Cooper’s Hawk

Hands up, all who knew there is a real nature preserve right in our own backyard! The Hedrick Ranch Nature Area (HRNA) is a 223-acre property on the south bank of the Santa Clara River between Fillmore and Santa Paula, off of South Mountain Road. Sanger Hedrick’s father bought the property in 1940, and the family has farmed it until recently. In 2001, he sold the property to the California State Coastal Conservancy which then granted it to the Friends of the Santa Clara River (FSCR), a non-profit environmental group. The mission of FSCR is to “protect, enhance and manage resources of the Santa Clara River.” They believe it is critical to protect and preserve floodplains and riparian areas and to address watershed issues. The HRNA is a living workshop where habitat restoration takes place, including weed abatement, seed collection, native plant propagation, and planting.

Volunteers meet once a month on alternate first Saturdays or Sundays for a morning’s work. On a recent Saturday morning, several eager workers with loppers in hand tackled an overgrown path. All agreed that working with friends, seeing a variety of birds and wildlife, including coyotes and bobcats (and the occasional rattlesnake), and doing their part to help the environment were all benefits of volunteering at HRNA. A highlight of today’s workday was seeing regular HRNA and Ojai Raptor Center volunteer Pete Triem release three Cooper’s Hawks into the wild. A group of teenagers with City Corps of Ventura were also on hand to plant 1,200 native plants grown right on the property.

In addition to volunteers, the HRNA is supported by grants from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and from the State Water Resources Control Board. The FSCR also contracts with Coastal Restoration Consultants for technical advice on implementing the habitat restoration plan. John True, Project Coordinator, discussed how the goal of removing non-native, invasive plant species and reintroducing native species was being achieved. The property had most recently been used as pasture for cattle when FSCR received it, and heavy rains in 2005 causing flooding had deposited about one foot of silt and sediment on the property. Native grasses, shrubs, and trees were planted, and now most plants used in restoration here are propagated in a small nursery on site from seeds and cuttings collected on the preserve. There are about 11,000 plants growing in their “low-tech” nursery, and they are continually starting plants throughout the year, using frames covered with plastic to protect vulnerable plants from the cold in winter months. Plants are watered from a well and rain. According to John, as a greater variety of native species are planted, biodiversity increases, resulting in higher populations of insects, birds, and other wildlife. The Least Bell’s Vireo, an endangered species of bird, is present in the area.

The restoration of the Hedrick Ranch Nature Area is helping to meet the larger goal of protecting endangered species and returning the Santa Clara River to a more native state. More volunteers are always welcome at workdays! The next workday is Sunday, January 11, 2009 (weather permitting). Wear long pants, boots, and sun protection, and bring water and gloves. They have tools, but you can bring your own. If you have been looking for a way to help the environment while making new friends, enjoying nature, and getting a little exercise, then these workdays fit the bill. Jackie Bowland Worden of Bowland & Associates (Biological and Environmental Consulting Services), the restoration manager for HRNA, coordinates the workdays. Contact her at jbworden7@gmail.com.