FT 15: The Arroyo, Arundo, and an Increasing Presence of Beetles

Thursday, August 5, 2021

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM Pacific

Session Organizer(s)

Anisha Malik

Michael Baker International
Santa Ana, CA, USA

Volunteer(s)

Andrea Valcarcel Abud

Trip Itinerary: Tentative Itinerary:
1. We will start with showing a short drone flight spanning the project and photo comparisons of the site's progress over the years. The following stops will incorporate videos taken at various sections of the project to highlight the different topical areas.
2. Background of the multiple habitat types found on site and the methodology used for implementation.
3. Monitoring protocol and changes we've been seeing since implementation. We will discuss how we are looking to incorporate more drone work in future restoration projects.
4. Challenges tied to restoration of the creek and introduction of ISHB. We will discuss local collaborators in developing a protocol for our site.
5. Overall successes for the project will be discussed and trends noticed throughout five years of monitoring.
6. We will end the field trip discussing how we've engaged the local community and recommendations for getting more support. This would then open it up to discussion and Q&A.

Arundo donax (Arundo) is a prominent invasive species found within the watersheds of Southern California. For the field trip, we will visit a restoration project in Orange County, California intended to reestablish aquatic resource area and function in sections of Arroyo Trabuco Creek that were previously overrun by Arundo. Currently in its fifth year of monitoring, we will walk through the methodology for the project implementation and challenges that have developed throughout the program. Some of these challenges include the introduction of ISHB, and we will discuss our approach to understanding its effects on our restoration project.
While there can be many variables to restoration projects, we also will highlight the benefits we are already seeing within a short period of time. We will also recommend programs to get more community support with restoration projects.