Wanted: several willing people to help spread mulch in our habitat restoration area by Harkins Slough. The ospreys and turkey vultures will be supervising this fun work day event from 10 am to 1 pm this Saturday. Laura Kummerer (habitat restorationist) and Clare Peabody (restoration intern) will teach you about the native plants that we are trying to reestablish in the grassland habitat as we spread straw over the weedy areas to prevent weed seeds from sprouting.
Harkins Slough is a freshwater wetland habitat that is home to a remarkable array of birds. The hilly areas of our 40 acre farm abut the slough and provide a coastal prairie grassland habitat for various native plants and wildlife. The hillside has a struggling population of endangered Santa Cruz Sunflowers, as well as native bunch grasses that have been largely wiped out by European grasses planted for cattle ranching. Restoring the native plant species increases plant diversity and provides better habitat for the wildlife that historically inhabited these areas.
This should be a fun a
nd educational event and birders will enjoy the excellent location for spotting ospreys, eagles, other birds of prey, and waterfowl like terns, white pelicans, ducks, geese, egrets, and herons. We’ll have water and strawberries on hand for refreshment. We could use about 10 people in our work party, so please e-mail Clare to RSVP if you plan to make it so we know how many to expect.
Strawberry U-Picks are also continuing for this Saturday and the following one. You are welcome to combine the restoration day with a bit of strawberry picking afterwards. There is no need to RSVP for strawberry u-picking and no cover charge. Just pack up the kids and the grandparents and head out to the farm! Hope to see you there.
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