SYRCL’s Restoration Season Kicks Off!

It’s that time of year again: restoration season is in full bloom. The race to pull Scotch Broom, the yellow-flowered invasive species plaguing the Sierra Nevada, has begun. We are calling on all river lovers to join us and rid Hoyt’s Crossing of Scotch Broom on Saturday, March 22^nd from 9 am to 2 pm.

SYRCL is proud to be part of the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County’s Scotch Broom Challenge. For the second year in a row, SYRCL will pull Scotch Broom at our adopted site along the trail at Hoyt’s Crossing. Hoyt’s Crossing is a popular swimming hole along the South Yuba River on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land near the Highway 49 Bridge.

• What: Scotch Broom Challenge
• When: March 22^nd, 2013 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
• Where: Hoyt’s Crossing on South Yuba River. Meet in parking lot at Hwy 49 Bridge.
• What to bring: Water, sunscreen, long pants and long sleeves, gloves, and lunch. Some water and snacks will be provided.

The Scotch Broom Challenge day includes a one mile hike into Hoyt’s Crossing on the South Yuba River, a brief introduction to Scotch Broom, including identification and removal strategies, a few hours dedicated to pulling the invasive plant, and a break for lunch.

Please join us in the fight against this invasive weed by coming out for the Scotch Broom Challenge! Contact Adele Rife at adele@syrcl.org if you are interested in participating. To learn more about Scotch Broom and SYRCL’s weed removal initiative, please read last year’s opinion editorial written by Adele Rife, SYRCL’s Restoration Coordinator.

Upcoming Restoration Events in the Yuba Watershed:

The Yuba Watershed Institute (YWI) is hosting an educational event about Aspens and threats to Aspen habitat in the Lassen area by Bobette Jones of the Pacific Southwest Research Station. She will describe the natural history of aspens, the causes of their decline, and the decade of work she has done to restore trembling aspen in their native habitat.

This event will be held in Nevada City on March 7^th, 2014, 7:00-8:30 pm at the Madelyn Helling Library Community Room.

SYRCL and volunteers have been involved locally in restoring Aspen communities throughout the Tahoe National Forest and this summer we will be working in Loney and Rucker Meadows. This talk will be an opportunity to reflect on how Aspen work in other areas is relevant to our local aspen forests. SYRCL will be hosting aspen regeneration workdays in June, July, and August. Stay tuned to get involved!