2022.06.07 | Volunteer Opportunity on the Ranch

By Michael Thomas, board memeber

Friends of the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve (FFRP) is planning an ice plant pulling work party Saturday June 11, 2022, 10 AM-12 noon. Come join us!

Why remove South African ice plant from Fiscalini Ranch Preserve? South African ice plant is at the very top of the list of invasive species on the original survey when our Preserve was created. Ice plant is not a California native plant, it was introduced into California in the early 1900s for erosion control on railroad tracks, and later used by Caltrans on roadsides. With shallow roots and branches climbing over each other, it can become very heavy. This causes large mats of the ice plant to spall off steep surfaces, taking nutrients and topsoil along with it, so especially damaging along our coastal bluffs. South African ice plant competes aggressively for water and space with native plants, smothers protected habitats like our coastal cliffs, increases soil salinity, and can lead to more rapid erosion.

And just look at these Seaside Coastal Daisies trying to survive the ice plant invasion! Let's rescue these lovely California natives by removing as much of this invasive ice plant as we can!

Volunteers will gather up at the South Windsor Drive entrance to the Bluff Trail Saturday June 11, 2022, at 10 AM. No experience is necessary: we will show you how it's done. Pulling ice plant really is a lot of fun once you get the hang of it. It's hard work, but we all work at our own pace, no competition, and every little bit helps. Wear sturdy shoes, clothes you don't mind getting grubby, and a good pair of gloves. Bring your favorite pair of clippers if you have them. If you don't have any, FFRP will have clippers you can borrow. If you have a wheelbarrow and don't mind bringing it, that would be great, too.

Article first published in https://cambriaca.org/