The La Honda Voice

San Gregorio Beach Cleanup Sat. April 23rd

Saturday, April 23^rd is Earth Day cleanup at San Gregorio State Beach from 9-11am. Join your friends and neighbors, bring your kids, and play a part in keeping our beautiful area beautiful! Parking is free for volunteers. Bring your own bucket, reusable gloves, and sturdy shoes for a fun day at the beach. Dress in layers as it can be chilly but bring sunglasses and sunscreen just in case! The San Gregorio Environmental Resource Center (SGERC) sponsors this event as part of the Adopt-A-Beach program, and will have extra garbage bags and gloves for anyone who needs them. We’ll sort recyclables from the trash and properly dispose of everything.

This is a fun event for the whole family, and you’ll find that cleaning up the beach and the picnic and parking areas provides instant gratification.  You’ll also learn valuable and potentially life-saving information about beach safety. SGERC, in partnership with State Parks, holds cleanup events each year in April, July and September as part of the Adopt-A-Beach and Coastal Cleanup Day programs. Please join us this April!

Sept. 18th is Coastal Cleanup Day - Be the Cigarette Butt Champion!

San Gregorio Environmental Resource Center (SGERC) invites you to join us at San Gregorio State Beach on Coastal Cleanup Day, September 18th from 9:00 - 12:00.  This is an annual event sponsored by the California Coastal Commission, San Mateo County Environmental Health, Ocean Conservancy and many others. Each year thousands of pounds of trash and recyclables are removed from our beaches, parks, schools, and neighborhoods by volunteers like you.

This will be an outdoor event, but since we’re still in COVID times, we’ll be taking extra precautions to keep everyone safe and distant. Please bring masks, gloves, sturdy shoes, sunscreen and layered clothing as the weather can be unpredictable. We encourage the use of reusable materials for the event, such as buckets, water bottles, and sturdy gloves, but can provide bags and gloves if needed. We’ll have plenty of water to keep you hydrated and hand cleaner and sanitizer.

Volunteers are encouraged to work in pairs with one picking up trash while the other records the data. This record allows the state to know how best to allocate resources to fight pollution in our streams and oceans. In the past, items of concern have been Styrofoam and plastics. This year the focus will be on tobacco products, with prizes for collecting the most cigarette butts or other tobacco products. We’ll also have info about the safe consumption of fish for people of all ages, the current Seafood Watch for the West Coast, and how to safely dispose of household hazardous waste. Parking is free for volunteers, and young people are welcome!

SGERC’s activities include a monthly stream monitoring program in the watershed (now in its 20th year), a Watershed Education Program with our elementary schools, litter removal on Hwy. 84, and pampas/jubata grass removal throughout La Honda and San Gregorio.

If you're interested in participating in any of these projects, or know of ways to further enhance the health of our beautiful watershed, please send an email to Neil Panton at [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you at the beach!

More info at:

www.sgerc.org

https://www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/ccd/cleanup/ - /map

Go With the Flow! Barriers to Fish Passage

This is the season Steelhead (and hopefully Coho) swim upstream to the reach where they spawned so they can create a new generation of fish. Nature has a wonderful way of keeping the streams flowing and clear of debris so this cycle continues. Unfortunately, the cycle can be disrupted by a variety of events. Sometimes weak winter storm flows aren’t strong enough to clear fallen trees or branches and create a passage. Other times human beings interfere with the natural process.

It’s a time-honored tradition for young folks to play in the creek; skip stones, wade in the water, swim in the pools, and build dams. Thankfully most of these activities are not too disruptive to the ecosystem, but creating and leaving dams or obstructions in the flow are extremely harmful. This is especially true in “low flow” situations such as we’re experiencing this year. There’s hardly enough water in many places for these beautiful 20” – 24” fish to struggle upstream from the ocean to their birthplace, and they can be completely stopped by any barriers.

Artificial dams have been a recurring issue in the stretch of La Honda Creek flowing past the Playbowl area. It’s not surprising this is a popular place to play and hang out. It’s a natural get-away for adults and youngsters alike. The volunteers from SGERC (San Gregorio Environmental Resource Center) that monitor the stream systems in the San Gregorio watershed have often had to break up artificial dams in the flow which can be just an inch or two deep some years. We’d like to get the word out to parents and young people about the importance of keeping the flow going! If you move rocks around in the stream (not a great idea for many reasons), be sure to remove any barriers before you leave the area.

This is a great opportunity to enlighten your friends, students, neighbors, and children about how they can help keep our environment healthy, and how innocent actions can sometimes create a significant threat to our wildlife.

With gratitude from the fish and the community volunteers of SGERC.

The Pampas Fighters are Back

After a nearly three year hiatus, our team of intrepid volunteers gathered in Cuesta La Honda to tackle new and old pampas/jubata grass plants. Evidence of the heroic work this group has done is the absence of hundreds of plants along Highway 84, Stage Rd and in Cuesta. Not that plants haven’t crept up here and there, but with many people alert to the baby plants as they sprout up, they are quickly removed. There are still a number of plants on private property that continue to bloom, but we have managed to control the roadways and public areas.

This year it was time to revisit La Honda proper, and the several hotspots known to us from previous years. A scouting trip was planned to take inventory and develop a game plan. We re-affirmed our permission to remove or control plants on Guild property and spoke with several landowners for their permission. Though this grass is considered a beautiful ornamental by many (myself included), there are other varieties available that are not invasive and equally beautiful. Workdays were scheduled for mid-October and early November.

This was a little late in the season to tackle the plants as seeds were already starting to fly off and disperse. Careful handling of the flowers kept distribution to a minimum as the plumes were bagged. The rest of the foliage was trimmed with a hedge trimmer and pick-axes were used to dig up and overturn the shallow root ball.

More than 30 plants were removed, and plumes removed from half a dozen more. Some plants are so large and difficult to reach it can be a multi-year project to remove them entirely. One strategy is to control the seeds each year in the fall until the plants either die or are removed. Another strategy is to return to the plants every month or two and keep all new growth trimmed away. The plants eventually give up. This is particularly effective on steep slopes and areas where erosion is an issue and removal of the plants could cause problems. The plants don’t flower, but the roots remain in the soil holding things together.

If you are interested in joining us on future adventures, or would like info about non-invasive ornamental grasses, please contact Neil Panton at (650) 726-2499 or [email protected].

“San Gregorio Starfish” – our group cleanup name

It’s a little incongruous to think about litter removal in the midst of a pandemic following a frightening wildfire evacuation, but it might bring a little normalcy back to your life. As the air quality continues to improve, it might be good to get outdoors and participate in this year’s “any day in September” cleanup event. Please monitor AirNow or PurpleAir before going outside for extended periods. See links below.

Rather than gather in a large group, cleanup will be all of September and utilize the CleanSwell app to log and submit data. Clean up around your house, your neighborhood, or a nearby trail or park. Pretty simple. It’s a cool app, and can be used all year long to help the Ocean Conservancy track trends in litter. The information helps their efforts to bring available resources and funding to the most critical areas.

Check out the short video for Coastal Cleanup 2020 - https://youtu.be/-Zg7AfmIesI, and register with me (your local team captain). Search for Coastal Cleanup Day at smchealth.org, or use the link here: https://www.smchealth.org/general-information/coastal-cleanup-day

Next, download the CleanSwell app to get started. It's fun and easy to use. Create an account and use the group name “San Gregorio Starfish” to keep our data together in the database. When done with your cleanup, be sure to hit “Submit” so the data will be uploaded to the Ocean Conservancy. You do not need to have wifi or cell connection at the time, the data will be uploaded automatically once you’re within wifi or cell range.

It’s easiest to go out in pairs – one person picking up litter, the other doing the logging. It’s a great activity for families. If you‘d like help with the CleanSwell app or need supplies or trash pickup, contact me: Neil Panton; [email protected] or by phone (650) 726-2499.

https://www.airnow.gov/?city=La%20Honda&state=CA&country=USA

https://www.purpleair.com/map?opt=1/mAQI/a10/cC0&select=4343#11.37/37.3114/-122.2393

Local Cleanup in September

Safe and Local

September marks the 36th annual California Coastal Cleanup. This year, rather than meeting up at public events throughout the state on a single date, cleanups will happen throughout the month. Clean up any day and time that works for you.

Cleanups will be self-guided and close to home. Local parks, shores, creeks, streets, sidewalks, drainage areas, natural areas, and trails are good choices. Participants must practice physical distancing and strictly follow both local ordinances and the set of guidelines provided on the California Coastal Commission website. Safety first! 

Although the cleanup model will be different in 2020, it will still be an effective, educational, community-building event. Trash within our neighborhoods will become the trash polluting our coast once the rains come.

CleanSwell App and Data Keeping

Download CleanSwell Here

We need your help to record your participation and your diligence to collect data on all litter you remove. Data will be collected primarily through the CleanSwell app for smartphones, or you can download the paper data card: English/Spanish. Please count every piece of trash you collect! Reporting thoroughly and accurately will help put together a more complete picture of Coastal Cleanup 2020. For help downloading or using the CleanSwell app, contact our local coordinator, Neil Panton.

Connecting with your Coordinator

Neil Panton will be your Local Coordinator and your contact for learning about local conditions and how to report results. Neil can help you with the CleanSwell app, arrangements for any supplies you may need (trash bags, gloves, etc.), and retrieval of trash in case you collect too much to handle in your regular trash. He may also have suggestions for some hotspots that need attention. Contact Neil at [email protected]  or call (650) 726-2499.

Since the CleanSwell app is a new addition this year, a primer on its use will be in next month’s Voice. It’s very handy and easy to use and can be used all year long whenever you do a cleanup!

Beach Cleanup July 13th in San Gregorio

Join us for beach cleanup at San Gregorio State Beach Saturday, July 13th from 9-11am. Bring your own bucket and gloves, or we can provide if you prefer. Dressing in layers is recommended, and bring sturdy shoes or rubber boots. Everyone who participates in this event leaves with a big smile on their face. It's great for young and old. Parking is free for all volunteers. Help keep our beach beautiful!!

 

San Gregorio Beach Cleanup Sat. April 27th

Saturday, April 27th from 9am-12 will be a cleanup day at San Gregorio State Beach. Join your friends and neighbors, bring your kids, and play a part in keeping our beautiful area beautiful! Parking is free for volunteers, and SGERC (San Gregorio Environmental Resource Center) will sort all the trash and recyclables. Bring re-usable buckets and gloves, dress in layers and bring sunglasses and sunscreen just in case! We'll have extra garbage bags and gloves for anyone who needs them.

This is always a fun event and provides instant gratification.  SGERC, in partnership with State Parks, will hold cleanup events each year in May, July and September as part of the Adopt-A-Beach program. We look forward to seeing you there!

Sept. 15th Coastal Cleanup Day at San Gregorio State Beach!!

Join us Saturday, September 15^th 9am - 12noon at San Gregorio State Beach to help clean up our local beach. Each year volunteers remove hundreds of pounds of trash and recyclables.

Parking has always been free for cleanup volunteers. Bring sturdy shoes or boots, layered clothing, sunscreen, and the whole family!  We encourage plastic buckets, reusable water bottles, and heavy gloves for cleanup, but we'll have plenty of supplies on hand.

There are additional cleanup locations along the coast and inland.  Visit smc health (https://www.smchealth.org/general-information/coastal-and-bay-cleanup-day) to find more information about the event and cleanup sites.

San Gregorio Environmental Resource Center (SGERC) is proud to have been site captain for cleanup at the beach since 2003. SGERC has also assisted in cleanup efforts at Pomponio and Tunitas Creeks. The organization adopts a stretch of highway on Hwy 84, keeping that area clear of trash since 2007. SGERC has also been removing invasive plants such as pampas/jubata grass and stinkwort since 2016. To find out more about SGERC, call their office at (650) 726-2499, or visit their website sgerc.org. 

New Invasive in Town!

Now that the Kick Pampass sheriffs have rounded up most of the Jubata plants in town, a new invasive has arrived to challenge the authorities. Dittricia graveolens (aka Stinkwort) is rapidly moving onto roadsides and pastures all around the Peninsula. Stinkwort is a short, yellow-flowered annual blooming in late Sept.-Oct.

Few plants have been spotted in La Honda or San Gregorio, but the Pampas team has turned its attention to identifying and removing Stinkwort before it gains a toehold in our area. One local horse pasture with a sizeable infestation is being tackled by the owner and our team this month, hopefully before the plants flower. Even now, the horses get sticky foliage on them causing issues with their hair.

A native of southern Europe, Stinkwort grows to about 3 ft. tall with sticky and aromatic foliage. These invasives take advantage of disturbed soils, roadsides, overgrazed pastures, drained wetlands, washouts, service line corridors, etc. Removal is quite easy either by cutting or pulling (in soft soil) or using a rogue hoe or pick axe. If cut or pulled before flowering, the plant can be composted in place and will not return the following year. Once buds have formed, all plants should be bagged since viable seeds will still develop from the pulled plants. The life of the seeds is about 2 years.

Be on the lookout, and either remove plants yourself, or report to the appropriate authorities (in this case, San Gregorio Environmental Resource Center [email protected] or 650 726-2499). As always, feel free to contact us for assistance in removal of Pampas, Jubata or Stinkwort on your property or volunteer to join our team. Our enthusiastic volunteers love seeing native plants have a chance to thrive in the San Gregorio watershed.