Invasive Species Removal
Engaging Volunteers and Community Partners in Watershed-Wide Approach
The San Diego River Park Foundation improves the health of habitat along the San Diego River by removing problematic invasive plants. By removing non-native invasive plants, we are clearing the way for native species to reclaim their niche and are creating a healthy environment for the plants and animals that call our river home.
What is an invasive plant?
Invasive plants are species that come from outside our region and cause ecological or economic harm to the environment in which they are introduced.
Invasive plants cause harm by:
- Threatening habitat by disrupting natural ecological processes and causing stress or extinction to local species
- Creating fire hazards
- Creating flooding hazards
- Depleting groundwater by consuming high levels of water along streams and rivers
Learn more by watching our Ins and Outs of Invasives video series!
In partnership with Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County, the City of San Diego, the United States Forest Service, and Back Country Land Trust, we are working on removing invasive plant species around the El Capitan Reservoir, in the upper San Diego River watershed. In particular, this effort targets the following species:
Giant reed Arundo donax |
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Saltcedar Tamarix spp. |
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Mexican fan palm Washingtonia robusta |
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French broom Genista monspessulana |
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Scotch broom Cytisus scoparius |
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Spanish broom Spartium junceum |
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How you can help:
- When you explore natural areas, make sure you clean off hiking gear to avoid spreading invasive plants or pests to new areas
- Remove invasive species from your property
- Plant native plants in your yard or garden
- Become a Preserve Steward volunteer (email us for more information!)
- Take our survey to help inform future work
Take our two-minute survey to be entered for a chance to win an outdoor adventure kit!
Learn More:
- Plants of the Upper San Diego River brochure
- Learn more about the headwaters of the San Diego River with our brochure
Lessons and Activities for Kids
- Be a Habitat Hero! Video lesson and worksheet
- Habitat Invaders worksheet
Funding for this project was provided by California Proposition 84 from the Department of Water Resources in partnership with the San Diego County Water Authority.
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