Helpers give native plants a fighting chance

Steven Gonzales left for home Sunday afternoon with the battle scars and scrapes of a seasoned wildlife expert. For the last three hours, the La Palma resident spent time from his day off pulling weeds and planting native vegetation in the Newport Beach Upper Back Bay.

He worked hard but was never alone in his endeavors as his co-workers from the Banana Republic all did their part to clear the mess and help new life grow.

Once every quarter the men and women who keep the shirts folded and the shelves stocked at the store in South Coast Plaza choose a charitable event to participate in as a team.

Sunday they decided to trade in the dark cool of the stockroom for the warm sunlight outdoors at the Back Bay, where the group weeded, watered and helped ensure that native plants have a fighting chance at claiming their territory.

"Working together as a team made it more fun," Gonzales said.

Including the Banana Republic group, about 20 volunteers came to the piece of land just off of Santiago Drive and Irvine Avenue as part of 2nd Sundays Restoration projects. That section of land is cared for during the rest of the year by local high school students and needs to be maintained while class is out, Newport Beach Naturalist and Friends volunteer Tom Fox said.

The group watered five plots of new growth for sage grass and prickly pear cactus. Leaves cut off from other cacti simply tossed on the soil will take root and sprout new leaves when watered, Fox said.

"The invasive plant takes up all of the space that native plants need to survive," Fox said. "We clear it several times, little bits each time."

From 9 a.m. to noon on the second Sunday of every month volunteers come down and remove intrusive plants, while also helping native foliage to grow and arrange it so that nature-walk paths can be used without tromping on the vegetation.

"There's a lot of treasures in the grass," said staff manager Bill Sakaske after his group found a few small animal skulls hidden in the brush. "Most people who come down here rocket down past here at 50 mph. This way you get to know the back bay."

Most of what the group weeded out consisted of mustard plant and ice plant. The work will help make room for native willow plants and coastal sage, both of which provide protective covering for local wildlife, Fox said.

Participation is free and tools, gloves, water and snacks were provided.

Call Jennifer Naegele for more information on the next event at (949) 923-2290.