RESTORATION

Restoration is responsible for the ecological restoration of the Arcade Creek.

Restoration is responsible for nursing the Arcade Creek back to health. The ecological restoration consists of beautifying the creek, the removal of invasive species, and the reintroduction of native species. Over the course of the year, Restoration is responsible for the removal of large quantities of trash and recyclables, including bottles, tires, TV’s, cigarettes, and shopping carts. Restoration is also in charge of removing three main invasive species in and around the arcade creek. The first is Arundo, a bamboo like plant that can grow up to 3 meters tall, which grows on the banks and next to the banks of the creek. It causes erosion of the surrounding soil and consumes large amounts of water that would otherwise go towards the survival of native plants. The second is Red Sesbania. Although it is smaller and thinner this tree-like plant spreads its seeds by air and is found growing in every area of the creek. The Red Sesbania once planted will take over areas of native species driving them to sparse populations and possible extinction in that area of the creek. The third species is Himalayan Blackberry. The Himalayan blackberry more often than spreading by seeds spreads from one plant which will grow to cover a large area near the creek. In doing this it uproots and takes over the areas in which native plants inhabit and is especially harmful to the California Blackberry. Recently Restoration has discovered that palm trees have also been sprouting up around the riparian corridor and have discussed an action plan to get rid of them as well.