What we’re monitoring.

Maintenance (Activity Journal).
Changes Over Time (Photos).
Plant Successes and Failures (Diagrams).
Our Experiences (Blog posts).
& more metrics (Coming soon!)

The Test Plot serves several educational functions. First and foremost, it is a site for hands-on learning about our local ecosystems, California native plants, landcare, landscape design and community building. We are also establishing a set of metrics and developing processes to document observations. Each Youth at Work cohort works to evaluate and share back the successes and failures of our plot. We see the plot as an evolving living laboratory, a place to practice community science and monitoring methods that make sense for urban habitat projects.

Maintenance Activity Journal.

Changes over time.

December 07, 2024

Existing site has been used as a staging area for the landfill park and adjacent trails. You can see the horse tie ups, concrete watering trough, and a few picnic tables. There are also 5 newly planted Western sycamore trees and a Mexican fan palm. Datura along the chain link fence adjacent to the Fed Ex parking lot.
February 06, 2025

Vertical Mulch holes to encourage infiltration. We augered every 5’ x 24” deep, filled the holes with mulch and watered the holes before planting.
February 07, 2025

1st Community Planting Day
March 09, 2025

Plot 1 Thematic Urban Wild
Plot 2 Grassland
Plot 3 Chapparal
Plot 4 Coast Sage Scrub
Plot 5 Desert Scrub
Entry Sign Plot
February 07, 2026

1st Birthday! We added about 80 more plants and hosted a community celebration.