Big Oak Canyon Restoration Project

This project will restore a natural, seasonal tributary that feeds into the perennial Shrewsbury Spring, which flows to Silverado Creek in Orange County’s Silverado Canyon. Objectives include restoring the above ground riparian corridor by clearing the area of invasive plants, transplanting locally sourced native vegetation, implementing ecologically sound erosion control measures, creating a dry-season low impact camping area for school groups, and providing opportunities for hands-on ecological education for volunteers and ongoing education for future visitors. The project will be a collaborative effort in partnership with local nonprofit agencies including Naturalists for You, Orange County Conservation Corps, and Back to Natives Restoration, as well as 400 volunteers from groups including OneOC, Vista Verde Elementary School, Journey School, Earthroots Field School, the Palo Alto Unitarian Universalist Church, Silverado Children’s Center, and Silverado Canyon neighbors.