Kalorama Wetland Restoration and Community Education Project

The Kalorama Wetland is located in Ventura, California at the mouth of a storm drain outlet, which was historically fed by its associated barranca and consisted of meandering streams along the beach. The site has relatively low native plant species richness and high non-native plant species richness. These non-native species are spreading and outcompeting the native plants, further depleting their struggling populations. This proposed project enabled the MERITO Foundation to remove non-native invasive plants and restore native vegetation through community engagement. The MERITO Foundation had staff members prepare for and lead removal events where volunteers removed non-native invasive plant species. During events, removal work were prefaced with a presentation to educate volunteers on various aspects of the project. The MERITO Foundation staff presented information on local wetland ecology and conservation, and the threats posed by non-native and invasive species. The MERITO Foundation staff instructed volunteers on plant identification, methods of non-native plant removal, and methods of native plant propagation and revegetation. The MERITO Foundation also lead a workshop for teachers prior to the revegetation that provided the teachers with curriculum, presentations and online resources focused on Ventura’s wetlands and coastal habitats. The MERITO Foundation’s biologist and GIS specialist mapped the invasive plant coverage using ArcGIS to track progress. Following volunteer events, The MERITO Foundation staff treated invasive plant regrowth in the areas that had invasive plants physically removed. The MERITO Foundation held revegetation events where staff and volunteers broadcasted native plant seed mixes, and installed cuttings and container plants over bare areas where invasive plants were removed. The revegetation provided erosion control, increased habitat value, and provided aesthetic value for the project area.