Starting Oak Trees

Ranger Barbara, Kimberly and Winter jointly collected acorns: Coast Live Oak, Quercus agrifolia, and Scrub Oak, Quercus berberidifolia. Tom and David cleaned acorns, and placed them in polyethylene bags with moistened medium, germination mix. The bags, slightly open, were placed in dark container…. “stratification”. Once the acorns produce a tap root, in 4-6 weeks, we’ll put them in 4” tall pots. We’ll have to cage these pots after the first leaves show as rats will gnaw off the stalks.

Seed Collecting

Robert, David and Tom back from seed collecting CA Everlasting, Gnaphalium californicum (?), to be used for restoration seed mix. Seed collection is for both restoration by seed and for container plants. We’ll be starting seed flats at the end of September: 30th. Reviewed seed collecting by educational groups with Kimberly.

Fixing rain collection system

Today Nanci and I watered the 1,600+ grasses for the Nix center. The original delivery was for August 1, but the un-official reschedule date is November 4, which also appears unlikely. This is frustrating as the grasses are stressed and not in containers for prolonged care. We’ll just have to do our best.
Francisco, and new volunteer Paul, helped fix the rain collection system. The unique design by Ranger Larry, that combined the roof-end and the gutter got separated due to the screws snapping. This time heavy-duty screws were used... "screwed down for life".

Seed Collecting

Matt, Dale, Marilyn and Ranger Barbara helped collect seeds from Indian Tobacco, Nicotiana quadrivalvis, Bush sunflower, Encelia californica, and Hollyleaf Redberry, Rhamnus ilicifolia. We collected around Big Bend and worked our way back on a very hot day. The Bush Sunflower we will use for container plants and seed restoration. See slideshow for pictures. (Click any pic to enlarge)

Nanci poses with Nix Center grass seedlings. Note the size of the stand of white sage! Many other changes you might note: 3 new benches and new signage. I capped the screened top of the rain collection cistern, as weather is forecasted to get hot. Last year lost 25+ gallons to evaporation. (Click any pic to enlarge)

Restoration Site Survey

Ranger Barbara arranged for Trish Smith from The Nature Conservancy to come along to help articulate restoration site. Anthony’s Restoration Learning Cluster from Soka University also came along. We did soil samplings, invasive and native plant inventory, site description and talk on site challenges. See slide show for more pics and details on the grass plants for the Nix Center. (Click any pic to enlarge)

Soka Restoration Class Planting

Soka University’s Restoration Class doing a work day at Nursery. Anthony Mazeroll’s class pumped out 1,944 2 ½ pots of purple needlegrass, Nassella pulchra, for the Nix Nature Center. This completes the goal of a total of 2,000. Hard working group. We also did field trip up to one of the naturally occurring grass area’s. See slideshow for more pictures. (Click any pic to enlarge)