29 May Invasive Plant Removal & Bird Surveys in Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve

Folar. “29 May Invasive Plant Removal & Bird Surveys in Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve.” Folarorg, 29 May 2020, folar.org/2020/05/29/habitat-restoration-sepulveda-basin/. 

Different types of mustards, such as shortpod and black mustards, are non-native to the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve—the only officially designated wildlife reserve within Los Angeles. In an effort to protect the federally-endangered Least Bell’s Vireo bird species, volunteers have been removing the mustards within the reserve. What makes the plant particularly dangerous is its ability to create a thick, near-impenetrable biomass. The California Native Plant Society has found that the removal of the shortpod and black mustards allows them to discover invasive weeds and thistles hiding under the mass. Thus, by removing the mustards and the initially-hidden invasive weeds, significant restoration has occurred; invasives have been eradicated and, in turn, pollinating, native plants have been transplanted in their place.

The emphasis on community here is quite striking. Numerous volunteers and advocacy committees stepped up to help with this ambitious project, such as the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Steering Committee and Encino-Lake Balboa Neighborhood Councils. Given the aforementioned steps needed to help restore the area’s biodiversity and protect endangered birds, this communal effort was necessary to make a substantial difference. According to the Friends of the LA River Group, “All together, this project re-establishes native vegetation, improves wildlife habitat, reduces fire hazard, and addresses climate change by assisting drought-tolerant native plant species.” Such noticeable restoration efforts were able to happen by first educating the surrounding community and then calling on them to use their newfound knowledge to help make a difference in their local reserve ecosystems. Volunteers were specifically trained to identify targeted bird species, carry out crucial data collection in the field, and monitor the bird population in the area. Unfortunately, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, volunteers are unable to continue helping at this time, but their impact is clear in the reduced invasive species and flourishing bird populations.

4 thoughts on “29 May Invasive Plant Removal & Bird Surveys in Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve

  1. This was an uplifting read! I feel like the impact of invasive plants isn’t quite talked about as much as animals, which is a shame. I’m glad the community was able to come together to deal with the issue. Do you think this is a viable solution to other invasive species issues?

    • Thank you! It’s certainly subjective to the species. For this instance, the problem was centralized locally which made it easier for the community to come together; however, this is oftentimes not the case for other invasive species. Invasive plants and invasive animals require vastly different solutions, so it really depends on the extent of the problem.

  2. It’s great to read about people volunteering for a great cause and helping a species. Brightens my day. Do you think if more people volunteered to help out with endangered/invasive species that we could help a lot of ecosystems? How could we get more funding for these opportunities more?

    • Thanks! There’s certainly a pattern in tackling invasive species where communities coming together makes a big difference. A collective interest in the wellbeing of a given ecosystem in the local community is really helpful and can make a difference, even when the issue seems too widespread. I think the most important thing for funding and the generic interest of the community starts with education. If people understand the scope of the problem, they are more likely to help and potentially donate as well.

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