Restoration
Working to remove invasive plants, replant natives and improve habitat restoration. We organize an annual work day in Moraga CA on Mulholland Ridge, and an annual native plant sale.
Mulholland Plan for Long-Term Removal of Invasive Species
Invasive thistles are getting out of control.
Currently the invasive weeds are left unchecked. Moraga has obtained funding and there is a lot of local support and interest to restore Mulholland to its natural condition. To do this, the invasive species must be removed and eradicated.
This is an aerial map of the Mulholland Ridge Property. These photos help experts to see areas that are most overgrown and of highest concern and allows the town to prioritize work areas to focus on.
Moraga Beautiful Efforts
Each year, beginning in 2003, a team of resident volunteers assists during Moraga Beautiful Week. A hands-on action day is held in early May. Volunteers use tools to manually removel the seed heads to prevent them from dropping and reseeding the area. Special focus is placed on removing the thistles from the recently restored series of wetland ponds.
Once the invasives species have been removed, we will need volunteers to assist with planting of native species.
- 2003-2006
- Manual removal of seed heads, however:
- Insufficient volunteers
- Need to focus on priority areas
- Need to follow up with hand applied herbicide
- Need to follow with planting of native species
- Hands-on removal in the wetland restoration area 2006
Lessons Learned
- Thistle removal is most effective in the newly disturbed areas, i.e. near the new wetland areas. This is because the seed heads have not been disbursed from previous years.
- The areas along the roadside require mowing. If not mowed (or if it is not possible to mow) the thistles will return..
- A spot application of the herbicide Round-up is required on the large mature plants. Otherwise, the very deep mature root system simply sends up shoots and begins to grow again. Using Integrated Pesticide Management Practices (IPM) a minimal amount of material is used, it is hand-applied, and the timing ensures that the material will not spread to surrounding areas or applied during habitat nesting season.
Next Steps
The Town of Moraga is putting together a long-term strategy and a written plan. Generation Green will continue to provide input and volunteer work days. Please call for more information and to volunteer!