Fillmore and Sierra High School students have begun a collaborative effort with UCSB and other partners to restore native habitat at the Santa Clara River. This project, funded by a grant from the Community Wetland Restoration Grant Program, will restore native habitat in the area of the Santa Clara River near the School Farm.

Ms. Todis, SHS Laura teacher and Mrs. Huxtable, FHS Science Teacher, and approximately 35 Sierra High School and Fillmore High School students participated in the first restoration work party at the site. Students worked with UCSB faculty to GPS and mark the site, survey existing vegetation and learn to identify native and non-native plants. Students have also began the process of removing arundo, an invasive grass often mistaken for bamboo. The arundo will be used by the Lions Club for a variety of projects.

This ongoing project will involve many members of the community, several colleges and FUSD students throughout the year. Fillmore and Sierra High School students will continue to remove invasive species at this site this fall. In the spring, both high school and elementary students will plant native plants at the site.