Written by Alaina Sokolski, Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership (SNAP) member at Sequoia Riverlands Trust, September 2024
A primary project that Alaina has been working on is the Wutchumna Ditch mitigation site located at Kaweah Oaks Preserve in Visalia, California. The intent is to mitigate the impact of a single oak tree removal due to a bridge construction. To compensate for the removal of one valley oak tree, 30 new valley oak trees (quercus lobata) were planted by the stewardship team at this site from both acorns and Saplings in early December.
Alongside the oaks, Alaina created a palette of native plant species to plant including gumplant, saltgrass, creeping wildrye, California Wild rose, Redbuds, Yarrow, and Alkali Sacaton. Planting these native species alongside the valley oaks ensures the native biodiversity of the site. Due to the extremely hot summers in the Central Valley where temperatures commonly exceed 110 degrees, irrigation was required to make sure the oak trees and other native plants are adequately receiving enough water. Because of pests like ground squirrels chewing through tubing, irrigation had to be suspended a few feet above ground, and requires weekly monitoring and maintenance to ensure sufficient water distribution. Invasive species removal during weekly monitoring is also a factor in ensuring the mitigation site stays healthy.
Since planting the valley oaks and other native species, the success of the site has been extremely prominent. In particular, valley oaks, gumplant, and yarrow have been growing at an incredible rate. We are so excited to see the progress of the site over time, and are eager for the day where it will be a completely self-sustaining native ecosystem.
Funding for SNAP is supported by Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation’s Nature Fund and Martis Fund – a collaborative project of Martis Camp landowners, DMB/Highlands Group (the developers of Martis Camp), Mountain Area Preservation Foundation (MAP), and Sierra Watch. Sierra Nevada Alliance is a proud grantee of AmeriCorps and California Volunteers, Office of the Governor.
