Erosion Control:
Eradication of Pampas grass

We remove European Dune Grass and Pampas Grass, two extremely invasive species that are destroying native dune habitats at Franklin Point, near Año Nuevo, -- one of the most beautiful natural dune areas on the coast.

In the third year of this project, the eradication of Pampas/Jubata Grass (Cortaderia jubata) has been very successful, with plant numbers reduced from over 1,000, including many large plants, to under 100 small new sprouts each year.

The European Dune Grass (Ammophila arenaria) project area 1 is 99%complete with only a handful of re-sprouts each month, instead of complete coverage. Project area 2 is 90% complete, project area 3 is 70% complete and Area 4 is 30% complete on one half, and 60% on the other half. Continued success depends on new people helping every month. Volunteer to help save one of the most beautiful habitats on the coast. Call John Wade at 650-879-3244.

Our Pampas Grass eradication project between Pescadero and San Gregorio with farm workers was very successful last year in removing over 20,000 plants, and if funds are raised this year, we will be following up to eliminate re-sprouts and take on adjoining areas.

In cooperation with State Parks, we are working with K-8 grade children from the La Honda and Pescadero Elementary Schools and Middle School, as well as the San Joaquin Outdoor School, to remove invasive plants in Pescadero Marsh (European Dune Grass and Ice Plant)

At La Honda School we worked with the K, 1, 4 & 5th grades to do a small erosion control project next to one of the classrooms.

Recently, we presented three field classes on erosion control methods for the coast including the difficult problem of soil piping and biotechnical methods using willow plantings. We plan future projects to help stop the spread of invasive species and restore the gullies on the coast.