Ongoing Projects

Mountain Communities Wildfire ReLeaf

                       

Since 2004 ReLeaf volunteers, partnering with the

Mojave Desert Resource Conservation District staff

and the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

have planted over 125,000 seedlings on several hundred acres

of land in the mountain communities.

 

The Mojave Desert RCD continues to oversee the reforestation effort in the San Bernardino Mountain area devastated by the 2003 wildfires and bark beetle decimation.  The goal of the ReLeaf program is to create a mixed conifer/hardwood forest with all native species spaced in a fashion that provides for a healthy forest.  Erosion control in these areas will protect the waterways and natural resources as well as the neighboring properties from runoff and sediments.  These plantings will also provide different types of food and cover for the variety of wildlife in the forest.

The majority of the funding for this project is received through a grant with American Forests.  Once again American Forest has funded ReLeaf for the 2008-planting season.  As technical advisor and financial sponsor, the Califoarnina Department of Forestry plays an important role in the project.  This project also makes native trees available to residents in the San Bernardino Mountains through the local retail nurseries.

Many acres of land have been prepared for the 2008 plantings.  Approximately 25,000 seedlings were purchased from CDF Magalia Nursery and will be planted at designated sights in the San Bernardino Mountains during the spring of 2008.  These seedlings were propagated at California Department of Forestry Magalia Nursery where the seeds have been previously collected in the burned areas as well as current cone crops.  Media coverage continues to improve.  Over the past 4 years the ReLeaf program has received very positive press coverage in the form of both television reports and newspaper articles.  Currently ReLeaf has made a giant step into more media coverage and radio coverage in the Inland Empire, with the Press Enterprise taking the active role of traveling with the volunteers on our recent 2008 Season Kick Off, where 60 volunteers showed up to plant 900 seedlings in one session.  Also during the recent 2008 Season Kick Off, actor, Matthew Modine, followed along to capture the process of ReLeaf in photos, which will be used for an upcoming American Forest fundraiser in New York City.  The ReLeaf concept is continuing to garner public support, which has led to further inquiries for volunteerism.  In 2007 the project gained new partnerships with volunteer and philanthropy groups, such as the United Way and John Paul Mitchell Studios.  Volunteers from all over Orange, Riverside, LA and San Bernardino Counties now participate in our ongoing plantings for 2008.

ReLeaf was on exhibit at the local Running Springs Mountain Top Days event in early August 2007 - attendance at this event was approximately 750 people or more.  Our project coordinator, Cheryl Nagy, and CDF/CAlFire were also on exhibit at the annual Pine cone Festival in October 2007.  ReLeaf now plays an important role in all public meetings and workshops being held to help in the recovery process after the Grass Valley and Slide fires of October 2007.

Partners involved in this project include:  California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services, Arrowhead Lake Association, Mountain Rim FSC, Arrowhead Communities FSC, Big Bear Valley FSC, Lake Arrowhead Communities Chamber of Commerce, Running Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, Lake Arrowhead Community Service District, Inland Empire Resource Conservation District, American Forests Global ReLeaf, California ReLeaf, Municipal Advisory Committee, MAST, Southern California Edison, US Forest Service, and Desert-Mountain Resource Conservation and Development.

 

Visit our website at  www.mountaincommunitiesreleaf.org

Or contact - Cheryl Nagy, Project Coordinator @ (951)323-1253

 



Mojave River Invasive Weed Control Program

One of the Mojave Desert Resource Conservation District’s (RCD) primary objectives over the next few years will be removal of Tamarix ramosissima (tamarisk), also known as salt cedar, Arundo donax (arundo), and Elaeagnus angustifolia L. (Russian-olive) within the Mojave River.

The RCD will contract with experienced firms for a majority of the work (a three-year contract period will include follow-up treatments).

Objectives/Benefits

1. Implement the Mojave Basin Area Judgment (improve riparian habitats, maintain ground/surface water saturation at root zone, increase downstream flows).

2. Reduce evapo-transpiration of ground and surface waters (water conservation).

3. Reduce salt deposition in the riverbed (water quality).

4. Reduce wildfire potential.

5. Keep channels open – reduce debris damming and severity of flooding, etc.

Priority Locations

Eradication will begin at the furthermost upstream segments to the extent possible in order to stem seed spread from flooding, birds, and wind. However, removal will occur at any location along the river where permits and “priority” conditions exist.

 For more details click on the link below.

Salt Cedar, Arundo, and Russian-olive Control

 

Mojave Weed Management Area (WMA)

The Mojave WMA cooperates and coordinates activities necessary for the prevention and control of weeds in the Mojave Desert. The emphasis of these activities is focused on the prevention of weeds, and their expansion, through education and control.

The Mojave Weed Management Area's goals are:

For more details click on the website below.

Mojave Weed Management Area Website