Stone Canyon Creek at UCLA - Rediscovering a Natural Resource

for Los Angeles Basin & Bay

Scientific Environmental Assessment

•Increase connectivity between academic researchers in a range of fields and the agencies, citizen groups and other stakeholders dedicated to restoration of Los Angeles’ natural environments. •Serve as a hub to increase communication and cooperation between scientists, policy makers and the public.

Raphael Sagarin, Ph.D. sagarin@ucla.edu 310-794-4904

Current Partners & Advisors:• UCLA Institute of the Environment: Mary Nichols, Rich Ambrose,

Keith Stolzenbach

• UCLA: Travis Longcore, Hart Walter

• UCLA Facilities: Jack Powalzek, Michael O’Hara

• Heal the Bay: Stream Team, Mark Abramson

• Ballona Creek Watershed Taskforce: Jessica Hall

• Environmental Bruins: Sean Hoppes

N

1929

N

1933

Loye Miller field note cards provided by Travis Longcore

Loye Miller field note cards provided by Travis Longcore

Loye Miller field note cards provided by Travis Longcore

Loye Miller field note cards provided by Travis Longcore

Today

Re-introduce the creek: • into long-term planning for UCLA• for educational purposes• to the greater community and watershed• as a natural feature in other parts of campus

• Replant with native vegetation

• improve bank stability

• improve vertical habitat structure

• free strangled oaks and bays

Remove Preserve Replant

Hedera helix, English Ivy Quercus agrifolia, Coast Live Oak Umbellularia californica, California Bay

Vinca major, Bigleaf periwinkle Platanus racemosa, Western Sycamore

Ribes speciosa, Fuscia flowering gooseberry

Tropaeolum majus, Nasturtium Umbellularia californica California Bay

Rubus ursinus, California Blackberry

Ulmus parvifolia, Chinese Elm Prunus ilicifolia, Hollyleaf Cherry Juglans californica, California walnut

Washingtonia filifera, Mexican Fan Palm Nassella pulchra, Purple needle grass

Delairea odorata, Cape Ivy Salix lasiolepis, Arroyo Willow

Lepidium latifolium, Pepperweed Alnus rhombifolia, White Alder

Bougainvillea sp. Artemisia douglasiana, Mugwort

Myoporum parvifolium Baccharis salicifolia, Mulefat

Salvia spathacea, Hummingbird sage

Ribes aureum Golden currant

Rosa californica, California wild rose

Watershed Benefits:

• One of the last remaining natural creeks in Ballona Watershed

• Improved habitat for birds, amphibians

• Demonstration for UCLA’s new Sustainability Initiative

Educational Opportunities & Outreach:• UCLA Undergraduate Ecology

• University Elementary School

• Community based restoration

• Facilities best practices

Stream of Dreams?

Upstream

The Future?

Downstream