VOLUNTEERS PLANT TREES AS PART OF $60,000 GRANT PROJECT AT THE FALLBROOK LAND CONSERVANCY’S LOS JILGUEROS PRESERVE

More than 75 eager volunteers grabbed gloves and shovels and headed for Los Jilgueros Preserve on Saturday, Nov 14th to help the Fallbrook Land Conservancy (FLC) plant 386 native trees, shrubs, and grasses, as part of a major re-vegetation effort in the preserve.

Several large groups took part in the planting day, including Cub Scout pack 789 from Camp Pendleton, and the Rotary Club of Fallbrook. The largest group present was St. Peter’s Catholic Church Catechism Class, with 21 teenage volunteers.

The large number of volunteers made quick work of the planting, completing the work in about an hour. A variety of native species were planted, including sycamore, live oak, and cottonwood trees, toyon, white sage, and California rose shrubs and various native grasses.

Gary Beeler, a member of the FLC’s volunteer Native Plant and Wildflower Team, helped organize and prepare for the planting event. “Over 60 hours of labor went in to the preparation for the event”, Gary noted. The Native Plant and Wildflower Team along with FLC employees, spent weeks planning, clearing, and digging holes. “All the plants were provided by the FLC’s Save Our Forest Nursery”, said Jan Beeler. The 386 potted plants were brought in and staged the day before the event to speed the process.

Saturday’s planting was part of an ambitious 4 year project made possible by two separate grants to the FLC, totaling more than $60,000.

In September, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) awarded a $48,125 Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) grant to the FLC for a variety of projects aimed at restoring native habitat within the preserve. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service granted another $12,000 to support the same project. The coordinated grant process began over a year ago, according to Mike Peters, Executive Director of the FLC. Close coordination and open communication between all three agencies was critical to securing the grants and establishing the objectives and timeline for the project.

The goal of the overall project is to remove non-native, invasive plant species from the wetlands and riparian areas, and restore native coastal sage scrub and oak woodland trees throughout the preserve. “Re-vegetation with native shrubs and trees will provide more substantial cover and food sources for wildlife” said Mike Peters, “In addition, it should reduce costly maintenance associated with mowing and weeding of the non-native grasses.”

“The volunteer hours spent on these projects is an important part of the grant process” noted Mr. Peters. “We have to track and report volunteer hours, and without their support these projects could not proceed.”

Later stages of the project will include temporary fencing of the newly restored habitat, mulching, brush management, and the construction of wildlife structures to encourage reptiles, birds, and mammals to make Los Jilgueros Preserve their home.

Los Jilgueros is one of 10 preserves owned and managed by the Fallbrook Land Conservancy and is conveniently located on South Mission Rd in Fallbrook, across from the airpark.

For more information on how you can help support the Fallbrook Land Conservancy’s community efforts, please call the office at (760)728-0889.

Nicholas Gerace, Ethan Perdew, and Jeff Roback from Cub Scout Pack 789, Camp Pendleton, plant native grasses at Los Jilgueros Preserve.

Daniel Ixta and Andrew Hernandez, part of the St. Peters Catholic Catechism Class, plant a California Sycamore at the edge of the wetlands at Los Jilgueros.

Members of St. Peters Catholic Catechism Class plant native shrubs.

Rotarians take a break after planting.

	Home Our Preserves Activities/Projects News and More Photo Gallery Membership Contact Us VOLUNTEERS PLANT TREES AS PART OF $60,000 GRANT PROJECT AT THE FALLBROOK LAND CONSERVANCY’S LOS JILGUEROS PRESERVE More than 75 eager volunteers grabbed gloves and shovels and headed for Los Jilgueros Preserve on Saturday, Nov 14th to help the Fallbrook Land Conservancy (FLC) plant 386 native trees, shrubs, and grasses, as part of a major re-vegetation effort in the preserve. Several large groups took part in the planting day, including Cub Scout pack 789 from Camp Pendleton, and the Rotary Club of Fallbrook. The largest group present was St. Peter’s Catholic Church Catechism Class, with 21 teenage volunteers. The large number of volunteers made quick work of the planting, completing the work in about an hour. A variety of native species were planted, including sycamore, live oak, and cottonwood trees, toyon, white sage, and California rose shrubs and various native grasses. Gary Beeler, a member of the FLC’s volunteer Native Plant and Wildflower Team, helped organize and prepare for the planting event. “Over 60 hours of labor went in to the preparation for the event”, Gary noted. The Native Plant and Wildflower Team along with FLC employees, spent weeks planning, clearing, and digging holes. “All the plants were provided by the FLC’s Save Our Forest Nursery”, said Jan Beeler. The 386 potted plants were brought in and staged the day before the event to speed the process. Saturday’s planting was part of an ambitious 4 year project made possible by two separate grants to the FLC, totaling more than $60,000. In September, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) awarded a $48,125 Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) grant to the FLC for a variety of projects aimed at restoring native habitat within the preserve. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service granted another $12,000 to support the same project. The coordinated grant process began over a year ago, according to Mike Peters, Executive Director of the FLC. Close coordination and open communication between all three agencies was critical to securing the grants and establishing the objectives and timeline for the project. The goal of the overall project is to remove non-native, invasive plant species from the wetlands and riparian areas, and restore native coastal sage scrub and oak woodland trees throughout the preserve. “Re-vegetation with native shrubs and trees will provide more substantial cover and food sources for wildlife” said Mike Peters, “In addition, it should reduce costly maintenance associated with mowing and weeding of the non-native grasses.” “The volunteer hours spent on these projects is an important part of the grant process” noted Mr. Peters. “We have to track and report volunteer hours, and without their support these projects could not proceed.” Later stages of the project will include temporary fencing of the newly restored habitat, mulching, brush management, and the construction of wildlife structures to encourage reptiles, birds, and mammals to make Los Jilgueros Preserve their home. Los Jilgueros is one of 10 preserves owned and managed by the Fallbrook Land Conservancy and is conveniently located on South Mission Rd in Fallbrook, across from the airpark. For more information on how you can help support the Fallbrook Land Conservancy’s community efforts, please call the office at (760)728-0889. Nicholas Gerace, Ethan Perdew, and Jeff Roback from Cub Scout Pack 789, Camp Pendleton, plant native grasses at Los Jilgueros Preserve. Daniel Ixta and Andrew Hernandez, part of the St. Peters Catholic Catechism Class, plant a California Sycamore at the edge of the wetlands at Los Jilgueros. Members of St. Peters Catholic Catechism Class plant native shrubs. Rotarians take a break after planting. ® 2012 Fallbrook Land Conservancy all rights reserved