Project in the worst affected areas of the Laguna.
We have also done the planning and secured partial funding for an extensive habitat restoration effort in the "middle reach" of the Laguna which began in April 2007, reestablishing native riparian vegetation, seasonal wetlands and oak woodlands in a project area extending along nearly two miles of the channel.
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