After canceling the last two volunteer workdays due to weather conditions, the Living Arroyos Program was happy to host their 6th volunteer event on Saturday, February 4th. A total of 26 volunteers met at the Arroyo Mocho Stanly Reach project site at 9 AM, traveling from distances as far as Moraga, CA to Fremont, CA.
College roommates reconnect at Living Arroyos volunteer event
The Living Arroyos field crew had two goals in mind for this particular workday.
Our primary goal was to remove invasive plant species that compete with the hundreds of native trees we’ve planted for space, nutrients, water and light. With a quick visual assessment of the riparian habitat at Stanley Reach, it is obvious that wild radish is the dominant invasive plant species on site. This broadleaf plant can grow up to 2 feet tall and can be susceptible to several diseases and pests that could cause harm to our native trees.
Volunteers hand removing invasive plant species
Our second goal was to remove large piles of wooden debris that was washed on site as a result of recent rainstorms. Piles of wooden debris have completely covered or caused damage to many of the trees planted closest to the water channel.
Volunteers removing wooden debris
Our plan of action was to sustainably remove unwanted plant material by hand. At the end of the workday, volunteers removed 490 gallons of wild radish plants and 1,125 gallons of wooden debris.
We want to send our warmest gratitude to our volunteers for their hard work and dedication toward improving riparian habitat and water quality conditions within the Livermore-Amador Valley. You all are TRULY AMAZING!!!
Piles of wooden debris _ before
Wooden debris_ after