March 8th, 2008 Sub-Shrubs and Shrubs

March 8th found the Class at Long Canyon Road, directly across Ortega Highway from Long Meadow, our December training location. We could see that our eradication method in December was highly successful in abating non-native mustards for this growing season! No non-native mustards were present!

For this session we were conducting our Field Training Exercises in search of non-native broom. We found plenty to practice on right next to plenty of Poison Oak. After our safety session, which included instruction for sanitizing shoes and tools to prevent cross contamination of sites, we embarked on pulling out broom with Root Talons and Weed Wrenches.

By far the Weed Wrench was the most successful tool. Ranger Tom Maloney from Mason Regional Park has suggested the Extractigator, and this may have been a good time to compare, unfortunately Tom was not with us, nor did we have his Extractigator.

In no time at all we had removed all visible broom at this small riparian site, and piled it up for later removal by the US Forest Service. This is a site to watch, as broom species can re-sprout from seed in areas for years.

We finished up with a Circle Safety Session and final sanitizing of tools.

Continued thanks for Debra Clarke - Wilderness / Trails Manager District Volunteer Coordinator Cleveland NF, Trabuco Ranger District who attends each session.
For more information on how to become involved in this training please visit our USFS collaboration page : www.backtonatives.org/usfs.htm

Look to the right for one reason we Restore Habitat!

January 12, 2008 Mustards! Non-Native and Native Species Part Two Chemical Controls

January found us at Starr Ranch Audubon Sanctuary with Sandy DeSimone hosting us. http://www.starrranch.org/ Sandy gave us an introductory talk on the non-chemical methods applied at Starr Ranch for artichoke thistle eradication.

After Sandy's intro we dove right in to non-native mustards and recommended control methods. This was followed up with native mustards found in the area (mostly Orange County Species with some from the Santa Ana Mountains just outside of OC). Also included was an alternative seeding selection to possibly out compete or crowd out non native mustards.

This was followed by the second half of our Chemical Control agents, recommended applications as well environmental and health impacts of chemical usage. Overall the same number if not more site visits and applications were required of chemical treatments than mechanical removal methods. Alarmingly many mustards are already resistant to most LEGAL chemical control methods.

We finished the last portion of the session following Sandy out to a field recently cleared of Artichoke thistle. We removed mustard rosettes that had invaded the soon to be seeded field. Hopefully we made a dent in a very sizable area. The session was called to a close after reviewing safety protocol with a circle session of safety with everyone taking turns pointing out safety tips and methods. Call us out again next year Sandy!

Special Thanks to Sandy DeSimone PhD for hosting us at Starr Ranch. Continued thanks for Debra Clarke - Wilderness / Trails Manager District Volunteer Coordinator Cleveland NF, Trabuco Ranger District who attends each session.

For more information on how to become involved in this training please visit our USFS collaboration page : www.backtonatives.org/usfs.htm

Look to the right for one reason we Restore Habitat!

December 12, 2007 Non-Native Herbaceous Eradication Field Lab

December found us meeting at the San Juan Fire Station to caravan out to Long Meadow for Field Training Exercises. At Long Meadow we used Weed hounds to successfully eradicate non-native mustards from a traditional Acjacheman weaving material collection area. Ranger Candice Hubert came out to learn about Mustard removal. We spent roughly two hours at Long Meadow and then caravanned to Upper San Juan campground where we once again tackled Vinca.

Bill Croxson and David Taylor show off their Weed Hound Skills.

Continued thanks for Debra Clarke - Wilderness / Trails Manager District Volunteer Coordinator Cleveland NF, Trabuco Ranger District who attends each session.

For more information on how to become involved in this training please visit our USFS collaboration page : www.backtonatives.org/usfs.htm

Look to the right for one reason we Restore Habitat!

November 10, 2007 Herbaceous Perennials and Chemical Control Methods

The October training session was canceled due to the Santiago Fire. See our USFS Collaboration page www.backtonatives.org/usfs.htm for more information on Post-Fire Recovery Projects.



November 10th found us at Caspers' Wilderness Park for our second training session: Herbaceous Perennials and Control Methods, and Introduction to Chemical Controls. The lecture described common non-native herbaceous annuals and perennials as well as weeds to watch along with typical control/eradication methods for these species. Common botanical terms were provided to help with understanding the botanical descriptions and treatments of these weeds. Further suggestions of alternative native seeding to prevent or out compete these invaders was provided.



Full .PDF versions of the power point based lectures were provided via links on the Back to Natives website.



The lecture concluded with a thorough presentation of chemicals mentioned as possible control methods along with typical recommended applications as well as most chemicals on the market today for weed control and their environmental and health impacts.



We concluded the day with two hours of Vinca removal at San Juan Hot Springs found within Caspers Wilderness Park acreage.



Great Class everyone, and great questions!



Special Thanks to Ranger Ryan Cordero for hosting us at Caspers. Continued thanks for Debra Clarke - Wilderness / Trails Manager District Volunteer Coordinator Cleveland NF, Trabuco Ranger District who attends each session.



Look to the right for one reason we Restore Habitat!

Orientation Class September 27th, 2007

During our Orientation Class for the USFS Back to Natives Restoration Training Program we met at the USFS Silverado Fire Station.This first Orientation session included an introduction to the Training Program, ‘What we are protecting and Why we care,’ tool demonstration and volunteer responsibilities. RSVP to receive our event waiver and program registration. You will need to fill out the registration form and return it electronically via email, then print and sign a hard copy of both forms (filled out completely) and bring them with you to the first Training Session on Saturday March 29th. By signing the registration form you agree to attend all 9 training sessions (for schedule conflicts please contact us individually). After attending all 9 training sessions, you will receive Training Certification from the United States Forest Service and Back to Natives Restoration, and once Certified agree to commit to 1 additional year of volunteering 2 hours per month at the location(s) and venue(s) of your choice, representing BTN and reporting volunteer hours to BTN. (If your career involves being a Land Steward, that is considered fulfillment of this particular requirement for certification!) If you signed up on behalf of multiple individuals, be sure each person fills out a registration form and waiver.

Subsequent meetings will be at various locations within and bordering the Cleveland National Forest.

The Fire Fighters were great! They performed a fantastic demonstration of how they set hand lines and trail clearings. This demonstration gave us a great appreciation for the hard work that goes into fighting wild land fires. It also gave everyone a first hand demonstration and visual explanation of why we do not use these type of tools for restoration purposes!

For restoration purposes, weed eradication should disturb as little soil as possible. We recommend first and foremost: HANDS!

Weed Hound : Herbaceous, especially those with a rosette form when initially growing.

Root Talon: designed for a non native species of Buck Thorn, this great tool acts as a giant claw hammer to draw out the entire root crown of the sub shrub and large herbaceous species.

Weed Wrench: great for sub shrubs, shrubs and small trees with a bole diameter less than 4 inches.

As we progress through this 9 month Training Program we will be covering eradication methods for Herbaceous Perennials, Mustards, Sub-Shrubs shrubs and Small Trees Chemical Controls and Biological Controls Field Labs finishing with a written and field lab Final for certification purposes.

For more information on how to become involved in this training please visit our USFS collaboration page : www.backtonatives.org/usfs.htm