We are thrilled to share an update on the continuous growth and success of our Growing Space, the native plant nursery vital to our restoration efforts.

For the first 22 years of BCLT Stewards’ restoration of the mesa’s coastal sage scrub and grassland habitats, we relied on native plants purchased from Tree of Life Nursery. The on-site Growing Space began on Feb. 7, 2018, when the first seeds were sown. Initially, the Growing Space was one 20-by-20-foot shade cover housing six 4-by-8-foot plant tables, two worktables, and a water tank. While small, the new on-site nursery immediately proved its worth, producing familiar plants and allowing us to experiment with new ones.

GROWTH AND SUCCESS

The initial success of the Growing Space was clear, and within two years, we expanded. We added another 20-by-20-foot shade cover, tables, and a second water tank, along with dedicated storage for all the tools and supplies necessary for our restoration work. Thanks to the dedication and hard work of our staff and volunteers, the expanded Growing Space quickly began producing all the thousands of native plants required for our restoration projects.

SCALING UP FOR FIRE RESILIENCY

Our focus now includes a major initiative in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to enhance the mesa’s fire resiliency. This new 20-acre project, located just inside the protective fence near the mesa trail, is a natural extension of our 29 years of restoration work. It’s designed to increase biodiversity, fire and climate resiliency, and the inherent beauty of Bolsa Chica.

This critical project, however, requires a significant scaling up of our plant production! For the 2024–2025 season, the Growing Space successfully started approximately 4,000 plants and planted out 3,000 of those. To meet the demands of the new fire resiliency project, however, we’ll have to double those numbers, necessitating another major expansion.

A COMMUNITY-DRIVEN EXPANSION

We are incredibly grateful to a generous donor who provided a $15,000 gift to fund this expansion, and to all the donors who consistently support our restoration work. Their contribution has allowed us to add another shade cover and more tables, with an additional water tank to be installed soon.

Finally, a sincere thank you to the dedicated volunteers and CDFW employees who tackled the dusty and heavy work to make this expansion a reality. Your commitment is invaluable.

We look forward to continuing this vital work with your support!