Earth Days At Bolsa Chica (Part 1)

On Saturday April 19, Amigos de Bolsa Chica joined with the Bolsa Chica Land Trust and the Bolsa Chica Stewards to host the planting of approximately 1,000 native plants on Bolsa Chica Mesa. Over 500 students, scouts, members of a variety of organizations and members of the community came out to assist with the planting.

The day began with a brief speech from Huntington Beach Mayor Debbie Cook, followed by Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve Manager Kelly O'Reilly with the California Department of Fish & Game. Kim Kolpin, Executive Director of the Stewards, gave instructions on what the planting would involve. The goal of this phase of this restoration is to replant the bluff of the mesa along outer Bolsa Bay with native coastal vegetation that was lost many generations ago to ranching and farming.

First, the non-native grasses and plants, the wild radish in particular, had to be removed to make way for the native plants. The native plants consist mainly of coastal sage, buckwheat and bladder pod. Pallettes of the plants had been set out the previous day. A water truck drove out onto the mesa to fill (and refill) dozens of plastic bottles that gave each individual plant some moisture to get started in its new home.

Refreshments of juice, fruit and snacks were provided to volunteers throught the day, and participants were treated to a free lunch of barbeque beef and macaroni and cheese for all of the energy they expended.