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BTN Restoration Projects
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Restoration Services
Back to Natives Restoration is dedicated to the ecologically
sensitive repair and management of ecosystems through habitat
restoration projects. Based on an 'arthro-centric' research
emphasis, Back to Natives investigates arthropods historically
present at the location to be restored and specifically
targets the species of plants associated with those arthropods.
An exhaustive research is initiated through historic data
compiled with CalFlora, Cal Jepson and other resources.
This information is compared against present day species
surveys onsite to determine the most inclusive listing of
species to consider for seeding, and when applicable, container
planting. Not all species are available commercially, and
a real world check will be made to determine availability
previous to recommendations and proposals.
Contact us
or call 949-509-4787 |
| Community
Outreach |
| Restoration projects have been proven to be more successful
when the community is involved. Providing volunteer opportunities
within a restoration project brings the local community
into the installation and implementation stages of the project.
This gives a sense of ownership and partnership to the community
that will be affected or is near the Restoration site.
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| Service
Learning
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Education opportunities are
there for the creating during a Restoration project. Service
learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates
meaningful community service with instruction and reflection
to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility,
and strengthen communities. Back to Native's service learning
program is designed to introduce students to ecological
concepts through field trips and community service. Equipment
and instruction are provided for habitat quality monitoring,
biological assessments, and wildlife surveys. The program
is intended to generate interest in the environment, and
introduce potential careers in the environmental field.
Restoration projects will include, when appropriate, community
outreach and education components. Restoration projects
will provide opportunities for the public to volunteer,
and become involved in the actual process of habitat restoration,
at actual restoration sites.
Niche
Back to Native's niche, our
unique corner of the market, is to serve land managers interested
in restoration projects that incorporate a strong volunteer
and education component. No one else does this. We also
corner the market in providing school garden programs. No
one does this either. We have the knowledge, expertise and
passion necessary to meet our client's needs, and our own
expectations of our work and ourselves.
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USFS and BTN Restoration Volunteer Restoration Training Program |
US Forest Service & Back to NativesRESTORATION is presenting a Volunteer Restoration Training Program on 9 Saturdays in 2009 & 2010. Ecological restoration is a means of sustaining the diversity of life on Earth and reestablishing healthy ecosystems. This program is for those interested in the restoration and conservation of Orange County wildlands.
Successful habitat restoration ensures that native species are protected while non-native species are removed efficiently, and with minimal human impact to the site. This program will acquaint participants with non-chemical, low impact weed removal methods.
For more information or to RSVP contact us or call 949-509-4787.
This training is free. |
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Why our Work is Important
In California,
there are over 5,000 native plant species, more
than in the central and northeastern US and Canada
combined. More than 1500 of these plant species
are endemic to (found only in) California, and most
of these endemic species are found in Southern California.
Southern California is one of the 34 global
biodiversity "hotspots". Hotspots are where the
largest number of different species can be found,
especially those species found nowhere else.
More than 60 percent of the Earth's total species
live in hotspots, which cover only 1.44 percent
of its surface. In California, 20 percent of the
naturally occurring species of amphibians, birds,
reptiles and mammals are classified as endangered,
threatened, or
"of special concern" by the state
or federal government.
Orange County is "a hotspot
within a hotspot", with more native plant species
per square mile than Yosemite National Park. Orange County has over 1200 species of native vascular
plants.*
As the human population grows, many of Orange County's
open spaces are vanishing. Only one percent
of native grasslands, 15 percent of Coastal Sage
Scrub, 15 percent of riparian areas, and 25 percent
of the perennial stream habitat in California is
left. It is imperative that Orange County
residents understand the value of the last remaining
wild places, and protect them from threats of all
kinds.
*From
page 6 of A Checklist of the Vascular Plants of
Orange County, California, second edition, by Fred
Roberts (1998, F.M. Roberts Publications), he lists
1,269 taxa. |
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