Wagon Wheel Creek Mitigation Maintenance Project

Since 2019, Chambers Group has been conducting site maintenance activities in support of upland (coastal sage scrub/oak woodland) and riparian habitat restoration (mitigation) efforts at the Wagon Wheel Creek Restoration Project (Project) site within Riley Wilderness Area, Coto de Caza. Our knowledge of the Project history, understanding of the various micro-mitigation sites, habitat types within the Project site, and non-native plant distribution trends have allowed us to assist the County with progress towards achieving performance objectives and agency acceptance particularly with respect to non-native species cover. Additional tasks performed included irrigation maintenance and repair (reclaimed water), collection of native emergent marsh plant cuttings for pole planting along Waters of the United States, and onsite collection and planting of coast live oak acorns which included the formation of planting basins, installation of exclusionary cages (and shadecloth), and as needed supplemental watering support via water trailer when deep plant specific soaking is required. Our diligent maintenance (e.g., supplemental watering, leaf litter care, and general planting basin [soil] maintenance) and plant health inspections also led to high survivorship of coast live oak tree seedlings. Our crews regularly interact with the public as they traverse adjacent County hiking trails.