Preserving the legacy of Bay Area Action’s environmental work from 1990–2000 and beyond.
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Restoring Nature, Restoring Hope
To many of us, the brilliant yellow blossoms of acacia trees in January are a welcome reminder that spring is just around the corner. A forest floor carpeted in ivy or periwinkle seems a picture of vibrant, healthy nature. The prolific yellow flowers of French broom brighten many a roadside, while pampas grass lends its strong architectural foliage and magnificent flowering plumes to many California hillsides.
Each of these plants adds visual interest and diversity to the landscapes of the Bay Area, but each is also a serious threat to the survival and integrity of native ecosystems. These plants are known as invasive, non-native species.
Invasive, non-native species are plants and animals that have established themselves in different environments than those in which they evolved. Because their natural enemies don't exist in these adopted environments, nonnative species often proliferate so successfully that they crowd out naturally occurring native species. ivy let loose in a redwood forest will not only outcompete the woodland wildflowers of the forest floor, but will even climb the tallest trees. At the top of the canopy, ivy then spreads its tendrils and leaves, shading out the trees beneath. Meanwhile, its roots rob the tree of nutrients and water. Like a grim retelling of the David and Goliath story, ivy can slowly destroy an entire stand of massive redwoods.
The replacement of native plant species with invasive exotics can have a ripple effect throughout the ecosystem. Most insects, birds, and other animals have adapted to use relatively few plant species for food, shelter, and nest sites. A loss of their preferred species can result in their decline or even extinction. If a sufficient number of species are eliminated, or even a few “keystone” species, the whole ecosystem can collapse.
It is well known that California is losing its native species to urbanization and other human activities. But biologists now believe that the loss of habitat to nonnative species may rival urbanization as a threat to biodiversity. The Endangered Species Act is a valuable tool in alerting us to the fact that species will soon be lost forever, unless something is done immediately. In California, 117 animal species are listed as endangered or _threatened and many more are declining. To recover endangered species and prevent the endangerment of others, habitat must be restored — and removing non-native plants and-animals is one very important step in habitat restoration.
Restoration is good for the body, mind and soul.
There are thousands of exotic plant species taking over native California habitats. A few are especially invasive and threaten our local wildlands.
Native California coastal scrub and grassland habitats include native species such as purple needlegrass, California sage, lupines and coyote bush. But, throughout the Bay Area, these habitats are being overrun by French broom and pampas grass. The loss of these native plant communities has resulted in the decline of related animal species, including the endangered San Bruno elfin and mission blu.e butterflies.
Even the majestic and mystical redwood forests are not immune to the infestation of exotic plants. English and German ivy are two very destructive species that take over and smother forest plants.
Over 95% of California's historic riparian (streamside) habitat has been destroyed by agriculture, grazing and development. The remainder is threatened by competition from non-native plants such as ivy and giant reed grass. Ivy attacks plants .on the upper bank, while giant reed grass forms solid stands at the waterline.
For the 25th anniversary of Earth Day, a large coalition of groups was organized by Peter Drekmeier to restore local wildlife habitats. Volunteers removed invasive non-native plants, performed creek clean-ups, restored marshland, and created burrowing owl habitat.
Wednesday, April 19, 1995
7 to 9:30pm
Palo Alto City Hall
Anna Eshoo moderated a panel discussion with environmentalists and local political, civic, and business leaders regarding the Endangered Species Act and other environmental concerns. The panel included author Anne Ehrlich, Stanford Law Professor Buzz Thompson and San Jose State Professor Lynne Trulio. They will also address questions from the audience.
April 22 and 23
Various locations (see above)
Saturday, April 22, 1995
7 to 10pm
Palo Alto Baylands Nature Interpretive Center
Great eats — a wonderful variety of food that illustrated how our eating choices affect the environment. Live music — the African rhythms of Bole Bantu.
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