Walnut Creek Open Space Foundation
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OAK NEWSThe Newsletter of the Oak Habitat Restoration ProjectIssue No. 162 March 15, 2004FIRST TUBEX INSTALLATION DAY, APRIL 3RD --"Spring Discovery Days" ahead! We will check the winter's plantings for seedlings and install tree shelters on the successful sites. This involves opening the screen cylinder, carefully removing grass and weeds to see if any oak seedlings are present. The oak seedling stem has a different, stiffer, feel than the grass and weeds, even before leaves show..If you're not an old hand at this, read the directions! And/or watch a demonstration. It's not high science, but needs thought. On April 3rd meet at the usual Lime Ridge location: the rough gravel parking lot above the large Boundary Oak Golf Course parking lot. Take Ygnacio Valley Road to Oak Grove. Turn south on Oak Grove, then left at the 3rd stop sign, Valley Vista, which takes you to Boundary Oak. At the far end of the large lot drive up the narrow lane beyond the driving range and turn right at the top of the slope to the meeting location. RESULTS OF MAINTENANCE DAY, MAR 13TH —We enjoyed a gorgeous day with firm trails most everywhere. In fact, we could use some rain now. Just 5 were present, Harvey Ceaser, Dick Daniel, Lesley Hunt, Ralph Kraetsch and Stuart Mangini. Fortunately, Dave Caniglia had checked quite a bit the area earlier so we were able to finish the entire area.ROSE FOUNDATION GRANT —We are most happy to announce that the Project has received a grant of $2,500 for the coming year's expenses. This will cover all our materials as well as Oak News! This is a wonderful happening for the Project and the Walnut Creek Open Space Foundation. We hope to see Rose folks at some of our activities.WEED ABATEMENT UPDATE —We have recently started the 2004 weed program. The first effort targeted the thistle crop in the Ginder Gap area of Shell Ridge. Checking the area a few days later showed abundant withering of milk and Italian thistle as well as early yellow star thistle.We plan some early mowing of black mustard to see if the early cutting causes it to sprout from the base. If so, we'll have to wait for more maturity. If successful, however, it will give the sickle bar mower lots of good mowing time. We can't use the sickle bar mower on the mature black mustard because the long stalks fall over the air intake which can damage the engine. The herbicide part of the weed abatement work is generally done when there is at least one day without rain predicted after application. Most of the weed program takes place on week days as our spring weekends are largely taken with oak work, hikes, and other open space activities. If you are available during the week, and would like to participate, please let us know at 939-6610 and we'll include you on our email announcements. We'll train you in the field. OPEN SPACE ACTIVITIES —Jerry Fritzke's wildflower hikes:Shell Ridge on 4/10 and 5/22 Fossil Hill on 3/20 and 5/1 Borges Ranch on 3/27 and 5/15 Lime Ridge on 4/17, 5/8 and 5/29 Call Jerry at 934-1161 for meeting location and time. Maury Stern's bird walk, 4/11, 830 AM at the Valley Vista trailhead to Lime Ridge. (daylight savings time) Walk of 4 miles, 3 hours, will reach top of Lime Ridge. Ranger Bruce's programs: info at 944-5766 Plants of Acalanes Preserve, 4/4, 200 PM Sousa Dr. entrance. Useful Plants of Lime Ridge, 4/11 200 PM Why Is It Called Mt. Diablo?, 5/8, 900 AM Rich Fudala's Hike above Borges Ranch, 5/15, 900 AM & 1100 AM, at the ranch. Trail Day 4/24, 800 AM, Sunburst Ct. entr to Shell Ridge. Lunch at Sugarloaf. Tentative Project Calendar — Tubex installation, 4/03, 4/17, 5/01, 5/15 Watering, 5/29, 6/26, 7/24, 8/21, 9/18 Acorn Harvest, (tent) 9/4, 9/11, poss 9/18 * * * * * * * A red check on your mailing label indicates that this is your last issue of Oak News, UNLESS you notify us that you would like to continue. We welcome your continued interest. * * * * * * * The Oak Habitat Restoration Project is sponsored by the Walnut Creek Open Space Foundation and the Open Space Division of the City of Walnut Creek. Ralph Kraetsch, Editor Phone 939-6610 |