After fire events, the land doesn’t always heal in the way we might hope - especially if we leave it to recover on its own. Invasive plants move in quickly, outcompeting native plants and tipping the balance toward fast-growing species that take resources without giving back to the ecosystem. Jurupa Valley, like many communities, faces these challenges, and the Louis Robidoux Parkland and Pecan Grove is no exception.

That’s where we step in. 

This month, we joined forces with the Southern California Mountains Foundation (SCMF) to help nudge the Parkland in the right direction, thanks to their successful acquisition of Wildlife Conservation Board Funds. Together with their Urban Conservation Corps, we prepared four acres for future elderberry thickets, which will provide habitat and food for bugs, birds, and other wildlife. We also planted thirteen willow baccharis (Baccharis salicina) and 25 mixed pole cuttings. These add functional structure to the landscape and reinforce the riparian habitat that countless organisms, both seen and unseen, rely on. 

Restoration isn’t just about adding; it’s also about what’s removed! Invasive weeds, which thrive in disturbed habitats, were carefully cleared away this month to make way for native plants. And because the habitat at LRPPG is shaped not only by plants and wildlife but also by the forces that move through it, we worked with Riverside County Flood Control District to explore solutions for managing the trash and debris that wash into our beloved Sunnyslope Creek from upstream.

The takeaway? Landscapes do not heal overnight. Restoration requires patience, persistence, and partnership. But with each seed planted, each weed removed, and each conversation started, we’re helping LRPPG find its balance again. One step at a time!