The Native Plant & Wildflower Team
Mission Statement:
The goal of the Native Plant and Wildflower Team (NPW) is to restore, maintain and enhance Los Jilgueros Preserve (LJP). Establishing plants native to the area on the preserve will provide habitat for both resident and migratory species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
History:
The Native Plant and Wildflower Team grew out of Los Jilgueros Preserve Planning committee, which was established in 1990, soon after Los Jilgueros was donated to the FLC by the family of Pamela Van Der Linden. Shogo Yamaguchi, a retired professor of botany used his wit and immense knowledge to guide the restoration of native flora on LJP. As the leader of the NPW Team, he continued to work on this project with youthful enthusiasm into his nineties. The majestic sycamores, stately oaks, colorful redbuds, sage and other plants that grace the landscape and provide habitat serve as a lasting memorial to a remarkable man, and an inspiration to us all.
Recent Work Parties:
The NPW Team conducted a planting with The Children of the Daughters of the American Revolution, on March 22, 2009. The planting took place near the utility easement at the Los Jilgueros Preserve.
On April 25, 2009, The Rotary Club along with members of the Team, planted 30 trees to increase the Oak Woodland/Riparian area below the lower pond.
The NPW Team has also been planting grasses, trees and shrubs in the center area of the main parking lot while keeping invasive plants such as mustard under control.
Since the fall of 2008 the NPW Team has planted over 253 native plants and trees in Los Jilgueros Preserve.
Native Plant and Wildflower Team Keep Busy Planting at Los Jilgueros
The Native Plant & Wildflower Team (NP&WT) has been very busy this Fall preparing and organizing the Los Jilgueros Preserve planting day that took place on November 14th, 2009.
“We would like to thank Jesus and Herman who work for the Fallbrook Land Conservancy for all their hard work prior to the planting day,” says team member Jan Beeler. “They drilled over 386 holes with an auger in the rock hard soil, and helped us transfer over 386 plants from the Save Our Forest nursery. They were a tremendous help!”
The NP&WT worked together with Save Our Forest, Friends of Los Jilgueros, Fallbrook Rotary Club, Camp Pendleton Cub Scout Pack 789, the entire Catechism class from St. Peter's Catholic Church, and many others from as far away as Lake Elsinore to make this planting day an overwhelming success.
Within 45 minutes, 75 volunteers planted Coast Live Oaks, sycamores, elderberries, toyons, sages, and California wild roses. These plants are native to the area and will establish habitat for native birds and wildlife that normally live in the area.
One father arrived with his two teenage kids at 10:00 am and was surprised to find everyone already packed up and ready to go home. He looked at his kids and said, "Shall we throw some dirt on us, go home, and tell your mother what a terrific job we did?"
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The Native Plant and Wildflower Team:
Team Leaders: Gary Beeler and Jody Williams
Team Members: Jan Beeler, Julie Norberg, and Joan Williams
Team Treasurer: Toni Inman - Founder
From Left to Right: Jody & Joan Williams, Julie Norberg, Jan & Gary Beeler
To Join NPW Work Parties:
The Native Plant and Wildflower Team meets at Los Jilgueros Preserve every Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m. Please come join us at the Preserve to learn more about the native habitat. Contact the Fallbrook Land Conservancy at 728-0889 for more information.