Strawbale Native Out-planting Miniexperiment

On 13 November 2009 we arainged 8 strawbales to shelter 28 native plants (10 Bacharris piularis, 5 Eriophyllum staechadifolium, 10 Ambrosia chamissonis, and 3 Spergularia macrotheca var. macrotheca). The goal was to arainge the plants both within and adjacent to the bales to protect them from winter winds and from the arrival of "nesty" Western Gulls this comming spring. The bales should prevent wind damage and facilitate the establishment of these plants while providing an alternative source for gull nesting material (instead of the native plants themselves). Once the plants are established, we hope to remove the bales. It is hoped that The high-density outplanting will ultimately be self-sustaining, and, like the original strawbales, will provide a refuge habitat for additional plantings on the island. We'll see. Thanks Jessie Beck for the help bucking bales and planting, and thanks Dave and Kathy for growing the natives.